Australian Football

Announcer: VISITING WITH HUELL HOWSER IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH A GENEROUS GRANT FROM... [CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY KCET PUBLIC TELEVISION AND FRIENDS OF NCI] Huell Howser: WELL, HELLO, EVERYBODY, I'M HUELL HOWSER AND HERE WE ARE STANDING RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF OUR MAGNIFICENT CALIFORNIA MOJAVE DESERT.

IT'S ABOUT 6:00 AT NIGHT, AND IT'S BEEN A HOT DAY TODAY BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH IT'S 6:08, THE TEMPERATURE IS STILL 104 DEGREES.

NOW WE HAVE COME TO THE MOJAVE DESERT TO SPEND SOME TIME.

HERE IT SAYS RIGHT HERE UP ON THE SIGN "WELCOME TO THE NATIONAL TRAINING CENTER AT FORT IRWIN," WHICH IS THIS HUGE MILITARY BASE WHERE THEY'VE BEEN DOING DESERT TRAINING FOR DESERT WARFARE FOR A LONG TIME NOW.

THERE'S ALWAYS SOMETHING INTERESTING GOING ON AT FORT IRWIN.

SEE ALL THESE TANKS HERE?

THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER, THOUGH, IS WE'RE NOT HERE TO RIDE IN THE TANKS OR WATCH THE DESERT TRAINING.

WE HAVE COME TO FORT IRWIN ON THIS HOT NIGHT IN AUGUST TO WATCH AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL.

OK, HERE'S OUR GUY RIGHT HERE.

HOWDY, DAVID.

David: HOW YOU DOING, SIR?

Huell: INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO EVERYBODY.

David: I'M LIEUTENANT DAVID PAYNE FROM 11th ACR HERE AT FORT IRWIN.

Huell: NOW, ACTUALLY, WE'VE NEVER MET.

WE'VE JUST TALKED ON THE PHONE AND COMMUNICATED THROUGH E-MAIL.

David: THAT'S RIGHT, SIR.

Huell: BUT WHAT WAS THE DEAL?

HOW DID YOU GET US HERE TODAY?

YOU STARTED--THIS INVITATION CAME A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, ACTUALLY, ALMOST A YEAR AGO.

David: IT'S BEEN A WHILE.

WE INVITED YOU OUT LAST YEAR WHEN WE WERE PLAYING AT THE BARSTOW AT THE MARINE BASE DOWN THERE, AND YOU HAD OTHER COMMITMENTS AND YOU SAID, "HEY, WE'LL GET IN NEXT SEASON," AND THEN HERE WE ARE.

Huell: ALL RIGHT, NEXT SEASON.

WE'VE KIND OF GIVEN AWAY IN OUR INTRODUCTION THAT WE'RE HERE TO WATCH AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL, WHICH IS KIND OF STRANGE TO BE WATCHING AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MOJAVE DESERT AT FORT IRWIN.

WHAT IS THAT ALL ABOUT?

David: WELL, THAT'S WHAT MY PLAYERS ARE ASKING ME IN ORANGE COUNTY.

THEY'RE SAYING, "IT'S 106.

YOU WANT US TO PLAY FOOTBALL OUT HERE?"

AND I'M LIKE, "WELL, HEY, THAT'S--WE GOTTA GIVE--DO WHAT GOD GAVE US, YOU KNOW."

Huell: SO WAIT A MINUTE.

THIS OTHER TEAM IS FROM ORANGE COUNTY?

David: YES, SIR, THEY'RE FROM ORANGE COUNTY.

A LOT OF THE GUYS FROM IRVINE, ORANGE, ALL OVER THE COUNTY DOWN THERE.

Huell: WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?

THESE ARE SOLDIERS OR... David: NO, THEY'RE ALL CIVILIANS.

WE STARTED THE LEAGUE BACK IN '98 AND ORANGE COUNTY WAS ONE OF THE FIRST TEAMS, AND SO BEING THAT AS IT MAY, I KIND OF WORKED OUT WITH THOSE GUYS BACK THEN AND WHEN I WAS STATIONED DOWN HERE IN THE ARMY, I CALLED THOSE GUYS UP AND THEY SAID, "YES.

START A TEAM.

WE'LL HELP YOU OUT."

THEY'VE BEEN GREAT.

Huell: SO WHY AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL?

WHY--WHAT IS THE-- 'CAUSE I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL.

David: RIGHT.

AUSTRALIAN RULES IS A COMBINATION OF BASKETBALL, BASEBALL, FOOTBALL, SOCCER.

IT'S GOT EVERYTHING, AND WHEN YOU WATCH THE GAME TONIGHT, YOU'LL SEE AND THE PEOPLE THAT WATCH YOUR PROGRAM WILL SEE AS WELL.

IT'S EXCITING.

IT'S HIGH-SCORING.

THERE ARE NO TIME-OUTS.

SOMEBODY GETS HURT, THEY GOTTA COME OFF THE FIELD ON THEIR OWN OR WE GOTTA GO GET HIM, BRING HIM OFF.

SO IT'S NONSTOP.

THE CLOCK CONTINUALLY RUNS.

Huell: SO WHAT IS THE APPEAL OF THIS?

BECAUSE IT'S NOT LIKE YOUR STANDS ARE FULL TONIGHT.

IT'S NOT LIKE THIS IS A BIG SPECTATOR EVENT HERE AT FORT IRWIN.

UH, YOU'RE OBVIOUSLY DOING IT FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME.

David: RIGHT, AND THAT'S THE WHOLE THING.

WHEN WE STARTED THIS ABOUT 2 1/2 YEARS AGO, WE HAD 4 PEOPLE.

AND YOU SEE THE GUYS STANDING OVER HERE RIGHT NOW.

WE'VE GOT ABOUT 14 SOLDIERS HERE.

WE HAVE ABOUT 25 DEPLOYED, AND WHEN THOSE GUYS COME BACK, THEY'RE GONNA, YOU KNOW, GET BACK IN THE TEAM.

