Bringing home two trophies is not too bad for a flag football team that considered bowing out during the pre-season Captain’s Cup tournament. They looked sketchy at best in the beginning, with minimal participation at games and practices, as well as minor injuries plaguing the players that were consistently showing up to play. 

The team was just large enough to play iron-man style football, but they proved that heart and determination were all that was needed to win games. Thus they didn’t fold the team.

CNATT Unit entered the regular season competition with a pre-season record of 2-2, and a roster that continued to grow as players healed. The team really came together during the first half of the season, and was one of the few teams to beat as they went undefeated in September.  That being said, they saw the other half of the story in October, suffering four losses.

The heart and determination was still there, along with a few new components:  high winds, rain, and one 80-yard long mud puddle, referred to as Field One.  There is something to be said about sliding face-first through the mud with one’s feet in the air, or standing in three inches of water and mud, waiting for the football to be snapped. 

The weather proved to be an equalizer out on the playing field, as average scores for many teams began to drop. Night games and low temperatures became common as the season progressed. None of these things stopped the team from finishing the season with a record of 8-4, and earning a spot in the annual Captain’s Cup tournament held here on base, as well as the division I/II NOR-PAC tournament held in Everett.

Once again, CNATT Unit was the underdog, having to face teams that were younger and faster. Against the odds, CNATT Unit was able to do great things at the Captain’s Cup tournament. They upset a good AIMD team with their first of two wins and ultimately, took home the second place trophy, after losing to the VP-40 Aircrew team.

At NOR-PAC, CNATT Unit again surprised many people by upsetting a few teams, winning some by small margins, while blowing out others. Once again, the team that almost wasn’t was suddenly recognized as the second best division I/II team in the region, with the Naval Air Reserve team taking home first place.

Both AT2 (AW/SW) Steele and AT2 (AW) Sweetser were recognized for their great performance, being voted for by their peers as the All-Star players of the NOR-PAC tournament.

Not too shabby after all. Congratulations to the CNATT Unit team, which consisted of: AT1(AW) Quincy Bentley (playercoach), AZ1(AW) Donald Bogaard, AT2 (AW) William Bravo, ATAN Anthony Danno, AT2(AW) Josh Dixon, AT2(AW/NAC) Jason Everhart, ABH1(SW) Rollin Hansen, SGT Charles Hawkins, AE2(AW) Luke Klinefelter, AD1(AW) Kelvin Locklear, AT1 (AW) Jeff Nakho, ABF2(SW) Alan Prieto, AT2(AW/SW) James Steele, AT2(AW) Chad Sweetser, AZ2(AW) James Wilmoth and YN3 Paul York.