Marina Again Rocks the Sunset Boat

Huntington Beach Marina’s run of late-season upsets continued Thursday with a 29-27 victory over No. 16 Fountain Valley in a Sunset League football game at Huntington Beach High.

It was the second consecutive game that Marina (4-5, 2-2) knocked off the No. 16 team in The Times’ rankings. The Vikings beat Esperanza, 35-14, last week.

“We beat two great football teams back to back,” Marina Coach Mike Dodd said. “Our kids and our coaches have done a great job.”

Marina’s Keith Hayward intercepted a pass and returned it 40 yards for a touchdown to put the Vikings up, 29-20, with two minutes to play. Fountain Valley quarterback Casey Clark and wide receiver Travis Simon combined on a 79-yard pass play for a touchdown with 42 seconds left in the game.

Fountain Valley (6-2-1, 1-2-1) then recovered the onside kick but turned the ball over on downs with three seconds to play.

Turill Engelman rushed for 143 yards in 21 carries and scored on runs of nine and 57 yards for Marina, which will advance to the playoffs with a victory over Huntington Beach next week.