Marina Beats Oilers, 7-3, to End Losing Streak

Marina’s Adam Hayward scored the game’s only touchdown with 4 minutes 24 seconds to play Friday, helping the Vikings break a three-game losing streak with a 7-3 Sunset League win over host Huntington Beach.

After beginning their first possession of the game at the Huntington Beach 38-yard line, the Vikings (6-3, 1-3) reached the Oiler 13 before the drive stalled. Sean Sanchez lined up to attempt a 30-yard field goal, but a high snap was bobbled by the Marina holder and Sanchez never got the kick away.

The Oiler defense then shut down the Vikings until late in the fourth quarter.

“We didn’t move the ball very well and we had a lot of missed opportunities,” Marina Coach Mike Dodd said. “Their defense played really well tonight.”

Huntington Beach (2-7, 0-4) also squandered opportunities, as Mike DeHart missed two 33-yard field-goal attempts before finally hitting a 32-yarder late in the third quarter to give the Oilers a 3-0 lead.

“We had plenty of chances, but we just couldn’t capitalize,” Oiler Coach Tony Ciarelli said. “It’s kind of the story of our season.”

Marina began its winning drive on its 40 with just over seven minutes remaining. Six plays later, Viking quarterback Tom Ansil hit a wide-open Kenny Weber with a 16-yard pass to the Oiler nine, and Hayward scored on the next play.

The victory was special for Dodd, who is in his first year with Marina after coaching at Huntington Beach for 18 years.

“I’ve got a lot of friends at Huntington, and, personally, this was a great win for me,” he said.

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SUNSET

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League Overall School W L T W L T Esperanza 4 0 0 8 1 0 Edison 4 0 0 8 1 0 Los Alamitos 2 2 0 7 2 0 Marina 1 3 0 6 3 0 Fountain Valley 1 3 0 4 5 0 Huntington Beach 0 4 0 2 7 0

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WEEK 9

Friday’s results

* Edison 16, Fountain Valley 3

* Esperanza 35, Los Alamitos 7

* Marina 7, Huntington Beach 3

WEEK 10

Thursday, Nov. 9

Esperanza vs. Edison at Huntington Beach HS

Fountain Valley vs. Marina at Westminster HS

Huntington Beach vs. Los Alamitos at Veterans Stadium