Welcome to the Army Navy game, the Republic's game, presented by RAA. This is the Supply Depot College Hoofball. Today is the 65th renewal of Army VS Navy, on RBS. It is a blustery afternoon in Fillydelphia here, but that will not affect the celebration of the 65th game. Let’s go down to public addressed Sand Baker.
Ladies and Gentlecolts, please stand for the invocation lead by Reverend Birch Wood, Chaplain at the Republic Military Academy. And please remain standing for our National Anthem as sung by the combined Military Academy Band, Naval Academy symphony and band.
May we pray, stars of the night, as we remember those who have laid down their lives for us, their heroic actions, and their dedication for this country, Army and Navy meet once again on a friendly field of strife. Bless the Cadets and Midshipmen of the Academies, give them a deep sense of commitment and dedication; let our academies also make this nation proud. Sustain all the members of our armed forces and their families, especially those who are in areas of tremendous risk; be merciful to those who have given their lives to keep this nation free. Fill each heart in the stadium today with a conviction of what we do here shows the world deep beauty of a free and proud people. Once again we ask the stars to bless the New Lunar Republic and those who live and die to make for all time for the land of the free and the home of the free and the land of the brave.
(The stadium went up in a light cheer. )
(The music of the anthem stated up, and all the cadets and midshipponies stood at attention and saluted the Flag. At the end, a cannon was fired, sending a BOOM throughout the stadium.)
Whenever our national anthem is sung or played, it always seems to invoke emotion in all of us; never more so when sung by the combined bands and symphonies of the NLR Military Academy and NLR Naval Academy. They meet on the playing field for the 65th time.
The Supply Depot College hoofball on RBS; the Army Navy game presented by the RAA, is sponsored by Ram Carriages, Gecko, RMC, and by RAA who alone with the fans here in Fillydelphia salute the Republics game.”
(The hospital in Fort McWire, New Derby)
“Hey Guys, the game is staring!” cried a brown and white colt to a crowd of Army officers. The crowd gathers around the colt and the radio. “Last call for bets,” he said.
“I got my bet on Army, time for a win,” said a dark green unicorn wearing a fishing hat.
“Oh come on Flake, we’re all betting on Army,” said a red unicorn, with the others agreeing. Unnoticed, a dark blue earth pony with white tab on his neck remained silent.
“Get off my back Hawk,” counted Col. Bran Flake to Hawk, “I know that.”
“Well I’d like Toots here, on mine,” said Hawk.
The tan pegasus with a blond mane that Hawk was referring to, got flustered at his comment, “Well, I…”
“Don’t you talk to her like that Hawk,” stammered a plump light blue unicorn, “Don’t let them talk to you like that Swift.”
“Hey Cranky,” Hawk retorted, “your courage is showing.” The low brow-ed, stern Cranky immediately turned his frown upside down.
“Well I thought it was wonderful you stood up for me like that Crank,” said Swift.
“Cranky, Hot lips, quiet down you two,” complained Col Flake, “I’m trying to hear Army beating Navy.”
And we welcome you to the Army Navy, the Republic's game, presented by RAA. This is the Supply Depot College hoofball on RBS. Today is the 65th renewal of Army VS Navy. Moments ago, first on the field, the Midshipponies of the New Lunar Republic’s Naval Academy. (The players run on to the field as seven Naval F/A-18 Hornets in formation fly over the stadium.) And right behind them, after Navy, Army. (Army players run out onto the field) And the Army Black Knights. Apache helicopters Fly overhead.
Good afternoon everypony, Verde Liquid along with Grey Neilson; Eleven loses in a row for Army to Navy, none more painful that the one they suffered last year. Army was going in to the go ahead touchdown and the mishandle hoofoff, between Biscuit Steel and Lazy Rodsmen lead to this unbelievably poignant scene for the four-year quarterback who had tried valiantly to lead his team to victory in this game, never to be successful . Now Grey, they say this game stands alone, it’s hard to believe that.
