MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- The Southern California heat poured down on the football players of 1st Marine Logistics Group’s “Beasts” and Marine Wing Support Squadron 374’s “Rhinos” as the two teams competed for the “Best of the West” title at the 11 Area field, Dec. 11. 

Camp Pendleton’s 1st MLG’s Beasts and Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center 29 Palms’ MWSS-374’s “Rhinos” went head to head during the annual competition. Both teams played strong defense, keeping the score 0 to 0 the entire first half of the game. Eventually, the Beasts’ Jarvis Foster scored the first touchdown that led to their victory of 14 to 12.

“They were playing a really physical game,” said Jarris Mayfield, strong side linebacker, Beasts. “We put up a good fight; by making it hard for them to find gaps in our defense.”

The Beasts team members have been training extra hard for the past two weeks in order to play their best for this championship game, said Mayfield, who is also one of the team captains.

“This win means a lot, not just to us but to the base,” said Coach Marvin Hill, Beasts. “Twenty-nine Palms have been winning against us since 2006. Even though we lost the last three years, we finally came together as a team.”

Many base residents and staff attended the much anticipated game to cheer on the declared best team on Camp Pendleton, and now of the West.

“It’s great to see the Beasts come out and win this game,” said Tom Fisher, athletic director, Semper Fit, Marine Corps Community Services. “The teams take this league seriously, and it shows when they play.”

The Best of the West concludes the football season for the Marine football athletes of 29 Palms and Camp Pendleton.

For more information about competing in next year’s season, contact Tom Fisher at 760-763-5519. Interested participants must be active-duty military.