Big Five Conference : Marina’s Big Second Half Stops Bishop Amat, 33-12

Marina High School broke open a close game with 19 straight points in the second half Saturday night to upset top-seeded Bishop Amat, 33-12, in a Southern Section Big Five Conference quarterfinal game played in front of 6,000 at Westminster High School.

The Vikings, who two weeks ago lost to Edison, 51-14, advance to next week’s semifinals against Long Beach Poly, which defeated Fontana, 10-9, Friday night.

Marina (8-3-1) led, 14-12, at halftime and went ahead, 20-12, when fullback Sean Magula broke free for a 50-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. Magula gained 165 yards on 17 carries and scored 2 touchdowns.

The Vikings turned the game into a rout with two fourth-quarter scores, the first coming on Rick Vanderriet’s 21-yard touchdown pass to Brian Sterzer and the second on Magula’s 67-yard touchdown run.

The Lancers, who entered with an 11-0 record, were ranked eighth in the nation this week by USA Today, but they couldn’t get their running game going against a tough Viking defense. Marina gained 246 yards rushing compared to Bishop Amat’s 65.

The Lancers’ star running back, Eric Bienemy gained 45 yards in 15 carries.

“We knew they were really good, and reading that ranking this week made us play a little harder,” said Dave Thompson, Marina Coach.