BUT, YEAH, IT'S PRETTY TOUGH, YOU KNOW, GIVEN ALL THE CIRCUMSTANCES, BEING THAT'S IT'S 106 DEGREES AND WE'RE OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE.

Huell: NO, IT'S DOWN TO 104 NOW.

David: OH, IT'S 104?

OK. Huell: THE TEMPERATURE IS PLUMMETING DOWN.

BUT YOU'VE HOOKED THEM INTO THIS SOMEHOW OR ANOTHER.

David: YEAH, AND A LOT OF THESE KIDS, YOU KNOW, THEY'VE PLAYED VARIOUS SPORTS IN HIGH SCHOOL, AND LIKE I SAID, THE THING THEY LOVE ABOUT IT IS IT'S A COMBINATION OF EVERYTHING THEY'VE EVER PLAYED AND IT'S EXCITING AND IT'S JUST NONSTOP AND HAVING GREAT GUYS LIKE THE BOMBERS COME UP AND, YOU KNOW, SUPPORT US, AND WE'RE HAVING ANOTHER TEAM FROM INLAND EMPIRE OUT OF RIVERSIDE.

THOSE GUYS ARE COMING UP, TOO.

Huell: SO YOU GOT 3 TEAMS GONNA BE HERE TONIGHT, AND YOUR TEAM IS CALLED THE... David: MOJAVE GREENS.

Huell: MOJAVE GREENS AFTER THE RATTLESNAKE.

David: THAT'S RIGHT.

THE MOST DANGEROUS SNAKE IN THE AMERICAN SOUTHWEST.

WE WENT ROUNDABOUT ON WHAT TO NAME THE TEAM.

A LOT OF GUYS HAD A LOT OF DIFFERENT VARIATIONS, BUT WE SETTLED ON THE MOJAVE GREENS.

Huell: THE MEANEST SNAKE AROUND.

David: THAT'S RIGHT, AND WE'RE PRETTY MEAN.

WE MAY NOT BE THE MOST SKILLED TEAM OUT HERE, BUT WE'RE PRETTY ROUGH AND READY.

Huell: YOU'RE THE MEANEST.

David: PRETTY MUCH.

Huell: ALL RIGHT, THERE IT IS RIGHT THERE.

THE MOJAVE GREENS.

THAT'S A MEAN-LOOKING EMBLEM RIGHT THERE.

HOW DID YOU--YOUR NAME IS?

William: MY NAME IS WILLIAM NEIL.

Huell: AND YOUR RANK AND ALL OF THAT?

William: I'M A SPECIALIST.

Huell: ALL RIGHT, SO YOU'RE BASED OUT HERE AT FORT IRWIN.

William: I AM.

Huell: THERE'S NOT A LOT TO DO OUT HERE ON THE WEEKENDS, SO IS THAT ONE OF THE REASONS YOU GOT INVOLVED IN THIS?

HOW DID YOU GET HOOKED INTO THIS?

William: WELL, ONE OF MY BUDDIES FROM MY UNIT CAME UP TO ME AND ASKED ME WHAT I WAS DOING IN MY SPARE TIME AND ASKED ME IF I WANTED TO PLAY AUSSIE FOOTBALL.

I HAD NO IDEA WHAT IT WAS, BUT, UM, YOU KNOW, I TOLD HIM I'D COME OUT AND GIVE IT A SHOT AND SEE IF I LIKED IT AND I JUST STUCK WITH IT EVER SINCE.

Huell: SO YOU GOT INTO IT NOT EVEN KNOWING WHAT IT WAS.

William: RIGHT.

Huell: ARE WE GONNA ENJOY THIS TODAY?

William: I HOPE SO.

Huell: IS THIS A REGULATION FIELD OUT HERE?

IS THIS-- William: WELL, I TELL YOU, UM, I'VE BEEN WATCHING A LOT OF GAMES LATELY, AND IT'S PRETTY SMALL COMPARED TO A LOT OF REGULATION FIELDS, BUT I GUESS THIS IS ONE OF THE FEW PLACES WE CAN PLAY ON POST, SO I'M JUST GLAD THAT THE OTHER TEAMS ARE COMING UP HERE TO PLAY WITH US.

Huell: THIS IS ONE OF THE FEW PLACES ON THE BASE THAT I'VE SEEN ANY GRASS.

William: YEAH.

WELL, WHEN I FIRST GOT HERE AND I SAW GRASS, IT BLEW MY MIND BECAUSE I WAS LIKE, "WHAT DO YOU NEED GRASS FOR IN THE DESERT?"

BUT SOMEONE PLANTED IT AND WE'RE PLAYING ON IT, SO... Huell: YOU'RE GLAD IT'S HERE.

William: YEAH.

Huell: GOOD LUCK.

William: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

Huell: HERE'S A GUY FROM PERRIS, CALIFORNIA.

YOUR NAME AND RANK?

Keshawn: KESHAWN PAYTON.

STAFF SERGEANT.

Huell: I SHOULD'VE ASKED YOU FOR YOUR SERIAL NUMBER, TOO, BUT I'M NOT GONNA DO THAT.

HOWDY.

THEY'RE NOT PLAYING AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL IN PERRIS, ARE THEY?

Keshawn: OH, NO, SIR.

I DIDN'T EVEN HEAR NOTHING ABOUT THAT UNTIL I CAME OUT HERE.

Huell: SO WHAT DID YOU THINK WHEN SOMEBODY FIRST MENTIONED IT TO YOU?

Keshawn: I WAS LIKE, "I'LL TRY IT.

I'LL SEE WHAT--WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT."

Huell: UH-HUH.

AND WHAT DO YOU THINK NOW?

Keshawn: I LIKE IT.

>> THESE ARE THE ORANGE COUNTY BOMBERS.

THESE GUYS ARE-- Huell: THE ORANGE COUNTY BOMBERS.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

Huell: IS THIS THE GROUP FROM ORANGE COUNTY?

WHO'S THE--WHO'S THE SPOKESMAN?

STAND UP HERE.

YOU'VE GOT A GOOD ACCENT.

