MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- The sound of clashing helmets and echoing whistles were heard throughout Camp Pendleton’s Paige Field house football field during the season opener of the USAA Pendleton Cup Football League, Aug. 11.

This year’s season started off with Marine Corps Air Station Miramar's Falcons winning big against Camp Pendleton's 3rd Amphibious Assault Battalion Gators in a 42 to 15 victory.

The game started slow, but the Falcons quickly gained momentum and kept the Gators scoreless in the first half.

"We started a little rusty.” said Donnie Gilray, quarterback, Miramar. “I think we had some jitters early on, but after the first quarter we started to click."

Gilray helped bring home the victory by throwing eight complete passes and three touchdowns.

“Miramar came out and did their thing, plain and simple,” said Rob Wicks, quarterback, 3rd AABn. “We now know what they bring to the table and next time we will be ready.”

The Falcons victory over the Gators goes to show that hard work and dedication does not go unrewarded, said Dennis Branch, coach, Miramar. The team has been training since April and began practicing four days a week in June.

“(The team) take this seriously,” said Tom Fisher, athletic director, Marine Corps Community Services. “They train hard, they practice hard and they come out and play football.”

At the end of the game, the two teams expressed good sportsmanship with a handshake at the 50-yard line.

“After all, we are all fighting the same battle,” said Jacob Plieger, running back, Miramar.

Miramar opened the season big, but still have three months of football to play. The season will conclude in November and the league’s All-Base champion will then travel to Twentynine Palms for the annual Best of the West showdown.

Before leaving the field, the teams took a moment and prayed for their fellow warriors fighting overseas.