Yeah, it really is. Everypony says the right thing, you know the coaches are, the players are, but this game doesn’t happen in a vacuum and I think Army has it in their head a little bit, even though they say they don’t; we seen them the past two years they played Navy hoof-to-hoof, but Army has been Army’s worst enemy too many turn overs, and for them to win this game, they have to handle the ball, number one, and number two: I think that moving that ball on offense is Ok, they have to stop the quarterback for Navy, Keen Foil is becoming a great player; they need to stop his play.
How do they do that?
Well it’s not going to be easy. Last year he came in here a little bit nervous in this hoof ball game, kinda finished that game with a win by that last drive, but he’s gotten better. He runs the ball, he throws the ball, and he really is the difference in this hoofball game, and the center of the game.
We are ready for the coin toss; a very special silver ten-bit.
"The visitors will call the toss." The referee calls out. "The Head depicts Luna, the tails is the national symbol. Secretary of Defense, will allow it to hit the ground. Army Captain what do you call?"
Tails, tails, tails
Army has called tails. (The ref gives the coin to the Secretary, who inspects it himself.)
Ready? (The secretary asks as he tosses the coin)
And it is tails. (the ref picks up the coin) Army has won the toss.
We want to defer
And moments ago Trace Sweet with Secretary of Defense, Chuck Haggle.
Mr. Secretary, today is the Army Navy game, what do you think this game means?
Well I think its representative of our country, the esteem we hold all those who serve our country and we play this game today recognizing the sacrifices of generations of Lunarians
This is your first Army Navy game been in attendance for, how has this experience been for you?
Well there is nothing quite like this. I’ve been at the games at the Naval Academy and East Point, not this one. But to bring our Country together like this is ah, important way, it’s just fun, its Lunarian, it represents everything good about this country.
We appreciate it, thank. Enjoy the game.
Thank you very much.
Verde back to you.
Trace thank you. You can see the weather conditions are blustery at best we expect light snow to fall until the conclusion of the game, ah, and I don’t think…
Awwe, comeon, its perfect [the talk over each other, then chuckle)
Army won the toss and defered; navy after their eleven game win streak…
You couldn’t draw a prettier picture for the start of this game.
(punt)
Sand Grogy kicks it off. Mark It will let it float through the endzone. The ref whistles calling the ball dead. Touch back. And we’ll introduce you to the Hay-fil-A line ups, well begin with Keen Foil.
We’ve seen Keen and talk to keen over the phone about this hoofball game, he admitted that last year, as cool as he looked on the field, he was nervous for the start of the game, and his played showed it early in the hoofball game.
And the Midshipponies will start and the twenty-five yard line. Know Hope, who has missed the last to games due to injuries, gets the start. And he lays the block for Foil, who completes it out of the right side to Bran Sanders, number 21.
Well the team that though the least passes in the country opens up with a pass.
How about that.
Phe hhe.
Well Can Neil indicated to us in a phone conversation, they might need to go to the air a little bit.
Well, you know they, Army was so successful stopping this ground game, they said ‘We may a little loosen these guys up first.’
Various State is the Deepback, they run from the eye on this one. State comes left, big hole; driven down but only at the thirty-five. Let’s check Navy’s Offensive line:
LT 62 Heat JR
LT 56 Bins SO
C 75 Flem JR
RG 65 Zebra JR
RT 64 Gaseous SO
SB 29 White JR
FB 34 Hope JR
SB 20 State SR
WR 88 Bowl SR
WR 87 Line SR
It has been exam week and Navy and Case Bowl, the Senior, had two of them; one in underwater acoustics.
It should have been Snow acoustics
The Head Coach, Can Neil, in his sixth season, undefeated against Army. First down, Ten. Pitch left side, to Bran Sanders. Let’s check the Defensive line now for Army.
LE 99 Rough JR
NT 98 Clover JR
RE 92 U’Gotta JR
QUICK 43 Kelly JR
MLB 6 Beacon JR, who has played safety foe most of the year moves into a Linebacker spot today. It’s something he has done before.
WHP 34 Mack SR
ROV 29 Hollow SR
CB 39 Kilns SR
S 33 Tolls SR
S 9 Pierce JR, takes Beacons spot as safety position.
