Miscues hurt as Vikings drop opener

WESTMINSTER — A beautiful new football stadium at Boswell Field meant no fans on the field. As the announcer reminded the fans near the end of the game, only those with a yellow access pass were allowed on Friday night as Marina High opened its season against Capistrano Valley.

New digs, but same problems for the Vikings, as two big turnovers were too much to overcome in a 21-10 loss.

“The thing that killed us tonight was two turnovers deep in our territory.” Coach Dan Petrone said. “Two turnovers led to two scores, and it’s a different ballgame ... that just can’t happen.”

Marina turned it over five times against Capo Valley last year in a 23-14 loss. This time around, the Vikings were ahead of the game 3-0 late in the third quarter before the misfortune began.

A fumbled handoff was recovered by the Cougars at the Marina 11-yard line. Two plays later, Capo Valley senior Jonathan Mullins punched it in from five yards out to give the Cougars a 7-3 lead with 2:59 left in the third quarter.

After a six-yard rushing score from Clay Guess, Capo Valley had pushed the lead to 14-3. And, on Marina’s next possession, an intercepted pass was returned to the Vikings 15.

Again, two plays later, Capo Valley found the end zone on Guess’ eight-yard touchdown scamper.

“We’ve got to cut down on turnovers,” said Marina junior receiver/defensive back Mitch Huffman, who did intercept a pass for the Vikings. “If we keep the ball, it’s a whole different ball game. Last year we lost to them and we had like five turnovers. It was a similar game.”

Marina pulled within 21-10 when junior Nick Dallas ran it in from two yards out with 3:13 left in the game. But, after senior Patrick Millius’ extra point, an onside kick try was unsuccessful.

Millius also kicked the 27-yard field goal in the second quarter.

Marina was well under 100 total yards on offense until the fourth quarter, when quarterback Nick Marshall connected with senior Kyle Breedlove on a 51-yard bomb. Senior Delano Douglas also caught a 28-yard pass on the same drive, setting up Dallas’ touchdown run.

Cash Duarte also caught three passes for 28 yards as the aerial attack was efficient at times. And defensively, the play of the front four of Andrew Harris, Calvin Van Hofwegen, Tim Shenett and Alex Willingham slowed the Cougars for much of the game.

However, the Vikings struggled to keep their ground game going.

“We’ll have to look at the film to see what was going on in the interior, why we couldn’t get our run game going,” Petrone said. “The film, I’m sure, will tell a lot.”

Marina plays Westminster on Sept. 18 at Boswell Field. The game is technically a home game for the Vikings.