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WESTMINSTER — Marina’s football team opened several eyes in the offseason with the addition of assistant coach Eric Johnson, Mater Dei’s acclaimed defensive coordinator.
The Vikings’ play on the field is now making Orange County take notice.
Shane Cassidy caught two touchdowns from Garrett Hunnicutt and added an interception on defense to help Marina improve to 4-0 with a 31-7 victory against short-handed Pacifica in a nonleague game Thursday at Westminster High.
The Mariners (1-3) played without standout David Carlsson (ejection last week) but Marina excelled on both sides of the ball.
Hunnicutt, a three-year starting QB, passed for a season-high 272 yards and also rushed for a score. Cassidy hauled in four catches for a season-high 164 yards, including touchdowns of 18 and 93 yards.
Marina’s defense, coordinated by the 72-year-old Johnson, forced three turnovers and shut out Pacifica in the second half.
“I hope (Orange County) gives us some respect for what we’ve done so far but we’re not done yet,” Hunnicutt said. “We’ve been working hard and (the start) is everything we wanted. We’re doing good. We just got to keep working hard and not get all caught up in our head.”‘
Marina’s focus showed in the teams’ so-called “Battle for Springdale St.”
The Vikings led 21-7 at halftime and quickly extended the lead in the third quarter.
Defensive lineman Duk Caldwell recovered a fumble at his 24-yard line that Marina turned into a 1-yard TD run by Gabe Carles.
In the fourth quarter, Caiden Scolfield booted a 32-yard field goal to cap the scoring.
Marina’s defense was paced by Aidan Hunt, Jake Russell and Brayden O’Rourke among others. Shayden Sorochman added an interception.
“We had a good game but we want to be great,” second-year Marina coach Charlie TeGantvoort said. “We have great goals. I’m very happy and proud that we won but we want to keep it going. … We want to win a CIF championship, and beyond.”
Marina led 21-7 at halftime but almost opened a three-touchdown lead in the final seconds.
Cassidy intercepted a pass at his 18 late in the second quarter and returned the ball to the Pacifica 17 with 55 seconds left. Pacifica’s defense, however, held on two plays from its 1 to close the half.
Cassidy delivered a huge first half.
The 6-foot-5 senior made a leaping 18-yard touchdown reception on third down from Hunnicutt to open the scoring. The touchdown capped a short drive after the Vikings returned the opening kickoff 78 yards to the Mariners 13.
Hunnicutt extended the lead to 14-0 on a 2-yard touchdown run and later tossed a 93-yard touchdown to Cassidy on another third-down strike as Marina led 21-0 after the first quarter.
“(Pacifica) was definitely keying in on the run because our running backs Gabe (Carles) and (Francis) Saporito have been going off and our (offensive line) has been playing amazing,” Hunnicutt said of the Mariners’ success passing.
Pacifica backup quarterback Ethan McLaughlin responded with a 63-yard touchdown pass to Armando Torres early in the second quarter but the Mariners forced two turnovers to stall the Mariners’ comeback attempt.
Next week, Marina plays host to Esperanza on Sept. 20 at Westminster High. Pacifica plays at Walnut on Sept. 20.
Marina and Pacifica will then each take a bye week before opening league play on Oct. 4.
