No Great Feet, but Marina Beats Norco

WESTMINSTER —  In a game that was nearly decided by ill-fated extra-point attempts by both teams, Marina running back John Marvos finally settled the score with Norco.

Marvos scored on a four-yard run with 50 seconds remaining as Marina rallied for a 19-12 nonleague victory Thursday night at Westminster High School.

Marina (5-3) won its third consecutive game; Norco, top-ranked in Division V, dropped to 6-2.

With the score tied, 12-12, Marina got the ball on Norco’s 41 with 6:15 left after a 29-yard punt by Norco’s Colby Buttner. Chris DellaCroce completed a 17-yard pass to David Anderson and a nine-yard pass to Danny DeLucca as the Vikings drove to the Cougar four.

Marvos, who finished with 53 yards in 14 carries, took over from there, blasting up the middle for the touchdown.

The Vikings’ Donny McMahan then made it 19-12 with his extra-point kick, the only successful attempt by either team. Marina blocked both of Norco’s tries.

Marina had tied the game, 12-12, when DellaCroce threw a 19-yard pass to Anderson, who finished with five catches for 107 yards. DellaCroce was eight for 14 for 153 yards.

But the Vikings failed to take the lead when the center snap on the extra-point attempt flew over holder DellaCroce’s head.

Marina did get second-quarter field goals of 36 and 37 yards from Tony Gambino, which tied the score at 6-6 at halftime.

Norco running back Shane Ballard rushed for 94 yards and a touchdown in 21 carries but was ineffective after suffering an ankle injury with 8:17 left in the second quarter. Norco slotback Shannon Wunderlich ran for 133 yards in 10 carries, including a 77-yard touchdown run that gave Norco a 12-6 lead with 9:27 left in the third quarter.