IFAF Flag Football World Championships Day 1 Recap

By Travis Burnett | Posted 8/10/2018

The United States men’s and women’s flag football teams were back at it this afternoon, each squaring off against Austria with the women facing off first. Both games proved to be full of highlights and big plays in a set of matchups that did not disappoint as both teams advanced to 2-0 so far for the tournament.

US Women’s vs Austria Recap – Crabb with the Grab

Game 2 Final Score: United States 46, Austria 20

Unlike the first game, the United States women started off fast and furious. They jumped out to a quick 14-0 lead started off by a Rebecca Crabb diving catch, followed up by an interception by Dacia McGowan and capped off by a beautiful throw and catch from Vanita Krouch to Michelle Roque on a stop and go route.

Midway through the half, Crabb secured her 2nd touchdown of the game to cruise out to a 20-0 lead. Austria would not be denied on their next possession though, hitting a corner route to the back of the endzone in a pretty throw and catch to crawl back into the game at 20-6.

With less than a minute before half remaining on the following possession, United States quarterback Vanita Krouch found Sheneika Comice on a dig route at the goal line to pull ahead 26-6 going into halftime.

The second half started out with back to back touchdowns by Austria, climbing back to within 6 making it a 26-20 ballgame before coach Chris Lankford called a timeout to settle his team down before the game got away from them.

The offense and defense both made adjustments and would go on to finish very strong, scoring on their last 3 possessions to finish the game, including touchdown grabs by Liz Sowers, Michelle Roque and finally Jo Overstreet on a streaking fly down the right sideline for a long touchdown to cap it off.

It was a strong first day for the women, showing they should be a force to be reckoned with in this tournament. Tomorrow they take on very solid Denmark team at 9:15am CST so be sure and check back for regular updates to follow the action!

RELATED CONTENT: IFAF Flag Football World Championships: U.S. Men Looking for 4th Straight Gold Medal

US Men’s Austria Recap – The Greg Meek Show

Game 2 Final Score: United States 38, Austria 24

After coming off a blowout win over India, the United States men’s team knew it would be in for a much stiffer challenge against Austria and both teams battled in a close game to the very end.

Austria started the game off strong, driving right down the field before Justin Romero caught a deflected pass for an interception on 3rd and goal from the 3 yard line, saving a sure touchdown.

The United States wasted no time taking advantage of the turnover, with quarterback Eric Holliday hitting wide receiver Greg Meek on a post route for a touchdown, starting off a dominating performance by the “Ghost” on his way to a 4 touchdown day.

The next 5 possessions went back and forth as neither defense could seem to slow down the opposing offense. Austria scored to bring it to 7-6, followed by a beautiful full field go route from quarterback Jorge Cascudo to Terrance Fox. Austria drove down once again to score, followed by a stop-and-go route to Greg Meek, and another touchdown by Austria, closing the first half at a too-close-for-comfort 19-18 score.

The second half started strong for the United States, with Carlos Jaime catching a dig route from Cascudo, followed by a juggling touchdown catch on a deep bomb from Cascudo to Meek, leaping over a defender then snagging the deflection for his 2nd highlight reel play of the day.

However Meek’s best play of the day and possibly tournament was yet to come, following a touchdown from Austria to bring the score back to a 7 point game at 31-24 with 2 minutes remaining, Cascudo hit Meek on a dig route at midfield with the entire Austrian defense between him and the goal line. Meek proceeded to put on a clinic, juking, out-running and dipping his way to the endzone, making every defender miss and some twice as the stadium went crazy putting the United States up 38-24 which would remain the final score, capping off a big day for the young receiver out of Dallas, Texas.

Be sure and tune in tomorrow to catch the men’s team take on Japan at 8:00am CST followed by Denmark at 1:00pm CST on their quest for gold!

Follow IFAF on @IFAFMedia on Twitter and Instagram

Share