FINDING THE TOUCH : Marconi Is a Big Reason Behind San Pedro High’s 3-0 Start

San Pedro High quarterback Rino Marconi struggled through a frustrating first half last week in a nonleague game against Venice.

“Nothing was clicking for him,” Coach Mike Walsh said. “He was one of 11 (passing) to start the game and two of the passes were sure touchdowns. A younger kid would’ve folded, but he hung in there and had a big second half.”

Marconi responded by completing nine of 10 passes in the second half as the Pirates rallied for a come-from-behind 21-19 victory.

Walsh said Marconi’s performance demonstrates how he has developed as a quarterback since last season.

“I don’t know if a younger Rino would have done that but this year has been different,” he said.

The development of Marconi has been a major factor in the rise of the Pirates, who are 3-0 going into their Southern Pacific Conference opener against Gardena at 7:30 tonight at Daniels Field in San Pedro.

Marconi, 17, said he matured considerably during the summer after working out with weights and practicing under the direction of former El Toro High Coach Bob Johnson, whose sons, Bret and Rob, are quarterbacks at Michigan State and USC, respectively.

“I was working out in Orange County with Coach Johnson and he taught me how to read coverage, so I thought I was more prepared for this season,” Marconi said. “This summer I also worked out with weights, so I feel that I’m stronger.”

In fact, at 6-foot-1 and 188 pounds, the senior is about two inches taller and 15 pounds heavier than he was last season.

“I think the weights helped me a lot,” Marconi said. “I was surprised how much it helped. I didn’t think I’d get much bigger if I worked out with weights, but I really have.”

Marconi, who worked on his quarterback skills in the off-season with the San Pedro coaching staff, says he entered the season with more confidence.

“I can honestly say that I felt good the first time I dropped back into the pocket this season,” he said.

Not that Marconi was a stranger to the position before he started for the Pirates.

He has played quarterback since competing in the Pop Warner League at age 8.

“I never really wanted to (play quarterback), but my dad really pushed me,” Marconi said. “My dad started coaching me when I was 8 years old and he made me into a good quarterback. He gave me the number 12 and I’ve had it ever since.”

Marconi started his high school career at Bishop Montgomery, where he played quarterback on the freshman team. After transferring to San Pedro, he became a starting defensive back on the varsity as a sophomore.

He returned to his more accustomed position of quarterback last season, completing 71 of 162 passes for 1,212 yards, 14 touchdowns and only seven interceptions. He was named to the All-Southern League team.

This season, Marconi has completed 28 of 52 passes for 449 yards and two touchdowns. He has thrown only one interception.

It is Marconi’s completion percentage and interception total that impress Walsh.

“For a team that’s running the football as much as we do, I would say that’s a pretty good figure,” Walsh said.

Walsh is also sold on other aspects of Marconi’s game.

“I think mentally he’s made a lot of progress, but physically he’s always had the talent,” Walsh said. “He’s a fiery competitor, he’s a good team player and he’s one of the most likable players you could ever have.”

Walsh said Marconi must work on remaining calm during games.

“When it comes to a pressure situation, sometimes I have to calm down because I just get pumped up like a linebacker,” Marconi said. “Sometimes the coach tells me, ‘You just have to calm down.’ ”

Marconi says playing with a lot of intensity comes naturally.

“I think that’s how it has always been with me,” he said. “When I was in Pop Warner ball, I played linebacker and acted that way and I guess it just carried on since then.”

Although colleges have been slow to express interest in Marconi, Walsh said he believes his quarterback has the ability to play on the next level.

“I’ve gotten a lot of letters, but I haven’t actually spoken to any recruiters yet,” Marconi said.

For now, Marconi is concentrating on his senior season and hoping to win Southern League and City 3-A Division titles.

“I’m looking forward to college, but I know I’ll miss San Pedro because I was born and raised here,” he said. “Since my 10th grade year, there’s been a lot of pride in the team here. After the season, I’ll worry about the other things.”