DIVISION 11: Marina hoping to make the season even more special with one more win

Marina is led by (from left) linebacker Nathan O’Rourke, wide receiver/defensive back Eric Church; Coach Jeff Turley, lineman Isaia Regan and lineman Chase Hoglund. (Photo Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone)

Marina High’s football players are hoping to cap a special season with one more victory in the CIF Division 11 playoffs Friday night.

The No. 2 seeded Vikings take on Muir, the No. 4 seed in the championship game at Westminster High. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. Friday night.

It’s the first trip to the finals for Marina, which captured the Big 4 League title, its first league title since 1986.

“This is an ubelievable experience for these kids,” said Marina Coach Jeff Turley. “I’m happy I got to be part of getting them here. It’s been fun just watching our fans and our student body and everybody being so excited about the road getting here.

“I would have never expected as many people as we had travel to Hemet (for the semifinals). It’s great for the school and great for the community.”

Marina (11-2) advanced to the finals with a 27-7 victory over Hemet in the semifinals. It was the Vikings sixth win in a row.

The Vikings are led by running back Pharoah Rush, who has run for 1,134 yards and 13 touchdowns. Wide receiver Dane Brenton has 35 catches for 623 yards and 12 touchdowns Eric Church has 33 catches for 602 yards and six touchdowns.

The two quarterbacks, both juniors, have been Jack Miller, who has passed for 1,226 yards and 14 touchdowns and Gavin Del Toro, who has thrown for 941 yards and 12 touchdowns.

The defense is led by senior linebacker Nathan O’Rourke, who has more than 130 tackles and four sacks. The Marina defense has almost 40 sacks led by junior lineman Darren Vasquez, who has nine.

Muir (11-2) is led by a strong defense, which has allowed 20 points only twice this year. Quarterbacks Erik Wallace and Amaris Harrison lead the offense and their favorite target is wide receiver John Humphreys who has 12 TD catches. The Mustangs defense has recorded more than 70 sacks this season. Muir is out to bring home the school’s fourth CIF title.

“You get to the championship and the team you’re going to play is a good team,” Turley said. “They’re solid. You have two teams who have pretty good defenses and you have some explosive guys on the offensive side. I’m expecting a really good game. It’s going to be a battle.”

Turley was the defensive coordinator at Long Beach Poly for 15 years before coming to Marina. So, he is aware of what it’s like being in a championship game.

But for all his players, it will be a new experience in a title game.

-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com