CB 14 Barn SO
Second and four. The ball is snapped and there is a hugh pile up on the line of scrimmage. Wow.
Wow. Big time.
And its Clover, number 98.
One of those things Navy talked to us about that Army had given them a new look every year on defense. Navy is trying to give the new look to Army. That’s the second isolation play from the I formation that they run; this time Clover said yeah we practiced against this too.
Rich Eels, Army’s head coach; this is his fifth season.
Here’s the key to the game right now, can they, Army, slow down Keen Foil?
The ball is snapped, Foil goes back, sees an opening and runs through it, dodging Mack, getting a few more yards and is decked by Clover. First and 10.
Yeah. Well, you know, Foil really is the difference maker on the field. You know, if there is one position, may be a little advantage went to last year with Steel. This year you have a veteran quarterback, who is ready to play in this hoofball game. I think he wants to atone for the way he started out last year.
The ball to Foil. Foils sees another opening and runs dodging Mack again, but is knocked down by Kilns 39. That was a game of twelve. Another first down and ten, the opening drive of the ball game and Navy has moved across midfield. First down ten, at Army’s 46.
Ball is up, Foil to the right side, option: pitch to State, number 20, who is run-off the field.
One of the reasons that this pitch comes so effective is because you actually lead the pony downhill with the pitch. You don’t want to through that at a 45degree angle, when option ball first started, ponies where trying to throw that ball backwards. Now they lead them up hill and it becomes an attacking pitch.
Tom Hollow, 29, is injured on the field, for the Cadets. He is up walking back to the sidelines.
Yeah, and it has been more of the same for injuries for Army. He missed three games with an ankle injury this year.
Just Trim is on to take his place. He wears number 5.
They are given this army team a lot of different looks early in this game to spread the defense out.
Yeah, three wide on this first down play; backs in the I. Second down and seven. There’s Foil.
Missed the hoof-off.
Yes he did. Stopped at the 43 yard line. Kelly in the 43 and Beacon, the linebacker.
There were pulling number 57, Bins around, that time and running the iso[lation] play, and everpony does. Just a miscommunication. They do so many things well in that triple action, you can’t believe that navy has had as much practice on these base plays.
And that brings up a third down. Third down and six.
Last time they were pretty, with a three pony rush I wonder if they may dial up a blitz and take some space from Foil.
Three down and it looks like the linebackers coming. They creep up yes two of them are. Foil, pressured throws the ball left across to Sanders, but Kilns blocked it.
Good throw, but it could have been intercepted.
Kilns defending.
If it had been thrown well, it would have been picked off. That’s a running back out there, Sanders 21 and Kilns is used to covering wide receivers. It was not a good route it was a good thing Foil did not throw it on target. Good stop for the Army defense.
That brings on Pabs Bells, a junior, number 11 and the deeppony is 15, Scott Wells for Army.
Interesting field position, Army needs to stay awake.
Bit of a rugby kick, and that’s over the head of Wells and bounces into the end zone.
Two yards deep.
Yes, wow. Touch back. Well we have opened the 65th playing of this game Bagget about to get his first turn on the field.
“Hey Mahongony,” said Hawk, “why don’t you come over here and hear the game better.”
The dark blue earth pony was sitting in a chair a few feet from the group of doctors huddled around the radio. “No, I’m fine Hawk. I can hear the game just perfectly from here.”
Not long after Hawk had asked, a low ‘woooo’ sound could be heard. Before they could think anything of it, there was a loud explosion outside that rocked the ground. The group of doctors fell to the floor as a couple more ‘woooo’s and subsequent explosions happened.
“What is the name of Tartarus is going on?” yelled Flake.
“Somepony is shelling us, if you couldn’t tell,” replied Hawk.
“We’re a hospital for crying out loud, why are they shelling us, the artillery range is on the other side of base,” said BJ, a yellow unicorn with an olive mane said.
“Don’t worry sugarcube,” Cranky said shakely to Swift, “I’m not scared of this.” He proceed to get up when another shell hit the ground exploding, “Hold me,” he whimpered curled up into a ball in Swift’s legs.
