MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. --
The Benchwarmers were feeling the heat as Hashtag Thuggaz
center, Johnathan Becker, hiked the ball to quarterback, Roytre Hill, who ran
50-yards to secure the win in the 2nd annual Turkey Bowl flag football
tournament.
Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2 hosted eleven teams from
various squadrons here during the tournament.
The double-elimination match-up allowed the Marines
throughout 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point a
chance to meet fellow Marines and ring in the Thanksgiving season with good,
wholesome competition. The games also gave the Marines a break from the
day-to-day grind.
The Benchwarmers defeated its competition throughout the
double-elimination tournament but their fire flickered when the Hashtag Thuggaz
proved that teamwork was the key to winning it all.
“The first game we lost was our nail biter experience,” said
Hill, a sergeant with Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2. “We went to sudden
death overtime and couldn’t pull it out; the entire team didn’t want to lose
again.”
Motivated by their loss, Hashtag Thuggaz made their way to
the finals where two were they faced the undefeated Benchwarmers.
“We wanted to win something that our unit could be proud
of,” said Hill. “This was VMU-2’s first time ever winning the Turkey Bowl. It
felt great. Everyone on the team stood behind one another as if we were headed
into combat – no fear, just sheer will to win. ”
Although the Marines played for bragging rights, no team
left disgruntled and all were excited for next year’s game.
“Even though we lost, we are eager to play next year and
take it all,” said Benchwarmers captain Cameron King. “It was a great game.”
The Marines played a fantastic game, said Sgt. Maj. Thomas
Foster, the sergeant major of MWHS-2.
“Getting all the units together for a competition is always
a good time,” said Foster. “The Marines were professional and they competed
well.”
Foster thanked the Marines for a great turnout and
recommended the Marines get ready for next year.