MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII -- The Marine Aircraft Group 24 Bandits fought to beat Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay Spartans during a football game at Riseley Field, Nov. 19, 2013.
“Every game out here is always an exciting one,” said John Faubion, a defensive back for the Spartans. I love coming out to play because of the thrill of never knowing what is going to happen.”
The Spartans started the game with the football on their own 15-yard line. The Bandits got a couple of sacks and brought the Spartans back to their 8-yard line. Faced with a fourth down, the Spartans punted, but the ball only went 10 yards down the field.
Starting with good field position, the Bandits took advantage and threw a pass into the back corner of the end zone for a touchdown. They also converted for three extra points.
Riseley Field doesn’t have field goal posts, so after each touchdown, players had to choose whether to go for a two or three-point conversion. In order to get a three-point conversion, a team had one play to reach the end zone from the 5-yard line. If a team reached the end zone from the 3-yard line, they received two points. Those were the only two options offered to replace an extra point kick.
The Spartans started off their next drive on their own 22-yard line. Shortly after they started their drive down the field, the quarterback heaved a pass down to the Bandits’ 22-yard line.
The Spartans got another first down and continued to strive to find the end zone. A Bandits’ player on the goal line intercepted a pass by the Spartans, which ran the rest of the clock out to end the first quarter.
The first quarter score stood at 9-0 with Bandits on top.
The Bandits found a first down and a spearing penalty helped bring them to the Spartans’ 25-yard line. A face-mask penalty helped the Bandits more and give them another first down on the 12-yard line.
“We had some bad injuries tonight and it’s never good to see that happen to anyone,” said Justin Longoria, Bandits’ quarterback. “Our team doesn’t have the number of players that other teams do. We came together as team and performed well as a unit.”
The Bandits’ defense kicked to the Spartans’ 30-yard line. On second and 30, the Bandits’ quarterback scrambled up and around Spartans’ players to find the end zone for a touchdown but couldn’t convert for any extra points.
The Spartans were set up to receive the kick off, but didn’t expect to fumble and gave the Bandits the football on their own 10-yard line. The very next play, the Bandit quarterback ran it into the end zone but could not convert for any extra points.
The Spartans started their next drive on their own 21-yard line. After a couple first downs, the Spartans ran down the Bandits’ 5-yard line. The Spartans tried several times to reach the goal line but time ran out and forced their drive to come to a halt.
The second quarter ended with a 21-0 Bandits’ lead.
The Bandits started the third quarter on their own 10-yard line. After a few plays, the Bandits threw a pass from their 15-yard line which brought them to the Spartans’ 10-yard line. The very next play, the Bandits threw a pass over the goal line for a touchdown and converted for three extra points.
The Spartans got the ball and found a couple first downs. The Bandits held the Spartans’ defense back and forced them to turn the ball over on downs.
Once the Bandits had the ball, their quarterback scrambled around everyone to cross the goal line. It had to be brought back though because of a block in the back penalty. After the penalty the ball was placed on the Spartans’ 35-yard line. The Bandits continued their drive and found themselves with a first down on the Spartans’ 18-yard line ending the third quarter 30-0 for the Bandits.
The first play of the fourth quarter was a pass into the end zone by the Bandits’ quarterback and followed by a completed three-point conversion.
The Spartans’ kick returner sent the ball down the field from the back of his own end zone and only reached the 5-yard line. The Spartans found a couple first downs and a pass completion, on fourth down, which brought them to the Bandits’ 10-yard line.
The Spartans couldn’t manage to find the end zone and gave the ball back to the Bandits. The Bandits realized the game was nearing an end and went into the victory formation.
The end score was 39-0 with the Bandits on top.
“One thing we need to work on is our communication,” said Faubion of the Spartans’ loss. “The team effort was there and we played hard but we need to play smarter.”
“Our offense killed it and our defense killed it,” said Daniel Eads, a corner for the Bandits. “Every Bandit put forth 100 percent effort and it was a wholehearted team performance.”