Caring at Christmas: Marines play for toys
Yuma Marines earned bragging rights on Wednesday night.
A team made up of Marines from several units at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma beat Yuma High, the two-time city champions, 25-20 in the first-ever Yuma Toys for Tots flag football game at Yuma's Doan Field.
http://sun.yumasun.com/artman/publish/articles/story_20790.php
BY MICHELLE VOLKMANN, Sun Staff Writer
Dec 1, 2005, 12:07
Yuma Marines earned bragging rights on Wednesday night.
A team made up of Marines from several units at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma beat Yuma High, the two-time city champions, 25-20 in the first-ever Yuma Toys for Tots flag football game at Yuma's Doan Field.
An estimated 320 toys were collected at the football game. The Yuma High Student Council also donated $40 in cinnamon roll sales to Toys for Tots.
Sgt. Kyle Milette, with Marine Fighter Training Squadron-401, said he wanted to organize this event because he was involved with a similar one the last place he was stationed. It's a fun fundraiser for the players and the fans, Milette said.
"I wanted to do this so all of us could step up and make a difference in the community," Milette said after the victory. "The idea was conceived with the best intentions and we met them."
He also was pleased with the outcome on the field.
"It was very exciting. I actually thought we were going down. I said to someone on the sidelines '50 yards in 4.5 seconds is not going to happen,'" Milette said.
Maj. Gary Golembiski, of Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, prepares to throw a pass as Yuma High's Michael Carbajal (right) puts on the pressure Wednesday night at Doan Field.
But that's exactly what did happen.
With less than five seconds left and the Criminals up by one point, Marine quarterback Maj. Gary Golembiski, with VMFT-401, threw a long pass to Lance Cpl. Tony Ellerbe, with the MCAS' personal support detachment, for the game-winning score.
That was after Josh Hall's touchdown tied the game with 44 seconds. T.J. Gardner added the extra point for the 20-19 lead.
Yuma coach Rhett Stallworth said his team played well.
"It's a good cause. I'm hoping it catches on and we do more of these. It was good time," Stallworth said. "Unfortunately for us, we lost. We almost won it with 17 seconds left."
The Marine team had two practices prior to Wednesday night's game.
Milette said he warned Yuma athletic director Mike Sharp of the Marines' toughness and competitive nature.
"I told them to bring their 'A' game," he said.
Michelle Volkmann can be reached at mvolkmann@yumasun.com or 539-6855.