>> [AUSTRALIAN ACCENT] HOW ARE YOU?

G'DAY, FELLAS.

Huell: ARE YOU REALLY--THAT'S NOT REALLY YOUR ACCENT.

>> NO, I'M AFRAID IT IS.

Huell: REALLY?

>> YUP.

Huell: SO HOW DID A GUY GET FROM AUSTRALIA TO ORANGE COUNTY TO FORT IRWIN?

>> OH, WELL, STARTED OFF WITH WORK AND THEN, YOU KNOW, GOT INVOLVED WITH AN AMERICAN LADY AND GOT MARRIED.

SO, YOU KNOW, THE FOOTBALL CLUB IS MY SECOND HOME, VIRTUALLY, SO... Huell: NOW ARE THESE GUYS--ARE YOU ALL--YOU'RE NOT ALL FROM AUSTRALIA, ARE YOU?

>> YEAH, I'M FROM AUSTRALIA.

Huell: REALLY?

>> YEAH.

Huell: WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

>> I LIVE IN NORTH HOLLYWOOD.

Huell: NORTH HOLLYWOOD?

AND WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

>> I'M FROM ADELAIDE ORIGINALLY, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, BUT LIVING HERE IN ORANGE COUNTY NOW.

WE, UH, WE BASICALLY GOT A TEAM OF ABOUT 20 GUYS.

PROBABLY--PREDOMINATELY AMERICANS, ACTUALLY, HERE PLAYING FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY BOMBERS, AND THE BIG PINNACLE AT THE END OF THE YEAR IS THE NATIONAL TOURNAMENT IN--IT'S PLAYED IN A DIFFERENT CITY OF AMERICA EACH YEAR.

THE 20 TEAMS FROM AROUND AMERICA THAT PLAY AUSTRALIAN RULES FOOTBALL GET TOGETHER FOR A NATIONALS COMPETITION AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

Huell: WELL, THIS ISN'T QUITE NATIONALS OUT HERE AT FORT IRWIN.

THIS IS A LITTLE SMALLER SCALE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT BEING OUT HERE?

>> THIS IS A BREEDING GROUND FOR THE NATIONALS PLAYERS.

THEY'VE GOTTA START SOMEWHERE.

NOW THIS IS PROBABLY--THIS IS PROBABLY THE FIRST TIME WE'VE ACTUALLY PLAYED ON THE BASE HERE.

WE'VE PLAYED IN BARSTOW AGAINST THE ARMY TEAM BEFORE.

BUT ON BASE HERE, IT'S GOOD TO SEE THAT THEY HAVE A FULL AMERICAN TEAM THAT GETS TOGETHER TO PLAY--TO PLAY AUSTRALIAN RULES FOOTBALL.

IT'S GOOD.

Huell: GOOD.

NOW, ARE YOU AUSTRALIAN?

>> I AM NOT, SIR.

Huell: WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

>> I'M A NATIVE OF ORANGE COUNTY.

Huell: ALL RIGHT.

THE FIRST GUY FROM ORANGE COUNTY WHO'S ON THE ORANGE COUNTY BOMBERS TEAM.

>> EXACTLY.

Huell: SO DO THESE GUYS FROM AUSTRALIA GIVE YOU A HARD TIME?

>> NOT AT ALL.

THEY'RE GREAT PEOPLE.

THEY RECRUITED ME OUT HERE AND I'VE BEEN HOOKED EVER SINCE.

IT'S A PRETTY FUN SPORT.

Huell: BETTER THAN SURFING?

>> YEAH, I'D SAY SO.

IT'S A LITTLE MORE PHYSICAL.

YOU GET A LITTLE FRUSTRATION OUT AND LET IT OUT IN THE FIELD.

IT'S A GOOD GAME, GOOD SPORT.

Huell: HE GETS HIS FRUSTRATION OUT.

>> IT'S DEFINITELY A GAME YOU CAN DO THAT IN.

IT'S--THEY CALL IT HERE A LITTLE BIT LIKE AMERICAN FOOTBALL WITHOUT PADS.

SO IF YOU CAN IMAGINE THAT, YOU'RE ABOUT TO SEE IT.

David: LET'S GO.

COME ON.

CHRIS.

CHRIS, LET'S GO.

COME ON, RUN.

Huell: SO WE'RE KIND OF IN THE HUDDLE RIGHT HERE.

David: ...WE'RE GONNA PUT OUR BIGGEST TARGETS IN THE GOAL SQUARE LIKE WE TALKED ABOUT AND YOU GUYS ARE GONNA FRONT AND CENTER ON THOSE GUYS.

SO WHEN THE BALL GETS TO YOU, IF YOU CAN'T MARK IT, YOU'RE GONNA PUT IT ON THE GROUND.

YOU GUYS RUN ONTO IT.

KICK THE GOAL.

RIGHT?

CHECK?

Huell: IS THAT ALL YOU NEEDED TO HEAR?

>> ROGER THAT, SIR.

David: AND THEN WHAT DO WE DO?

NOSE OVER THE BALL, RIGHT?

ALWAYS BEAT YOUR MAN TO THE BALL.

OK, DON'T LET HIM EVEN GET NEAR IT.

DON'T LET HIM TOUCH IT.

NOSE OVER THE BALL.

WIN THE BALL.

GET THE SCORE.

WE GOT THE WIND, LORD WILLING.

WE GET THE COIN TOSS THIS WAY.

WE'LL KICK SOME QUICK GOALS, GET ON TOP OF THEM.

THEY DON'T HAVE ANY HEART, SO WE'LL GET 'EM.

Huell: SO YOU GOT THE HEART?

>> WE GOT THE HEART, THE SOUL, AND THE POWER.

Huell: ALL RIGHT, NOW WHAT'S THE DEAL HERE WITH THE BALL?

HOW DOES THIS WORK COMPARED TO AMERICAN FOOTBALL?

WE'RE TRYING TO GET UP FOR THE GAME 'CAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TO ANTICIPATE.

>> ALL RIGHT, NEITHER DO I, REALLY.

