MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – With sweat and dirt on their faces, Marines take their stance as they prepare to charge. They have no weapons just their helmets and pads because their enemy is not on the battle field but the gridiron.
The Falcons still keep their expectations high for the season after a close two-point loss to the 1st Marine Logistics Group Beast at the Paige Field House football field aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Sept. 10.
“They [the team] motivate me, and I try to motivate them, even in the last minutes of the game,” said Sgt. Bryan Mack, defensive captain with the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Falcons and a Tacoma, Wash., native.
The Miramar team was down by ten points when they scored a touchdown and two-point conversion in the final two minutes of the game, but the Beast still took the game with a final of Beast 16 Falcons 14.
Despite the close loss, the Falcons are not worried. With many games to come this season, the team is focused on staying together and winning as many games as possible, explained Mack.
“It’s one team, one fight, one heartbeat,” said Mack.
Falcon’s players intend to keep up their hard work for the rest of the season and only focus on the positives of this game.
“We played hard, we had fun and no injuries, so it still looks good for us,” said Master Sgt. Ross G. Blain, head coach for the Falcons.
In a huddle of both teams after the game, Blain addressed the importance of teamwork on the field to the players.
“We are service members-first, and this is about fun and being a team to get the mission accomplished,” said Blain to the players.
After the game, players from both teams shook hands and Falcon players said they hope to see the Beast again closer to the championship.
“I have faith that we can still take it and we’re going to be ready to bring it next game,” said Mack.
The Falcons will continue to practice to prepare for the next game, Sept. 18.