TORII STATION, Okinawa — While the annual Army-Navy game is a big draw on television, communities throughout the Pacific were going after their own bragging rights during annual Army-Navy flag football games on Saturday.

On Okinawa, fans braved driving rain that forced the players to battle in ankle-deep mud, and winds that gusted well over 20 mph. That didn’t keep the spectators away, though, as they huddled under umbrellas, rain jackets and tents. There were even the extreme fans who simply stood in the rain with nothing, getting soaked to the bone.

Fans shouted back and forth across the field in good fun as the teams took to the field. An Ohio State fan even booed the III Marine Expeditionary Force band when it played the University of Michigan fight song.

At halftime, awards were handed out for a youth Punt, Pass and Kick competition held earlier in the day, and cheerleaders from both sides braved the mud to dance and show their spirit for the crowd.

As the rain continued during the game, the number of fans in the bleachers slowly dwindled, but the die-hards were there for their teams until the end, when Navy took the victory 17-12.

For one couple at the game, cheering for their team meant rooting for opposite sides. Marine Cpl. Michael Kogetin, of 3rd Transportation Support Battalion, was there to cheer on Navy, while his wife, Army Spc. Nicole Kogetin, from Torii’s Public Affairs Office, was rooting for Army.

“It’s competitive … very entertaining,” Michael said at halftime, when Navy was up 14-0. “Especially when your team is winning. Navy is kicking butt.”

Nicole said her husband won’t tease her about the outcome, but he indicated otherwise.

“I’ll razz her for about seven days,” he said.

She quickly said it wouldn’t happen and threatened catching some sleep on the couch if he did.

The Navy team managed to play mind games by getting onto Torii Station for more than two hours and posting 200 fliers reading, “GO NAVY, BEAT ARMY,” on every car on the base, according to a confidential source. Team members also hung two large sheets of paper at the headquarters building — one with the Sailors Creed on it and the other with Anchors Aweigh. An HMMWV — high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle — also was targeted with about 40 fliers stuck to it and another 50 scattered inside.

Saturday’s fun wasn’t limited to Okinawa.

In South Korea, almost 600 fans showed up to watch the game played on a sunny day at Falcons Field at Seoul American High School at Yongsan Garrison.

The school’s JROTC unit helped kick things off by providing the color guard.

All in attendance were able to keep their stomachs full thanks to food tents set up by Seoul American cheerleaders and the Navy Club.

Army and Navy cheerleaders put on a halftime show.

While Navy took a beating, losing 34-0, it seemed like everyone knew the game was about having fun.

“[The Navy got] pretty soundly beaten, but I think our guys had a good time out there,” said Lt. Cmdr. David Ruth.

At Zama American High School’s Trojans Field, only about 30 spectators showed up for the game between soldiers from Camp Zama and sailors from Yokosuka Naval Base. Army won 26-18.

It was a cool and overcast day that had fans, who were mostly Army, bundled up for the game.

“It was a great day for football and to beat the Navy team,” said Master Sgt. Bryan Andrews.

Cheerleaders from the Army side entertained the fans with dancing at halftime.

After the game, both teams made their way to the VIP room at the Camp Zama Golf Course clubhouse for food and drinks.

While Camp Zama may own local bragging rights, one Navy fan thought the outcome of the “real” game would be much different.

“I think Navy will win because they have a better team,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Mike Gay.

— Jim Schulz and Jeremy Kirk contributed to this report.

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