NO, I'M JUST KIDDING.

UH, LIKE A KICK LIKE THAT-- ANYTHING MORE THAN 20 METERS IN THE AIR LIKE I CAUGHT IT... Huell: UH-HUH?

>> THEN THAT'S CALLED A MARK AND I GET A FREE KICK.

SO THEY CAN'T MOLEST ME WHILE I'M SETTING UP FOR MY NEXT KICK.

I CAN BACK UP AWAY FROM THE GOAL AND THEY'D HAVE TO STAND LIKE RIGHT WHERE YOU WERE.

Huell: SO YOU'RE GONNA KICK IT NOW?

>> YEAH.

I HAVE 10 SECONDS TO EITHER TRY TO KICK A GOAL, KICK IT TO WHERE MY BUDDY IS, OR, UH, THEY CAN COME IN AND CHARGE ME, OR I CAN JUST RUN OFF WITH IT.

Huell: NOW IS THIS HARD?

THIS IS A LOT DIFFERENT THAN AMERICAN FOOTBALL.

>> WELL, IT IS, YEAH, AND YOU HAVE TO BE MORE DISCIPLINED, AS IN THE HITS ARE A LOT CLEANER.

Huell: YOU'RE NOT WEARING HELMETS OR PADS OR ANYTHING.

>> YEAH, I GUESS THEY HAVE TO DO SOMETHING TO KEEP US SAFE.

BUT IT'S ALSO MORE TIRING.

'CAUSE IN FOOTBALL, YOU KNOW, YOU DO A 10-YARD SPRINT EVERY, UH, EVERY, LIKE 30 SECONDS OR SO.

HERE, IT'S LIKE SOCCER WHERE YOU'RE RUNNING THE WHOLE TIME.

SOCCER OR LACROSSE.

Huell: BUT YOU'RE NOT WEARING-- THERE ARE NO HELMETS?

THERE ARE NO PADS.

THIS IS PHYSICAL CONTACT?

>> CLEATS AND A MOUTH GUARD IS ABOUT THE MOST PROTECTION YOU CAN GET.

Huell: ALL RIGHT, LET'S SEE YOU KICK THAT THING.

WHERE ARE YOU GONNA KICK IT?

WHO ARE YOU GONNA KICK IT TO?

>> I'M GONNA KICK IT TO JIMMY.

Huell: THERE HE GOES.

>> HE'S ANOTHER MID-ATLANTIC BOY, SO I TRY TO LOOK FOR HIM DURING THE GAME.

Huell: WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

>> I'M FROM VIRGINIA.

HE'S FROM MARYLAND.

Huell: AND YOU KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THIS?

>> NOT A THING, SIR.

Huell: THAT KIND OF MAKES IT MORE INTERESTING.

>> IT SURE DOES AND, UH, YOU KNOW, AFTER COLLEGE, I THOUGHT I'D BE DONE PLAYING CONTACT SPORTS.

THIS GIVES US A CHANCE TO GET OUT HERE AND RUN AROUND SOME MORE.

Huell: AN AMERICAN TRADITION BEFORE THE GAME STARTS--YOU BRING OUT THE FLAG AND WHAT ARE YOU ALL GONNA DO HERE TODAY?

>> WE'LL BRING OUT THE FLAG AND THEN IT'LL BE UNFURLED AND THEN WE'LL SING OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM.

Huell: WHO'S GONNA SING IT?

>> I WILL SING IT.

Huell: YOU'RE GONNA SING IT?

YOUR NAME IS?

>> JEFF KANUP.

Huell: AND WHAT RANK?

Jeff: I'M A STAFF SERGEANT.

Huell: AND YOUR NAME?

>> ROB BRANSWORD.

Huell: WHAT RANK?

Rob: CAPTAIN.

Huell: ALL RIGHT, NOW YOU'RE GONNA BE SINGING THE AMERICAN NATIONAL ANTHEM.

ARE YOU GONNA BE SINGING THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL ANTHEM AS WELL?

Jeff: NO, I WON'T BE.

HA HA!

BUT WE'LL BE SINGING THE AMERICAN NATIONAL ANTHEM.

Huell: DO YOU KNOW THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL ANTHEM?

Jeff: NO, I SURE DON'T.

Huell: IS THERE AN AUSTRALIAN FLAG ANYWHERE NEAR THIS BASE?

Jeff: I DON'T THINK SO.

Huell: PROBABLY NOT.

SO TONIGHT, EVEN THOUGH IT'S AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL, IT'S THE AMERICAN NATIONAL ANTHEM.

Jeff: EXACTLY.

Huell: GOOD LUCK.

Jeff: THANK YOU.

Huell: WE'RE PUTTING OUT THE REFRESHMENTS, THE COOKIES.

THIS IS THE CONCESSION STAND RIGHT HERE, AND WHAT IS THIS CONCESSION STAND ALL ABOUT?

>> IT'S JUST TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE BLACK HORSE ASSOCIATION.

Huell: FOR THE BLACK HORSE ASSOCIATION.

WHAT IS THAT?

>> IT IS AN ASSOCIATION THAT'S RUN BY SOLDIERS FOR SOLDIERS.

IT'S NONPROFIT, SO PRETTY MUCH WE CAN JUST GO OUT AND RAISE MONEY AND GIVE IT BACK TO THE SOLDIERS.

Huell: AND WHAT'S THE MONEY USED FOR?

>> WELL, RIGHT NOW, WE'RE WORKING ON RAISING MONEY FOR THE SOLDIERS WHO ARE REDEPLOYING BACK TO FORT IRWIN FOR THEIR HOMECOMING.

Huell: FROM?

>> FROM IRAQ.

Huell: FROM IRAQ.

SO THE MONEY YOU RAISE TODAY HAS SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE NOW, DOESN'T IT?

>> IT ALWAYS DOES.

HA HA!

Huell: ISN'T THAT INTERESTING THAT, YOU KNOW--I MEAN, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU'RE BUYING A COOKIE HERE, YOU'RE DOING A LOT MORE THAN JUST BUYING A COOKIE, AREN'T YOU?

