Edison Wins, Hopes for At-Large Playoff Berth

Edison made its argument for an at-large Division I playoff berth with a 24-7 victory over Marina Friday at Huntington Beach High.

The Chargers made their points from start to finish, taking the lead two plays into the game and then protecting the lead by limiting Marina to one offensive play in the final 12 minutes of the game.

Edison (6-3-1, 2-3 in the Sunset League) finished fourth in the league and is one of three contenders for the only at-large berth in Division I. Although Del Rey League representative Crespi (6-4) can point to the strength of its league and San Clemente (6-3-1) has a victory over Capistrano Valley, a team Edison played to a tie, Edison Coach Dave White says the Chargers have shown their merit.

“We were ranked fifth [in Division I] three weeks ago, and we lost by a total of [six] points to three teams that are ranked in the top 10 in the division. If that’s not good enough, then there’s something wrong.”

Edison’s three league losses were all decided in the final minute as the Chargers fell to Esperanza by one point, Fountain Valley by two, and Los Alamitos by three.

Friday, they made sure it one wouldn’t come down to the final minute. Darin Pope ran 78 yards for a touchdown on the game’s second play for a 7-0 lead. That lead was increased to 21-0 by the half after Jeff Grady connected with Brian Waters on scoring passes of 10 and five yards.

Marina (5-4-1, 1-3-1) narrowed the lead to 21-7 with eight minutes left in the game. After the Vikings blocked an Edison field-goal attempt, Steve Franks ran 79 yards for a touchdown on the next play.

However, that was the only offensive play Marina ran in the fourth quarter. Edison ran nearly seven minutes off the clock before David Yonts’ 40-yard field goal with 1:30 left. Marina fumbled on the ensuing kickoff.