CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- The Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Falcons won their opening game with a 19-8 victory over the 1st Marine Division, Headquarters Battalion Standard Bearers at the Paige Fieldhouse football field, here, Aug 26.
The first quarter began with a chest bumping game for field positioning. The Falcons started with a solid passing game. Falcons quarterback Derek Nichols completed his first four passes before the offense was stopped by the Standard Bearers at the 20-yard line and pushed back even further by a penalty, forcing the Falcons to punt.
“We all have to go back to the chalk board; we all have a lot to work on,” said Carlice Moffet, Falcons head coach. “Hopefully we will see each other again down the line.”
The night was a grueling contest starring two defenses that consistently forced turnovers throughout the night. Near the first quarter, the Standard Bearers caught a spark with a swift pick-6 with less than 40 seconds left on the clock, ending the first quarter at 6-0.
Jabari Moore took over as Miramar’s quarterback in the second quarter after an injury sustained by starter Derek Nichols. Moore shifted momentum by throwing a touchdown pass to Falcon’s wide receiver Jose Rodriguez, bringing the score to 7-6 after the PAT. With a second quarter field goal, the Falcons held their lead 10-6 at halftime.
The third quarter was filled with even more penalties and turnovers by the Standard Bearers, but the Falcons were only able to capitalize with a field goal.
Moore threw another touchdown pass in the fourth quarter, extending their lead to 19-6.
"We should have scored so much more, but at the same time a lot of factors played into [our mistakes]," said Moore
With only nearly five minutes left in the game, the Falcons fumbled the ball in the end zone for a safety, putting the score at 19-8 which kept at the end of the fourth.