MARINA
1999 RECORD: 5-5-1 overall, 3-2 in league
COACH: Mike Dodd (0-0 at school)
RETURNING STARTERS: 4 on offense, 6 on defense
TOP RETURNERS
Beau Brown, QB, 5-10, 170, Sr.; Aaron Williams, RB/CB, 6-0, 190, Sr.; Adam Hayward, LB/TB, 5-11, 190, Jr.; Sam Prince, TE/LB, 6-1, 190, Jr.; Inoke Tukia, TE, 6-1, 190, Sr.; Ken Weber, SS/FB, 5-10, 200, Sr.; Layton Bowles, C/LB, 6-2, 185, Sr.; Andrew Strither, OL/NG, 5-10, 190, Sr.; Aaron Peck, CB/WR, 5-10, 175, Jr.; Bernard Mitchell, DB/WR, 6-0, 190, Sr.; Brian Sipkovich, WR, 6-1, 185, Jr.; Josh Mims, SS, 6-0, 180, Sr.; Kevin Rodriguez, TB/SS, 5-8, 175, Sr.; Chris Hanvey, LB, 6-0, 185, Sr.; Turrill Engleman, WR/C, 6-0, 180, Jr.; Phil Sommerfeld, K, 6-1, 200, Jr.; Sean Kennedy, LB/TE, 6-0, 190, Sr.; Brandon Thompson, OL, 6-2, 260, Sr.
TOP NEWCOMERS
Tom Ansel, QB, 6-1, 190, Jr.; Bryan Whitmore, OL, 6-2, 215, Jr.; Matt Mendez, CB, 5-8, 160, Sr.; Jeno Gilia, DL, 5-9, 175, Jr.; Danny O’Brien, OL, 6-1, 180, Jr.; Aaron Chase, OL, 6-1, 180, Jr.; Jason Jordan, CB/WR, 6-0, 190, So.
OUTLOOK
Dodd assumes perhaps the toughest coaching situation in the county as he replaces Mark Rehling, who was fired after leading the Vikings to the playoffs last season. But Dodd likes the fact that few are expecting much out of Marina this season because it gives him an opportunity to pull a few surprises. Dodd already shook things up a bit in spring practice by switching offenses from the option to the fly, a misdirection set that allows teams to take advantage of speed while de-emphasizing the importance of the offensive line. That’s a good tactic, since the Vikings have no returning starters along the offensive line. What Marina does have is a proven winner in quarterback Brown and a quick back in the explosive Williams. Tukia’s role has been expanded from linebacker to include time on the offense as a tight end.
SCHEDULE
Sept. 8 vs. Paramount at Huntington Beach HS; 14 at Newport Harbor; 22 vs. Lakewood Mayfair at Bellflower HS; 29 at Westminster.
Oct. 6 vs. El Toro at Westminster High; 12 vs. Los Alamitos at Long Beach Veterans Stadium; 19 vs. Esperanza at Westminster High; 26 vs. Edison at Huntington Beach HS.
Nov. 3 at Huntington Beach; 9 vs. Fountain Valley at Westminster High.