Eisenhower Too Much for Marina

The speed and depth of Rialto Eisenhower’s backfield was more than enough to offset the power running of Marina fullback Ray Mietkiewicz Friday night.

The Eagles defeated Marina, 30-13, in a Southern Section Division I first-round playoff game at Eisenhower.

Mietkiewicz carried 31 times for 192 yards and scored both Viking touchdowns, but it wasn’t enough. Eisenhower outgained Marina in total offense, 372-258.

Eisenhower’s top runner, Mario McDowell, scored twice and ran for 159 yards in 18 carries.

The Eagles (10-1) opened a 14-7 lead in the second quarter, but blew an opportunity to get a field goal on the final play of the second quarter because of a bad snap.

But the Eagles rebounded and controlled most of the second half.

The difference in the game according to Marina Coach Mark Rehling was the inability of the Vikings to make big plays at key times on both sides of the ball.

“Eisenhower’s skill players were all very good,” Rehling said. “they come at you at all angles and we were just unable to stop them.”

Early in the fourth quarter Eisenhower drove 63 yards in six plays with McDowell scoring his second touchdown on 32-yard run.

Marina (5-5-1) responded with a sustained drive, but Mietkiewicz was stopped on a fourth-down run at midfield.

The Eagles took advantage of the defensive stop. They drove 50 yards, finishing the scoring drive with a three-yard run by Michael Hawkins with three minutes left in the game.

Marina trailed 14-0 early in the second quarter when Mietkiewicz capped an 80-yard, 17-play drive when he went in from the three-yard line with 1:10 left before halftime. The drive lasted eight minutes.

Mietkiewicz was fortunate on the previous play. He fumbled, but it bounced back into his hands.

Mietkiewicz finished the season with 1,871 yards.