Chucky Linman

Mike Sciacca

It was a tight game going into the second half of last week’s

Marina-Edison Sunset League encounter, a game in which the Chargers could

not unleash the potential of the offense in the opening half.

A lot of that had to do with a spirited defensive effort by the

Vikings, which was matched by the Charger defense in the opening 24

minutes of play.

That play continued into the second half for Edison High School, and

the Chargers’ Chucky Linman had a lot to do with that charge.

The junior strong safety/running back came up with a pair of second

half interceptions, one of which led to a quick score, as Edison broke

away to a 28-3 victory.

His two thefts were part of five turnovers the Chargers feasted on in

the second half. What’s more, the Independent’s player of the week was

one of Edison’s tackling leaders in the game with 10.

The interceptions were the first of the season for Linman, and the

first of his varsity career.

“It felt good to get that first one, and the second one was just

gravy,” Linman said. “It’s a great feeling to know that your play has a

direct outcome on the game.”

Linman said he knew his defensive teammates, who already were having a

strong game, would need to step things up another level in the second

half, until the Charger offense could get untracked.

“We were playing all right up that that point [halftime], but our

offense couldn’t get it into the end zone,” he said. “We knew that if we

couldn’t score in the second half, that our defense would have to shut

down Marina the rest of the way.”

Edison’s defense did, and the Charger offense was able to convert on a

few of those turnovers, turning them into game-clinching touchdowns.

Linman, who also runs the 100 and 200 meters and does the long jump

for Edison’s reigning Sunset League champion boys’ track and field team,

is being moved to defensive end for Friday’s showdown with rival Fountain

Valley High School.

It will be his first start at that position, and a start he’s looking

forward to.

“I’m looking forward to coming in [the backfield] off the D-end,” he

said. “I won’t be able to get in on as many tackles as at strong safety,

but I’ll have a chance to get more sacks.”