THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 13, 1996 TAG: 9609130588
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY JEFF ZEIGLER, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: KILL DEVIL HILLS LENGTH: 40 lines
The flag football game at Dare County Recreation Park on Saturday is the first ever, but it's an intense rivalry.
Members of the U.S. Coast Guard stationed at Oregon Inlet and U.S. Air Force personnel at the Stumpy Point Bombing Range will play at noon. The winner will get bragging rights for a year - if the event becomes an annual affair.
``The guys at our station, all they're talking about is the game,'' said Dean Smith, with the Coast Guard at Oregon Inlet. ``We've had about three practices where we've tried running and passing plays. We actually thought about getting a trophy.''
Smith said the Coast Guard initiated the game.
``We just called over there and asked them if they wanted to play a game and they said, `yeah,''' Smith said. ``We've never really done anything with them and we wanted to interact with them. We wanted to get the two agencies together in this type of atmosphere.''
The rules of flag football are similar to those of a regular football game. There are offensive and defensive teams of 11 players. The only difference is that instead of tackling the ball carrier, the defensive team has to grab a flag.
The contest will look more like a scheduled event than a pickup game. The Coast Guard station in Elizabeth City has donated yard markers and first down sticks, and Carolina Telephone has loaned cones to mark the soccer field like a football field.
``If we get beat, at least it will look kind of like a football field,'' Smith joked.
The event will also provide a chance for members of the two defense agencies to mingle. About 60 service members and their families are expected to attend the game and cookout.
``We're just trying to get the two of us together,'' Smith said. ``We'd like it to be some sort of continued activity whether it be football or volleyball or basketball.'' by CNB