The annual Operational Test Command Holiday Bowl returned after a brief hiatus, once again pitting East versus West Friday on West Fort Hood.

Col. Jeffery Harris, the OTC chief of staff, summarized the game’s outcome best.

“While we have a team of winners,” he said, referring to OTC collectively, “we do have a team that scored more points, the West Team.”

Team West took back the trophy, wining 12-8 while scoring on all eight second-half possessions.

“This is a great thing to be holding in my hands,” Master Sgt. Jay High, the West Team’s quarterback, said while holding the trophy. “It’s been a longtime coming. We (fell short) the last few times, so it’s good that this has returned properly to the west side.”

High described the game as a chance for both guys and gals in the unit to have a good time. And the fact that he was able to find a few open receivers was just a bonus.

“There were plenty of guys on the field standing around wide open, and I was just having a heyday,” he said.

Harris noted the bowl’s on-and-off nature over the past few years, but said he thought the game was a good thing.

“It’s clear we have a lot of esprit de corps out there,” he said.

“And I’m really happy we didn’t have to use that ambulance,” he added with a smile.

High agreed.

“This is the best,” he said. “There’s a few of these guys who’ve spent some time down range in Afghanistan this year, so this is really a good time to come back with the guys, right before we go on the holiday break.”