MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Marine Corps Air Station Miramar's football team, the "Falcons," finished on top of Camp Pendleton Football League's scarlet division following their Nov. 4 match up with 1st Marine Regiment's "Bulldogs."

The Falcons actually lost to the Bulldogs 14-7, but it was their first loss in more than 20 regular season games and a 6-1-1 record was enough to keep them at the top of the division this season.

It was a grueling game for both teams but it was all Bulldogs in the first half. The first quarter began with the Falcons’ defense committing a personal foul and an unnecessary roughness penalty in the first three minutes, which helped the Bulldogs’ offense put together a quick touchdown drive. However, the Falcons’ defense blocked the extra point which kept the score at 6-0.

After an incomplete pass by the Falcons’ offense and another penalty, the team brought Johnny Luttrell onto the field to punt the football.

The Falcons’ defense showed life by intercepting a pass with three minutes left in the first quarter, but the team lost their momentum when the Bulldogs’ defense sacked quarterback Donnie Gilray in the backfield forcing another punt by Luttrell.

The Falcons’ defense then suffered another blow as the Bulldogs scored another touchdown with a two-point conversion bringing the score to 14-0.

After dozens of passes made by both teams and one botched field goal attempt by the Bulldogs, the first half came to an end at the 50-yard line with no additional scoring.

“There’s nothing that they’re doing that can stop us,” said Falcons’ offensive coordinator Donald Prograis, to the team. “We’re stopping us. Get your heads in the game. You play with your heart and it’s going to make them hurt.”

The Bulldogs’ offense started off sloppy in the second half with two more penalties against them. They ended their possession with a punt to the Falcons’ 5-yard line.

The Falcons’ offense turned the ball over on downs, but quickly regained possession as the defense kicked it up a notch with another interception.

The offense continued the fight as the Bulldogs suffered two more penalties that gave the Falcons 30 yards. The Falcons ended the third quarter with a touchdown by running back Pierre Stewart. Kicker Brian Greco followed with an extra point kick which brought the score to 14-7.

Greco started the fourth quarter with a kick off to the Bulldogs’ 40-yard line. The Bulldogs continued their careless play and received three more penalties.

Both the teams’ fatigue showed at the end of the game as the Falcons had several incomplete passes and the Bulldogs chose to run down the clock. The game ended with the final score 14-7.

“Is anybody surprised by this?” Prograis asked the team. “We should have dominated every single game. Next week, if we get beat you’re done. You’ve got the talent. Show me how good you are.”

The Falcons are in the CPFL playoffs, a single-elimination championship at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center 29 Palms in December.

                                                       -30-