New Marina football coach Charlie TeGantvoort encouraged by progress of his squad

Marina Coach Charlie TeGantvoort talks to his players during a practice. (Photo courtesy Genesee W. Atkins).

Marina High School’s first-year football coach Charlie TeGantvoort said this week he’s pleased with the development of his squad with the season about a month away.

“We are very excited about the positive progress that our Marina Viking football players have made through spring football and now into summer both on and off the field,” said TeGantvoort, who was highly successful as head coach at Santa Ana High School.

“We have a great group leaders who have been very active in not just making sure Marina Viking football is respected on the field but off the field as well in their classrooms and communities.”

…With no line, there will be no shine.

Charlie TeGantvoort, Marina football coach

The new coach said the team has some keys to success.

“We will be relying on our linemen to lead the way anchored by seniors Bryson Owen, Tyler Smith and Zach Hanna with junior Emitt Been. We have some tremendous skill with Ty Green, Micah Rhodes, Jake Russell, Garrett Hunnicutt, Payton Eksdet, Anthony Fabian … but with no line, there will be no shine,” he said.

“While there is still a tremendous amount of work to get done, we have made our goals centered around winning championships and that is what we will be working every day here at Marina to achieve! Go Vikings.”

TeGantvoort takes over for Jeff Turley who resigned after nine seasons as Marina coach. The Vikings had a 1-9 record last season but had some success under Turley, winning the CIF Division 11 title in 2019.

TeGantvoort had a 74-22 record at Santa Ana and led the Saints to four league titles. His squads made the CIF playoffs every year (except for the spring 2021 season when no CIF playoffs were held) and had a winning record each season.

The Vikings new coach outlined his goals with OC Sports Zone in January:

“We will work as hard as possible together to make sure that all our Viking football players make everyone proud of them through achieving success on the field, in the classroom, in the community, and especially when they leave our campus to become successful adults in college and business. I can not wait to get started and to get working for all that success and more.”

2023 SCHEDULE

(Home games at Westminster)

Friday, Aug. 18, (H) vs. Sunny Hills

Friday, Aug. 25 (H) vs. Fountain Valley

Friday, Sept. 1, at San Dimas

Thursday, Sept. 7 (H) vs. Redlands

Thursday, Sept. 14, at Huntington Beach

Thursday, Sept. 21 (H) vs. Aliso Niguel

Friday, Sept. 29, at Los Altos

Friday, Oct. 13 (H) vs. Garden Grove

Saturday, Oct. 21, at Katella

Friday, Oct. 27, at Segerstrom

RELATED

FOOTBALL UPDATE: Countdown to the start of OC high school season under way

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