MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- The Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Falcons defeated the 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion Highlanders 25-21, at the Paige Field House aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., with late game heroics, Sept. 17.
Both defenses held strong until the Falcons’ quarterback, Casey Rogers, connected with wide receiver, Jeremy Rodriguez, who ran it in for the first touchdown of the night in the second quarter.
However, the Highlanders quickly regained the lead after scoring two touchdowns in the last two minutes of the second quarter. They scored the two point conversion on the second touchdown, putting 14 points on the board going into the half.
Falcons came into the third quarter eager to get the lead back with their defense holding the offense down the field.
The Falcons offense fell short twice in the red zone, due to two interceptions. On the second, the Highlanders ran for a third touchdown making the score 21-6.
Nevertheless, Rogers recovered when he hooked up with tight end, Sergeant Dallas, for a touchdown pass in the last minute of the third quarter.
“We knew the game isn’t over until the whistle blows,” said Master Gunnery Sgt. Carlice Moffett, head coach for the Falcons.
Defense and special teams played a vital role in the fourth quarter earning a safety and returning a punt for a touchdown putting the Falcons in the lead with the score being 22-21.
“I was ecstatic,” said Antwan Stokes, the punt return who scored the touchdown. “Now were back in the game.”
The Falcons defense held up and prevented the Highlanders last push. Miramar tacked on a field goal, making the final score 25-21.
“The players played phenomenally but, we still need to work on execution on both offense and defense,” said Moffett.
The Falcons are undefeated in four games. They face the 7th Engineer Support Battalion Engineers on Sept. 24.