>> YUP.

YOU'RE SUPPORTING OUR TROOPS.

Huell: YEAH.

DO YOU HAVE RELATIVES OR FRIENDS... >> MY HUSBAND'S OVER THERE, BUT I'M ALSO ACTIVE DUTY AS WELL.

Huell: SO HE'S OVER THERE RIGHT NOW?

>> MM-HMM.

HE SURE IS.

Huell: NOW HAVE THESE GUYS PLAYED MUCH TOGETHER?

David: NO, ACTUALLY, THIS'LL BE THE FIRST TIME THIS TEAM'S PLAYED TOGETHER BECAUSE THIS KID RIGHT HERE, TIKI LAU, JUST GOT BACK FROM IRAQ.

GUY IS, UH, IS UP FOR THE BRONZE STAR FOR SAVING A SOLDIER'S LIFE.

Huell: YOU'RE KIDDING.

David: HE'S A REAL AMERICAN HERO.

HE'S GETTING A COIN TONIGHT, TOO.

Huell: SO A LOT OF THESE SOLDIERS HAVE ALREADY BEEN TO IRAQ OR ARE GOING BACK TO IRAQ.

David: THAT'S RIGHT.

Huell: AND DO YOU HAVE FORMER TEAM MEMBERS WHO ARE OVER THERE NOW?

David: WE HAVE ABOUT 25 KIDS THAT PLAYED LAST YEAR THAT ARE OVER IN IRAQ RIGHT NOW.

Huell: WOW.

SO YOUR TEAM MEMBERS ARE CONSTANTLY CHANGING BECAUSE OF THE WAR SITUATION.

David: ABSOLUTELY.

SO IT'S TOUGH FOR US TO KEEP A COMPETITIVE EDGE.

BUT AS YOU CAN SEE, THE GUYS COME OUT, THE GUYS PARTICIPATE.

THEY GIVE IT EVERYTHING THEY GOT.

WE'VE GOT NO AUSTRALIANS ON THIS TEAM.

ORANGE COUNTY'S GOT ABOUT-- Huell: I KNOW, WE'VE MET THEM.

David: YEAH.

Huell: THEY'RE ALL AUSTRALIAN.

THERE'S ONE GUY FROM ORANGE COUNTY.

David: RIGHT.

SO, YOU KNOW, IT PUTS US AT A COMPETITIVE DISADVANTAGE.

BUT WHAT WE LACK IN SKILLS THESE GUYS MAKE UP FOR IN HEART.

Huell: DO YOU THINK A LOT OF THESE GUYS--THIS GAME FOR A LOT OF THESE GUYS IS HELPING TO TAKE THEIR MIND OFF OF IRAQ AND WHAT THEY HAVE AHEAD OF 'EM?

'CAUSE A LOT OF 'EM ARE GETTING READY TO GO OVER THERE, AREN'T THEY?

David: SOME OF THESE GUYS ARE.

I MEAN, IT'S TOUGH.

WHEN YOU'RE FACING SOMETHING LIKE THAT, I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU CAN DO TO GET YOUR MIND OFF THAT IF YOU GOT FAMILY AND STUFF.

'CAUSE EVERY TIME WE'VE HAD A GUY GO THAT'S GOT KIDS AND A WIFE, YOU KNOW, THAT'S REALLY TOUGH.

Huell: HAVE YOU EVER HAD--I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO ASK IT-- BUT HAVE YOU EVER LOST ANY OF YOUR PLAYERS?

David: ACTUALLY, WE DID.

STAFF SERGEANT RANDY COLLINS.

UH...

HE'S A GREAT MAN AND, UH...

HE PERISHED OVER IN IRAQ DUE TO A MORTAR ROUND.

SO THAT'S PRETTY HEAVY FOR US TONIGHT, AND WE'RE GONNA TALK ABOUT THAT AS WELL.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE'VE PLAYED SINCE HE'S PASSED.

I TALKED TO HIS WIFE ROXANNE.

SHE'S A GREAT LADY, AND I ASKED HER IF IT WAS OK IF I COULD TALK TO THE GUYS ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WHAT HE MEANT TO US LAST YEAR AND STUFF HE DID FOR US.

SO, YEAH.

Huell: YOU'VE GOT YOUR OWN CHEERING SQUAD HERE.

>> SURE DO.

SURE DO.

IT'S A GREAT FEELING.

Huell: DO THEY COME TO ALL-- WELL, THEY HAVEN'T BEEN TO THAT MANY GAMES, HAVE THEY?

>> NO, NO, AND...BEING IN THE ARMY, WE CAN'T MAKE EVERY GAME OR EVERY PRACTICE.

BUT THEY'RE HERE FOR... Huell: YEAH, BECAUSE REALLY, YOU'VE GOT BIGGER--YOU'VE GOT A BIGGER RESPONSIBILITY THAN PLAYING A BALL GAME HERE.

>> RIGHT.

MISSION ALWAYS COMES FIRST.

MISSION FIRST.

Huell: YEAH.

HOW DOES THAT WORK INTO YOUR LIFE AS A SOLIDER?

>> I'M A SOLIDER FIRST.

SOLIDER FIRST AND THAT'S... EVERYTHING ELSE COMES SECOND, REALLY.

I TRY TO PUT MY FAMILY-- KEEP 'EM AS CLOSE AS I CAN.

BUT I ENLISTED AS A SOLIDER, AND I KNOW THAT'S WHAT IT TAKES.

SO... Huell: WELL, GOOD LUCK.

GOOD LUCK.

YOU'RE THE CHEERING SQUAD OVER HERE.

>> NICE TO SEE YOU.

OH, YEAH, I'M TRYING TO BE.

WE'RE TRYING TO BE.

Huell: TURN AROUND AND TAKE A LOOK AT THE CAMERA.

TURN AROUND LOOK!

THERE YA GO!

HA HA HA!

SO WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL?

>> YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW A WHOLE LOT... Huell: HE'S PLAYING IT, AND THAT'S WHAT'S IMPORTANT.

