Proud and exhausted San Diego Enforcers’ players proclaimed, “We are the best in the league!” as they celebrated a convincing 39-16 victory over the visiting Los Angeles Centurions. The Enforcers’ win gave the Centurions their first loss in over two seasons. Prior to Saturday night’s game, Team President Jason Sullivan described the match up against L.A. as the Enforcers’ Super Bowl. With victory in hand the Enforcers have a real opportunity of fulfilling their team battle cry of “Not One Loss.”

Offense, defense, and special teams made huge plays in the Enforcers’ victory.

Alfonso Ash of the California Department of Corrections started things off by intercepting a pass on the Centurions opening possession. The Enforcers were not able to do anything with the turnover and they quickly punted, setting up a defensive battle in the first quarter.

SDPD Officer Terry Bernard ("Old Faithful") Catches Touchdown Pass

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It looked as if it was going to stay that way into the 2nd quarter. Then J.J. Carrel hit fellow United States Border Patrol agent Corey Higbee for a 54-yard pass on a 3rd and 16 from the 16. This play led to the Enforcers dominating the 2nd quarter.

Jake Houchin of the Escondido Police Department got the Enforcers on the board first by capping off the drive that was extended by Higbee’s catch with a 24-yard field goal giving the Enforcers a 3-0 lead.

The Enforcers quickly got the ball back. Unfortunately, the drive once again stalled out deep in Centurions territory and the Enforcers settled for another Houchin field goal, this time of 34 yards.

On the next Centurion drive, Sean Miller of the California Department of Corrections intercepted the ball giving the Enforcers possession on the Centurions 27-yard line. This time Carrell converted the great field position by hitting Terry Bernard of the San Diego Police Department for a touchdown pass, extending the Enforcers’ lead to 13-0.

With 0:46 to go in the first half, the Centurions finally got on the board with a field goal making the score 13-3.

Jahir Waterman of the United States Border Patrol then returned the subsequent kick 85 yards for a touchdown. The extra point was missed and the Enforcers took a 19-3 lead into the half. The runback earned Waterman honors as Player of the Game.

In the 3rd quarter the Centurions attempted a comeback. They took their opening possession in for a touchdown making the score 19-10.

Following the Centurions score, it appeared that Waterman had another amazing kick off return for a touchdown, but it was called back because of offsetting personal foul penalties. On the very next play the Enforcers’ then fumbled the ball and the Centurions capitalized on the good field position with another touchdown. Narrowing the score to 19-17.

On the Enforcers next drive, Carrell drove his team down the field. This time he found Higbee in the end zone for a touchdown with 0:26 to go in the 3rd. This brought the score to 26-17 with a failed 2-point conversion.

The Enforcers then quickly added two more touchdowns in the 4th to put the game out of reach. In the Centurions next possession, Ash intercepted and returned a pass for a touchdown making the score 32-17. A couple minutes later Carrell found Higbee again in the end zone for the final score, securing the Enforcers a 39-17 victory over their rivals.

At that point the fans and the team began to chant, “Beat L.A.”

Even with the huge victory and great play on the field, the biggest cheer in the evening was received by active duty Master Sergant Davey Lynd of the Marines First Recon Battalion at Camp Pendleton.

Lynd, a double leg amputee, spoke about the importance of the Enforcers’ contributions to the Semper Fi Fund and how it helps injured Marines such as himself improve their quality of life. He also was extremely thankful of the support that the military gets from San Diego citizens. Lynd said, “People around here care about their military and they care about the Marines. They are appreciate our sacrifice and I see it day in and day out.”

The San Diego Charger Cheerleaders helped raised over $1,000 for the Semper Fi Fund by selling tickets for a half time raffle. As luck would have it, I won the grand prize, a signed Philip Rivers Jersey. We re-raffled the Jersey to raise additional funds. I would like to personally thank the Charger Cheerleaders for staying later than scheduled to sell these additional tickets.

With the win, the Enforcers are focused on finishing their season undefeated. You can still support the Enforcers and the effort to raise money for the Semper Fi Fund by attending the final game this season. It will be played against Inland Empire on Saturday, April 25, 5:00 PM at Cathedral Catholic High School in the Carmel Valley area. Tickets are available at the gate for only $10.00 and kids under 12 get in free.

For more information regarding Enforcer football and their relationship with the Semper Fi Fund, please read: By Supporting Enforcers Football, You Support Our Local Marines.

For directions to Cathedral Catholic High School in Carmel Valley and to see the Enforcers’ complete schedule, visit their web site at: http://www.sandiegoenforcers.com.

If you cannot come to a game but would like to contribute directly to the Semper Fi Fund, visit their web site at: http://www.semperfifund.org.