MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Football season has arrived and for the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Falcons, another shot at “Best in the West” presents itself.
The Falcons defeated the Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division Standard Bearers 19-8, at the Paige Field House aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Aug. 26.
The game started in a stalemate between the two teams until the Standard Bearers dealt the first blow in the second quarter with an interception that resulted in a touchdown. The Falcons seemed unfazed by the Standard Bearers’ early lead. Miramar responded in the same quarter with a 25-yard pass from Falcons’ quarterback Jabari Moore, to Falcons’ wide receiver Jose Rodriguez, putting Miramar up 7-6.
The Falcons struck again with less than a minute left in the first half with a 22-yard field goal from Falcons’ kicker Juan Reyes, allowing Miramar to maintain the lead with a score of 10-6.
The Falcons started to capitalize on the momentum in the second half with a 30-yard field goal from Reyes and an electric 23-yard run from Moore making the score 19-6.
“I won’t take credit because it’s a team game and everyone played hard,” said Moore. “We are ready to go once we step on the field.”
Miramar slipped in the fourth quarter, giving up a safety on a botched punt, allowing the Standard Bearers two points. The Falcons held on to the lead and won with a final score of 19-8.
Despite the win, Master Gunnery Sgt. Carlice Moffett, Falcons’ head coach, believes there is still room for improvement.
“We have a lot of stuff to work on offensively and defensively,” said Moffett. “The first game exposed a lot of our weaknesses, so we have to go back to the drawing board, and fix our weaknesses and make them stronger.”
The Falcons started their season with a step in the right direction in their pursuit for a shot at the title of “Best in the West.”
“We have come up short the past two years, so now it’s time to get that first place trophy,” added Moffett.
The Falcons face their next opponent, the 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion Gators, at 5 p.m. Sept. 9 at Paige Field House.