MARINA

1996 RECORD: 1-9 overall, 0-5 in league

COACH: Mark Rehling (4-16 at school)

RETURNING STARTERS: 7 on offense, 8 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Scott Austin, QB, 6-4, 210, Jr.; Travis Bond, LB, 5-9, 180, Sr.; Ryan Daguro, RB, 5-10, 175, Sr.; Luke Dunbar, OL, 6-5, 295, Sr.; Ben Forbes, DL, 6-3, 205, Sr.; Steve Frank, DB, 6-0, 190, Sr.; Donald Lank, WR/DB, 5-11, 175, Sr.; Kevin Romberg, OL, 6-2, 225, Jr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Joe Gallucci, OL/DL, 5-11, 215, So.; Noah Pouono, DL, 6-2, 220, So.

OUTLOOK

It’s a good thing for Rehling that school officials (and hopefully the parents) are giving him the time to rebuild the Marina program, which hit rock bottom last year. Sunset opponents, in particular, ran roughshod over the Vikings; Marina scored 21 total points in league (14 against Fountain Valley, seven against Esperanza) while opponents scored 197. Marina was also shut out three times in Sunset play. But this season might be the beginning of a turnaround. If nothing else the 15 returning starters are a year older and stronger. Dunbar and Romberg will try to keep Austin (52 of 156, 615 yards, 4 touchdowns, 15 interceptions) from having to run for his life on every pass play. Daguro (373 yards) will try to fill the running shoes of the graduated Jason Locklin. Perhaps key to the Vikings’ hopes is whether the defense can keep games from getting out of hand early; last year Marina was outscored, 78-6, in the first quarter, meaning most games were over before they started. The playoffs might still be beyond Marina’s reach for another season. Of more immediate concern is ending the six-game losing streak the Vikings take into this season.

SCHEDULE

Sept. 12 vs Corona del Mar at Newport Harbor HS; 19 at Newport Harbor; 25 vs. Bellflower St. John Bosco at Westminster HS.

Oct. 3 at Westminster; 9 vs. Foothill at Tustin HS; 17 vs. Fountain Valley at Westminster HS; 24 at Huntington Beach; 30 vs. Los Alamitos at Westminster HS.

Nov. 7 vs. Esperanza at Westminster HS; 14 vs. Edison at Huntington Beach HS.