Navy Wins Once Again: Navy 17, Army 3

Ah, yes, once more, and for the eighth consecutive year, the Naval Academy defeated the Military Academy in football yesterday. The score: Navy 17, Army 3. Naturally, as a Navy alumnus (class of 1967), I am extremely pleased with the result. Indeed, this year's result was especially gratifying since my brother, Jeff, has been staying with us these past few weeks. Jeff is a West Point alumnus (class of 1962) and was once again forced to accept Navy's perennial supremacy. Life is sweet.

And how about this, all you Florida Gator fans. The Navy quarterback, Ricky Dobbs, ran for his 24th touchdown of the season, breaking the NCAA single season record held by Florida quarterback and Heisman winner, Tim Tebow. (My dear wife, Diane, is a Florida State alumna and so our family has no love for the Gators. We were pleased that Alabama hammered them.)

Navy quarterback Ricky Dobbs scores his record 24th touchdown of the season

In truth, though, yesterday's game was no pushover for Navy and was actually hard-fought and closer than the score might indicate. Largely a defensive battle, Army showed that it is a team on the rise and I expect next year's contest to be even more challenging for Navy. Of course, we will win once again.

I was particularly impressed with the Navy head coach, a terrific young man from Hawaii, Ken Niumatalolo (photo at left), who, during one of those immediately-after-the-game, on-field interviews, praised both teams and both academies. He reminded the television audience that the young men and women of both schools will soon be serving their country side-by-side, fighting those who would destroy not only our nation but also our civilization itself. "I'm in awe of these young men," Niumatalolo said. "They come to the Naval Academy, they come to West Point when we are a nation at war with more than one conflict. We have more than one conflict and they still decided to come and protect our freedoms." He then placed the game in its proper perspective when he said, "It's just a football game, just a game." Amen.

That said, I look forward to next year's game. Go Navy. beat Army!