>> AND YOU PICK IT UP AS YOU WATCH IT.

IT'S REALLY NEAT.

Huell: THIS IS ALSO PART OF THIS WHOLE SUPPORT THING, THAT FAMILIES SUPPORT EACH OTHER REGARDLESS OF WHAT THEY'RE DOING, RIGHT?

>> YEAH, EXACTLY, EXACTLY.

AND WE'RE JUST BLESSED TO BE ABLE TO BE WITH HIM, AND HE'S HERE.

HE'S NOT AWAY, WHICH IS NICE.

BUT YOU NEVER KNOW, SO... Huell: YEAH.

'CAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF FAMILIES HERE WHOSE LOVED ONES ARE AWAY.

>> EXACTLY.

IN FACT, WE WENT TO A LUNCHEON IN LIEU OF THIS, AND A LOT OF THE GUYS ARE IN IRAQ, SO...WE GOT A FEW GUYS OUT HERE, SO THAT'S GOOD.

Huell: SO YOU'RE JUST--THE SCORE OF THE GAME ISN'T NEARLY AS IMPORTANT AS THE FACT THAT YOUR HUSBAND IS HERE.

>> EXACTLY, EXACTLY.

AND HE'S PLAYING IT AND WE LIKE WATCHING IT, AND THE KIDS REALLY GET INTO IT.

SO... Huell: ALL RIGHT, THEY'RE LINING UP HERE.

THIS IS VERY INTERESTING...TO WATCH IT OUT HERE.

HERE COMES THE ORANGE COUNTY TEAM, MADE UP PRIMARILY OF AUSTRALIANS.

HERE ARE THE GREEN MOJAVES FROM FORT IRWIN.

THEY GOT THE AMERICAN FLAG FLYING.

THE SUN IS SETTING OFF IN THE WEST.

THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL EVENING.

Jeff: ♪ OH, SAY CAN YOU SEE BY THE DAWN'S EARLY LIGHT WHAT SO PROUDLY WE HAILED AT THE TWILIGHT'S LAST GLEAMING?

WHOSE BROAD STRIPES AND BRIGHT STARS THROUGH THE PERILOUS FIGHT O'ER THE RAMPARTS WE WATCHED WERE SO GALLANTLY STREAMING, AND THE ROCKETS' RED GLARE, THE BOMBS BURSTING IN AIR GAVE PROOF THROUGH THE NIGHT THAT OUR FLAG WAS STILL THERE, OH, SAY, DOES THAT STAR-SPANGLED BANNER YET WAVE FOR THE LAND OF THE FREE AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE ♪ [APPLAUSE] Huell: BEFORE THE GAME STARTS, YOU GAVE SPECIAL RECOGNITION TO THIS GUY RIGHT HERE.

HE'S VERY MODEST TALKING ABOUT HIMSELF.

TELL US WHAT YOU TOLD EVERYBODY HERE ASSEMBLED TODAY.

>> SIR, I JUST TOLD THE TRUTH-- SPECIALIST TIKI LAU IS A HERO.

HE RESCUED ONE OF OUR SOLDIERS, SPECIALIST MANNY MENDOZA, WHOSE 113 WAS BLOWN UP BY A TRIPLE STACK OF 155 MORTAR ROUNDS.

Huell: IN IRAQ.

>> YES, SIR.

AND SPECIALIST LAU JUMPED OUT OF HIS TANK INTO IMMEDIATE DANGER, WAS TAKING SMALL ARMS FIRE, MORTAR ROUNDS.

AT THE EXPENSE OF HIS OWN LIFE, HE WENT AND SAVED SERGEANT MENDOZA...AND REVIVED HIM, TREATED HIS WOUNDS ON THE SPOT, AND HAD HIM MEDIVACED OUT.

Huell: ARE YOU GETTING AN AWARD FOR THIS OR...BEING RECOGNIZED IN SOME WAY?

Lau: YEAH, I'M BEING RECOGNIZED ON THE POST AND I'VE GOTTEN ARCOM OF VALOR.

Huell: AND HOW DO YOU FEEL WHEN YOU'RE HERE...THINKING ABOUT THERE AND YOUR FRIENDS WHO ARE STILL THERE?

Lau: I HAVE A GREAT RESPECT FOR THEM.

THINGS WORK OUT WHEN YOU'RE DOING YOUR JOB.

I FELT LIKE I WAS JUST DOING MY JOB.

AND...THERE'S MUCH RESPECT TO THE SOLDIERS OUT THERE AND THEIR FAMILIES OVER HERE.

Huell: WELL, YOU'RE BACK HERE NOW.

YOU'RE BACK HOME NOW, AND YOU'RE GETTING READY TO PLAY A GAME.

IN THE SCHEME OF THINGS, HOW IMPORTANT IS THIS GAME TO WHAT YOU'VE JUST BEEN THROUGH IN IRAQ?

Lau: VICTORY DEPENDS ON TEAMWORK.

THAT'S THE ONLY THING I CAN SAY.

Huell: WHETHER IT'S OVER THERE OR OVER HERE.

Lau: AND THEN LOSSES ARE GONNA HAPPEN, SO TEAMWORK CAN HELP YOU DEAL WITH YOUR LOSSES ALSO.

Huell: WELL, GOOD LUCK.

CONGRATULATIONS ON THE GOOD WORK YOU DID.

Lau: THANK YOU.

Huell: AND GOOD LUCK TONIGHT!

Lau: WELL, THANK YOU, SIR.

Huell: YOUR NAME AGAIN?

Lau: SATIKI LAU.

Huell: NICE TO MEET YOU, SIR.

Lau: THANK YOU.

[GROUP YELL] Game announcer: NICE CLEARING KICK TO THE CENTER OF THE FIELD, BUT NO MOJAVE PLAYERS THERE.

ORANGE COUNTY COMING OUT...

TAKING A NICE CLEARING KICK UP THE CENTER OF THE FIELD.

FINDS A COUPLE OF OPEN MEN, BUT NOT SOON ENOUGH.

