MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- The Marine Aircraft Group 39 Mad Dawgs defeated the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Falcons 12-7, in the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton Tackle Football Championship game Nov. 7.

In a previous match up the Falcons defeated the Dawgs 14-13.

This game’s result was due to turnovers. The Falcons two different quarterbacks threw two interceptions. The Falcons also had a forced fumble returned for a touchdown in favor of the Dawgs.

Jeremy Bacon started out at quarterback for the Falcons with head coach, Bennis Branch’s decision. In the first two series Bacon c ould not seem to get the offense to move, ending the second Falcon series with an interception.

The Dawgs struck first on the pursuing drive after driving down the field with a strong running attack. The point after was blocked, 6-0 Dawgs up with 4:26 left in the first quarter.
First string quarterback, Jaime Sales was then substituted in for Bacon, but could not seem to help much as the Falcons went three plays and out.

All the momentum seemed to be circling around the Dawgs bench as the Falcons found themselves stunned and searching through their playbooks.

The Falcons forced the Dawgs to punt at the end of the first quarter.

Falcons receiver/punt returner, Paul Williams found his speed on the outside as he returned the Dawgs’ punt for 70 yards, but was then called back due to a block in the back. The Falcons had to start from the Dawgs’ 30-yard line.

After a hard-fought series the Falcons found themselves in a fourth-and-eight situation.
Branch called Bacons number with a half-back pass that was intercepted and ran back to the Falcons’ 35.

The Mad Dawgs went to air and brought themselves inside the 10.

Falcons safety, Mike Olsen, made a huge play stripping the Mad Dawgs’ running back of the ball and returning to the opposing 15, but was called back, wiping out another big play by a penalty.

Falcons’ running back, Cordero Davis was then stripped and the Dawgs picked up the loose ball and returned it for a touchdown, putting the Dawgs up, 12-0 with 5:00 left in the half.

The Falcons offense showed signs of life when they marched right down the field on the pursuing drive with Bacon capping off the short drive with an eight-yard touchdown. 12-7, Dawgs.

The Falcons’ offense motivated the defense as they sacked the Mad Dawg quarterback consecutively forcing the Dawgs to turn the ball over on downs.

Sales ended the half throwing his first of two interceptions on the night.


The second half started out slow changing possession three times before any action began.

The Falcons gave a little scare with a nice pass to receiver, Brentt Bean, but then was diminished when Sales threw his second interception in the end zone.

The Falcons forced the Dawgs to punt to give themselves another shot to take the lead. The Falcons failed on a fourth-and-seven situation when Sales could not connect with Williams for the first down.

From here the Dawgs kept the chains moving long enough for the time to run out as they took the championship from the Falcons and will move on to play in the Best of the West game,  Dec. 2, against the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center 29 Palms League winner.