Playoff game: 1st MLG Beasts dominate football field

1st Marine Logistics Group
Story by Lance Cpl. Khoa Pelczar

Date: 11.17.2010
Posted: 11.19.2010 13:02
News ID: 60504
Playoff game: 1st MLG Beasts dominate football field

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – “This is it, Beasts. Remember what all of you have been waiting for. Remember how we were practicing yesterday and wanting this as we watched the first game of the playoff. Well, here’s your time to take what you want. This is our house. The Beasts’ house, and tonight, we’re unleashing the Beasts,” said Marvin Hill, head coach for 1st Marine Logistics Group football team, the Beasts.

After a successful regular season finishing second in the league, the Beasts defeated the Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego’s Titans, 19-0, at their first game in the playoffs at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Nov. 16.

Hill was confident coming into the game. He had no doubt that the team would come out victorious.

“The players have been working hard all season long and they’re not going to stop now,” said Hill.

Even though the MCRD Titans lost, they gave the Beasts a run for their money. For the first half of the game, the Titans’ defense prevented the Beasts’ players from getting into the end zone. By intercepting the ball and recovering two fumbles, the Titans’ end zone remained untouched. However, they were not able to break through the brick wall of the Beasts’ defense, the first half ended 0-0.

As the Beast struggle to move the ball, Hill decided to make a few adjustments to the line-up and gave the team a renewed confidence.

“Everyone here can be a champ, so you’ve got to start thinking like a champ and start playing like a beast,” said Hill. “You need to come together like you have [done] through the season. You can’t start falling apart now that we’re in the playoffs.”

After the pep talk, the Beast came into second half of the game with a different mentality. The passes were more accurate, the runs were tighter, offensive linemen prevented the Titans’ defense from getting to the quarterback and running back, giving them enough time in the pocket to execute the plays.

The adjustment paid off as the Beasts scored a touchdown eight minutes into the third quarter, setting the new pace for the game. The Beasts’ defense did their job by intercepting the ball which gave possession back to 1st MLG. Just eight minutes later, they scored their second touchdown and a field goal, putting 13 points on the board for 1st MLG.

With a few minutes left on the clock, the Beasts shut out the Titans’ offense and scored their final touchdown of the night, ending the game at 19-0.

“The score board didn’t show how we played,” said Hill. “The three weeks off didn’t help us at all. We need to work harder if we want to win the next game against [the School of Infantry.]”

Winning the first round of the playoffs put 1st MLG Beasts in the semi-finals. They’ll face the SOI Marshals at 7:30 p.m., Nov. 23 at the 14 Area football field. They are one step closer to the Championship. The coaches and players encourage Marines and sailors of 1st MLG to come out and support the team. They’ve gotten through the first round, and are eager to take on their next challenge.