THE BALL GOES OUT.

ORANGE COUNTY AGAIN WITH A SMALL KICK, FINDS HIS MAN.

MOJAVE'S NOWHERE TO BE FOUND.

NO ONE'S ON THE MARK.

KICK UP THE CENTER OF THE FIELD.

LOOKING FOR AN OPEN MAN.

DOESN'T FIND HIS FULL FORWARD.

SCRAPPY BALLS ON THE GROUND.

UNFORTUNATELY, THE UMPIRE'S GONNA CALL THAT ONE BACK FOR A THROW.

YOU HAVE TO PUNCH THE BALL OUTTA YOUR HAND.

FREE KICK FOR THE FORWARD.

WHAT'S HE GONNA DO WITH THIS?

IT'S GONNA BE TOUGH KICKING INTO THIS WIND.

LOOKS LIKE HE'S GOT IT, THOUGH.

NICE KICK.

AND HE CALLS THE GOAL.

6 POINTS.

Huell: ALL RIGHT, YOU'RE SITTING OUT HERE ON YOUR BLANKET ON THE SIDELINES.

WHY ARE YOU HERE?

WHO ARE YOU HERE TO SUPPORT?

>> THE MOJAVE GREENS.

Huell: WELL, OBVIOUSLY!

DO YOU KNOW THESE GUYS?

DO YOU WORK WITH THEM?

ARE THEY... >> ONE OF THEM IS IN MY HUSBAND'S UNIT, AND, UM... CONNELLY--I DON'T KNOW WHERE HE IS, WHAT NUMBER HE IS OUT THERE--AND A COUPLE OF OTHER GUYS WE KNOW JUST FROM AROUND THE POST.

Huell: SO THERE'S A LOT OF THIS ON THE POST, ISN'T THERE?

PEOPLE JUST SUPPORTING EACH OTHER JUST FOR THE SUPPORT OF IT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ABSOLUTELY.

Huell: WHY DO YOU THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT?

>> WELL, IF YOU LOOK AT WHERE WE LIVE, 40 MILES OUT INTO THE DESERT.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE-- THAT'S HOW WE SURVIVE OUT HERE.

WE SURVIVE THROUGH OUR FRIENDSHIP AND THROUGH THE SPORTS WE CAN WATCH OUT HERE AND THE DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS AND GROUPS THAT WE CAN JOIN.

Huell: THIS PROBABLY ALSO GOES OVER INTO THE WHOLE TRADITION OF SUPPORTING EACH OTHER THROUGH EVERYTHING.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ABSOLUTELY.

IT'S THE MILITARY WAY OF LIFE.

Huell: NOW, I'M SITTING IN THE STANDS WITH MRS. EDWARDS AND HER FAMILY, AND YOUR HUSBAND IS A... Mrs. Edwards: STAFF SERGEANT.

Huell: STAFF SERGEANT.

NOW, WHY ARE YOU ALL HERE?

IS HE PLAYING TODAY?

Mrs. Edwards: NO, HE'S GOT A FEW SOLDIERS OUT HERE PLAYING.

I HAVE A GIRLFRIEND WHOSE HUSBAND'S OUT HERE PLAYING.

SO WE'RE COMING OUT JUST TO SUPPORT THE TROOPS.

Huell: SO THE IDEA IS JUST TO SUPPORT THESE GUYS.

Mrs. Edwards: YES, SIR.

Huell: AND I HAVE A FEELING THIS GOES ON ALL THE TIME, WHETHER IT'S ON THE PLAYING FIELD OR JUST IN LIFE.

Mrs. Edwards: YES.

EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO PRETTY MUCH ON THE BASE IS BASICALLY TO SUPPORT THE TROOPS.

THEY GIVE A LOT OF TIME, EFFORT.

SOME PEOPLE HAVE GIVEN EVEN THEIR LIVES TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE.

SO WE JUST DO OUR BEST TO BE OUT HERE AND SUPPORTING THEM THE BEST WE CAN.

Huell: AND DO YOU THINK--HOW IMPORTANT DO YOU THINK THAT IS?

Mrs. Edwards: I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT.

I THINK ALL THE TROOPS NEEDS TO KNOW PEOPLE ARE OUT HERE SUPPORTING THEM AND THAT THEIR JOB IS SO WELL-RESPECTED AND THAT WE NEED THEM TO DO WHAT THEY'RE DOING.

SO WE JUST GIVE OUR PART, AND SOMETIMES YOU CAN'T DO TOO MUCH BUT JUST BE OUT HERE TO SAY WE APPRECIATE YOU, WE LOVE WHAT YOU DO, SO THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO.

Huell: WELL, DAVID, I HATE TO TELL YA...

BUT I THINK WE CAME ON A BAD NIGHT.

THE TEAM'S NOT DOING TOO WELL.

David: WELL, YEAH, I'M GONNA BLAME IT ON MOTHER NATURE.

THE WIND IS REALLY OUR ENEMY TONIGHT.

Huell: BUT YOU KNOW WHAT?

I'VE BEEN TALKING TO THE WIVES AND TO THE FAMILIES ON THE SIDELINES...

THEY'RE NOT DISAPPOINTED.

THEY'RE JUST GLAD TO BE HERE, TO BE A PART OF ALL THIS.

David: WELL, IT'S SOMETHING WE WANTED TO DO FOR A LONG TIME, AND AS THE ROTATION'S STILL GOING ON--WE HAVE THE TRAINING ROTATION--YOU KNOW, NUMBERS AREN'T WHAT WE WANTED.

BUT WHAT'S IMPORTANT IS WE'RE TRYING TO BUILD THE GAME UP AND GET MORE PEOPLE INVOLVED, AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO.

Huell: AND IT'S GOOD FOR MORALE, TOO.

COME ON.

David: OH, YEAH, IT'S GOOD CONDITIONING, BUT WHAT'S BETTER FOR MORALE IS WINNING.

WINNING ALWAYS HELPS MORALE.

Huell: WELL, WE'RE JUST GLAD THAT YOU GOT US HERE.

