MARINA

1997 RECORD: 5-4-1 overall, 1-3-1 in league

COACH: Mark Rehling (9-20-1 at school)

RETURNING STARTERS: 6 on offense, 6 on defense

TOP RETURNERS

Scot Austin, QB, 6-4, 210, Sr.; Marti Bustamante, OL, 6-1, 250, Sr.; Joe Hendrickson, LB, 5-8, 170, Sr.; John Manley, DL, 5-11, 205, Jr.; Ray Mietiewicz, FB/LB, 6-2, 240, Jr.; Manoa Pouono, OL/DL, 6-2, 245, Jr.; Kevin Romberg, OL/DL, 6-2, 240, Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

M.J. Ansel, OL, 6-2, 235, Jr.; Justin Golden, WR, 6-2, 185, Sr.; Sean Morrisey, WR/DB, 6-0, 165, Sr.; Brandon Thornton, WR/DB, 6-1, 170, Jr.

OUTLOOK

Poor Marina. In many other county leagues the Vikings would be considered a team on the rise and a playoff contender. But the Sunset isn’t like most other leagues, and the task to get past Esperanza, Los Alamitos, Fountain Valley and Edison is daunting. Nonetheless, Marina does have a shot at postseason play. There are 26 returning lettermen. For a change, Marina’s linemen have good size, led by all-league selectee Romberg, which should make them competitive. But the starters must stay healthy. Second-team all-league pick Austin (660 yards passing, 524 yards rushing), a three-year starter, must throw more touchdowns (seven) than interceptions (10) this season. Mietiewicz (792 yards) must prove his all-league sophomore season wasn’t a fluke. And a new secondary must stand up to the sophisticated passing attacks that define the league. That’s a lot to demand of any team. Rehling’s squad probably won’t win its first league championship, but the Vikings do have a chance to play more than 10 games.

SCHEDULE

Sept. 11 vs. Corona del Mar at Westminster HS; 17 at Newport Harbor; 24 vs. Upland at Westminster HS.

Oct. 2 at Westminster; 8 vs. Mission Viejo at Westminster HS; 16 vs. Edison at Huntington Beach HS; 23 vs. Fountain Valley at Huntington Beach HS; 30 vs. Huntington Beach at Westminster HS.

Nov. 5 vs. Esperanza at Westminster HS; 12 vs. Los Alamitos at Veterans Stadium.