“Hey guys, it stopped!” The group cautiously got up, ready to fall back down. As they did so, one last shell exploded. Flake, already standing, tripped as he dove for cover, hitting his head on the desk.
“Awwe great, Flake’s down,” said Hawk.
“Sirs,” said the colt nervously, pointing outside the Colonel’s office.
The group, minus Flake as he was unconscious on the floor, went over to see what the colt was looking at: an unexploded shell had landed fifty feet in front of the office and in the middle of the hospital courtyard.
“Great,” said Hawk. “Ok, get on the phone and call-” “-regimental, sir, already on it,” the colt said with the phone in hoof.
“Swift help BJ take Flake to the hospital, and take care of the patients…”
“Wait!” Hawk was interrupted.
“What is it Cranky?”
“Who put you in charge? I’m a Major, I’m next in the chain of command,” said Cranky.
“Well than Cranky, I put you in charge of taking Flake to the hospital it BJ,” Hawk replied.
“Excuse me sir,” interrupted the colt.
“Get out of here runt, the officers are trying to talk,” sneered Cranky.
“Oh let the boy speak, Cranky, what is it?” asked Hawk.
“I got bad news: that last shell hit our communications antenna, I can barely reach regimental, and we cannot get the game.”
We welcome you back to Fillydelphia; first Army/Black Knights possession of the ball game. They take over at their own 20 in the midst of a snowstorm. And the quarterback is a sophomore, A.J. Shore, who came on as a relief in the last game Army played; ran for four touchdowns despite the loss.
Army hikes, toss to the right side. And Bagget gets pushed out of bounds. Let’s take a look at the starting line ups for Army’s offense:
LT 78 Lime SR
LG 78 Hoofmaker JR
C 52 Power JR
RG 75 Righter SR
RT 60 Gill SO
FB 26 Mixin JR
RB 31 Bagget JR
RB 19 Gonevalley JR
WR 86 Moss FR
WR 21 Lawpence JR
Army 2nd and 3 at their 27. Hike, Shore gives Gonvalley the ball as he tries to run through the middle. Navy’s got him, and group is pushing him back, and he’s down.
Third down and one, on the 29. Mixin is in the lineup; that’s good for Army.
Yes, it’s a surprise that Navy did not expect him.
Army hikes left. Shore, goes for it and is down. First down and ten. Tackle made by 52 Sargenvy.
Well the base plays by the Army hoofball team is this quarterback iso. One of the things Mixin does well is block. So even if he can’t carry the ball with that hurt ankle, he still can be valuable as a blocker.
Army hikes, Shore goes back, the ball slips out of his hoof, players scramble to the ball. That is a fumble. Two more tries at the ball and it moves further away. Mixin goes back and saves possession, sliding in under a Navy player.
Yes it did. I thought maybe it was tipped, you called it a slip. You were right, it slips right away. Army, obviously, is very fortunate to get this hoofball back, because usually the defense has a big advantage. Their facing that fumbled ball, but Army has to come back and find it.
Pitch right to 19, Gonvalley.
Considering all the turnovers Army’s had couple of games, they need to be very, very careful here.
On third and nineteen. Shore runs into his own pony and gets downed by 46, Rockson.
I think so far both teams have avoided disaster early in the passing game. Foil had a quick out intercepted, threw it high, and obviously the fumble right there. Both sides, I think the weather is a bigger factor here. Or voices don’t tell how bad it is out here. In person, the wind is whipping and the ball must be slick.
Line is the deepony to return the punt; he hopes. And the ball falls out of bounds ant there is not return on this one. Ball is marked on the 32 yard line of Navy.
A thirty nine yard punt, nothing on the return. 7:51 remaining in the first quarter, and we’ll be right back.
“How could they do that?” Hawk yelled with a phone in hoof, waiting for regimental to get back to them.
“I know right, regimental can be tough with newbies on the lines,” said the colt.
“No, I mean Army. How could they fumble the ball like that?” Hawk said referring to the game. After the radio antenna was hit, they scavenged the camp for any possible radio signal for the game. Lest to say, they hook up the wires to the top of the direction pole in the middle of camp, and were barely getting a signal.
