Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. -- Stadium lights lit the gridiron, warrior spirit filled the air and cleats gripped turf in the last showdown of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Falcons’ regular season. The Falcons arrived with a mission to clench the Gold Division title, which was accomplished as they defeated the 11th Marine Cannon Cockers 34-0, at Paige Field House aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 22.
“We had some really good practices preparing for this game,” said Master Gunnery Sgt. Carlice Moffett, Falcons’ head coach. “This game set the tone for the playoffs.”
The game started with each team not able to deliver an early strike. The Falcons didn’t find their rhythm until the second quarter when the offense landed the first blow. Patrick “Junior” Williams, Falcons’ fullback, received the handoff from Falcons’ quarterback, Casey Rogers, and with a crew of Cannon Cockers trying to drag him down, extended the ball across the goal line to put the Falcons up 7-0 heading into halftime.
The beginning of the third quarter ignited with an electric play from Falcons’ special teams. Thomas Bothwell, Falcons’ kick returner, weaved through a swarm of defenders for a 75 yard kick return putting Miramar up 14-0. The Falcons started to operate like a well-oiled machine.
Miramar would look to Junior, once more as they lined up in the “I” formation and gave him the ball. Junior bulldozed his way down the field running over all obstacles into the end zone. The Falcons established a 21-0 advantage shutting the door on a comeback by the Cannon Cockers.
“The team executed well tonight to give us momentum going into the playoffs,” said Moffett.
The Falcons set cruise control and coasted for the rest of the game and ended with a final score of 34-0. The final whistle would give Miramar the Gold Division title and a well-earned trophy to end the regular season with a 7-1 record. They solidified their position in the playoffs as the number one seed.