WE HAVE HAD AN ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL TIME.

I DON'T THINK WE'RE EVEN GONNA LET THE PEOPLE AT HOME-- WE'RE NOT EVEN GONNA GIVE THE FINAL SCORE, 'CAUSE WE DON'T EVEN KNOW THE FINAL SCORE.

BUT THAT'S NOT REALLY WHAT'S IMPORTANT AND THAT'S NOT REALLY WHY WE CAME TODAY IN THE FIRST PLACE.

WE CAME BECAUSE YOU INVITED US TO BE HERE AND WE WANTED TO SHARE THIS AFTERNOON WITH-- David: THAT A WAY, BOYS!

THAT A WAY, BOYS!

GET IT, COR!

Announcer: ...THE BALL UP IN THE AIR.

David: BACK UP!

BACK UP!

BACK UP!

Announcer: MOJAVE WITH THE MARK.

SCRAMBLING FOR PLAYERS UP IN THE FORWARD LINE.

GETS HIS KICK OFF.

David: KICK IT!

[CHEERING] Huell: SO WE SCORED!

David: WE SCORED.

WAY TO GO, BOYS!

Huell: IT'S NOW DOWN TO 100 DEGREES, WE'VE SCORED A TOUCHDOWN, ALL'S RIGHT WITH THE WORLD.

THANK YOU A LOT.

David: THANK YOU, SIR.

Huell: WE'VE HAD AN ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL DAY OUT HERE WITH OUR SOLDIERS...AT FORT IRWIN.

Announcer: BALL UP IN THE CENTER OF THE FIELD.

>> WIN THE BALL, BOYS!

Announcer: NICE CLEARING RUN UP THE CENTER OF THE FIELD.

TAKES A POINT.

>> IT'S NOT VERY OFTEN THAT I GET TO SPEND TIME WITH MY FAMILY, YOU KNOW?

BEING IN THE MILITARY, WE'RE ALWAYS APART.

ESPECIALLY IN MY CAREER.

MAYBE NOT FOR EVERYBODY ELSE.

BUT IN MY CAREER, WE SPEND A LOT OF TIME APART.

10 DAYS AFTER WE WERE MARRIED, I SPENT A YEAR IN KOREA.

SO, YOU KNOW, THINGS LIKE THAT HAPPEN.

I'VE BEEN BACK AND FORTH TO KOREA A FEW TIMES AND ALL OVER THE PLACE.

I TRAVEL A LOT WITH MY JOB.

LIKE I SAID, I'M NOT HOME A LOT.

I DON'T GET TO SPEND A LOT OF TIME WITH THEM, AND WE HAVE BEEN APART.

BUT I'M STILL OUT HERE PLAYING, AND THE GREAT THING IS I GOT MY KIDS AND EVERYBODY OUT HERE TO SUPPORT ME, AND IT'S GREAT TO TEACH 'EM NEW THINGS AND SEE NEW THINGS, 'CAUSE THIS IS A WHOLE NEW SPORT TO ME AS WELL AS THEM.

SO IT'S GREAT THAT I'M OUT HERE.

Huell: SO WHILE YOU'RE PLAYING OUT HERE ON THE FIELD, YOU'RE ALSO LOOKING HERE AT THEM.

>> OH, YEAH.

I LIKE--ESPECIALLY MY OLDER SON'S GOING ON 3 YEARS OLD, AND HE'S REAL, UH, YOU KNOW, BIG PAPA-ORIENTED, YOU KNOW?

HE REALLY LIKES HIS DAD.

AND I REALLY LIKE TO MAKE SURE HE SEES ME SO I CAN BRING HIM UP RIGHT.

Huell: YOU KNOW, MAYBE THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT THIS WHOLE THING THAT PEOPLE WHO...YOU HAVE TO ALMOST BE AWAY FROM YOUR FAMILY TO REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR FAMILY IN MANY WAYS.

>> YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES, YEAH.

I'LL AGREE WITH THAT TO A POINT.

TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING IS KIND OF A BAD THING, YOU KNOW... THAT EXPRESSION.

BUT, UH...BEING APART, IT REALLY MAKES SOMEONE...

UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY HAVE BACK HOME.

AND, UH, I REALLY APPRECIATE MY FAMILY.

THEY DO A LOT OF THINGS FOR ME.

AND, YOU KNOW SOMETIMES WE'RE NOT USED TO IT.

IN THE MILITARY, YOU KNOW, WE'RE USED TO BEING BY OURSELVES OR WITH OUR UNIT.

AND WHEN WE GET AROUND THE FAMILY SOMETIMES IT'S CHAOTIC AND, YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES THE KIDS JUST RUN UP TO YOU AND YOU'RE JUST NOT USED TO IT, AND SOMETIMES YOU GOTTA TAKE TIME OUT TO SAY...

I KNOW THAT THE KIDS WANNA SEE ME.

I KNOW MY WIFE WANTS TO SEE ME AND JUST TAKE A...SIGH OF RELIEF THAT YOU'RE STILL HERE TO SEE 'EM, BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW.

THE NEXT DAY, YOU MIGHT GET ORDERS TO GO, AND YOU MAY NOT COME BACK.

SO WE ALWAYS HAVE THAT IN THE BACK OF OUR HEAD, WE MAY NOT COME BACK, BUT... YOU KNOW, I'M COMING BACK!

HA HA.

I'M COMING BACK.

Announcer: NICE WALK BY MOJAVE.

HAND BALL TO PEACHE.

HAND BALL TO COREY.

GOAL...

HE'S OFF.

1 POINT.

[YELLING IN BACKGROUND] Announcer: BALL'S ON THE GROUND.

[INDISTINCT PLAY-BY-PLAY] [PLAYERS YELLING, CLAPPING] [CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY KCET PUBLIC TELEVISION AND FRIENDS OF NCI] [CAPTIONED BY THE NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE --www.ncicap.org--] Announcer: VISITING WITH HUELL HOWSER IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH A GENEROUS GRANT FROM...