Veterans prevails in defensive struggle

WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — The area tournament for flag football got under way this week, and with Warner Robins and Westside battling for the championship, Veterans and Northside squared off to see who would take home third place. The game quickly turned into a defensive struggle, as neither team could get much going on offense.

Considering it was around 40 degrees at kickoff time, it seemed like the weather was a factor in both games, as all four teams struggled with their offensive production. With a record of 4-1 in region play, Veterans has had an excellent season. They came into the game 7-4 overall, and they improved to 8-4 after the victory over Northside, who also had a great season. Coming in with a 6-5 record, Northside has had some tough losses, including a heartbreaker in the season opener to Westside, the area champion, 21-19.

Late in the second quarter, Veterans managed to pin Northside deep in their own territory, and the defense got pressure. Northside couldn’t get out of the end zone, and Veterans got the safety to go up 2-0. That was the only score in this one, and it was enough to give Veterans the victory.

“The girls did a good job,” Veterans Coach Khayla Owens said, after the game. “The defense had a great performance out there. The offense did what they were supposed to do — they dropped two balls, but overall we executed our plan, and it worked out, somehow.”

Veterans also lost a close game to Westside in the first round of the area tournament, 9-8, which allowed Westside to move on to the championship game. After losing every game last year and going 0-8, Veterans has really turned things around this season.

Coach Khayla Owens has the team in a great position, and they, along with Northside, will head into the playoffs next week. This team has talent, and if they get hot in the playoffs, they can go deep. Their great defense allows them to hang around, and if they can get the offense going, they will be a force to be reckoned with in the playoffs.

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