Oilers, Vikings square off
An intercity battle takes place tonight in — of all places — Costa Mesa, when Surf City schools Huntington Beach and Marina meet up at Orange Coast College.
The game also serves as the home opener for Marina, which is also celebrating Homecoming Week.
“We’re fired up about the game and I know Huntington is really fired up, too,†said second-year Marina Coach Dan Petrone, who will be on the sideline for his first Oilers-Vikings game. “The boys know each other and both sides know how important this game is for both schools.
“I think both teams are very close in the match-up, and it should be a great game.â€
On the same field Friday, Huntington (1-1) picked up its first win of the season against Villa Park, 24-17. Dylan Simmons scored a pair of touchdowns for the Oilers, none bigger than a short pass he took from quarterback Sean Guite and turned into an 80-yard scoring play to break a 14-14 tie late in the third quarter. Guite also hooked up with Kaller Roemer on an 88-yard touchdown pass for the Oilers’ second score.
Marina (0-2) nearly knocked off another neighboring rival Westminster last week, but came away with a 35-28 defeat after the Lions scored 28 straight second-half points.
Westminster scored on two interception returns to take command of the game.
Quarterback Zack Couey threw for 205 yards, including a touchdown pass to Drew Jordan, and also scored Marina’s first touchdown on a one-yard run.
Sam Wilson had a fumble recovery in the second quarter that set up the Vikings’ second score of the game. Wilson also accounted for the final Marina score when he took a pitch around right end for two-yard TD run to make it 21-7 at the half.
Ryan Lehane also recovered a fumble for Marina.
Huntington and Marina haven’t meet since both were members of the Sunset League, which Huntington left after the 2005-06 school year and went on to become part of the Sea View League after league realignments took place. In their last meeting during the 2005 season, the Oilers won, 14-7, to end a six-game win streak in the series for the Vikings.
Marina leads the all-time series, which dates back to 1965, 27-13-1.
Also tonight, Los Amigos plays Savanna. On Friday, Fountain Valley travels to play Aliso Niguel, Edison meets Servite and Brethren Christian hosts Saddleback Valley Christian. On Saturday, Ocean View hits the road to face Northwood. Below is a preview of this week’s local games.
? TONIGHT
Los Amigos (0-2) vs. Savanna (0-3) at Glover Stadium, 7 p.m.: If Los Amigos hopes to post its first win of the year, then the Lobos will have to find a way to contain Savanna’s rushing game.
The Rebels run a spread offense and last week put up 300 rushing yards on 10th-ranked Whittier Christian (Mid-Valley Division), yet still lost, 34-16.
The teams have a common opponent in Loara and both lost close games to the Saxons. Last week, Jose Gonzalez threw a touchdown pass to Fidel Mendoza and also booted a pair of field goals during a 27-24 loss to Loara. Savanna, meanwhile, lost to Loara, 20-12, two weeks ago.
? FRIDAY
Fountain Valley (2-1) at Aliso Niguel (0-3), 7 p.m.: Fountain Valley got back on the winning track last week with a 27-13 win over Pacifica. Running back Kyle Middlebrooks had another terrific game, this time rushing for 253 yards and three touchdowns, in addition to returning a kickoff 99 yards to account for all four Barons touchdowns.
Aliso Niguel slipped for the third time this season when it lost, 25-7, at Vista. The Wolverines have struggled offensively, scoring just 28 points in three games. Defensively, they are giving up an average of 41 points a game.
Edison (3-0) vs. Servite (2-1) at Cerritos College, 7:30 p.m.: Two of the county’s top programs collide in Norwalk in this battle of CIF Pac-5 Division powers, which will be broadcast live on FSN Prime Ticket.
Edison rose from fourth to third and Servite fell from sixth to seventh, in this week’s Pac-5 poll.
Friday marks the second straight game that Servite will go up against a highly-ranked team. Last week, the Friars suffered a 21-20 loss to then-No. 3 Crespi, missing an extra point and 57-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter. Greg Portis rushed for 192 yards in the loss.
On the same night, Edison remained undefeated by handing previously-undefeated Dana Hills a 48-20 defeat. The Edison defense came up with four first-half turnovers, junior quarterback Matt Viles threw for 230 yards and connected on touchdown passes to Jeff Crissman and Jeff Trojan, and Davion Orphey, a back-up quarterback, filled in at tailback and went on to rush for 181 yards and two scores.
Edison built a 48-6 lead and put in its substitutes in the fourth quarter.
“We played very well,†Edison Coach Dave White said. “They [Dana Hills] were on a roll coming into the game, but we executed our game plan to near-perfection. Our offensive line played well and I thought Preston Spence and Wes Graves had great games on defense.â€
The Chargers and Friars are meeting for the 10th time in nine years, with Edison holding a 6-3 edge in wins during that span. Overall, the schools have meet 18 times — first in 1979 — and have staged some memorable games. In the first round of the CIF playoffs during the 1981 season, Servite posted a 7-0 upset win to snap Edison’s win streak at 32 games, a steak that included 17-0 and 35-0 victories over the Friars.
“Servite is a big challenge for us, but I think we’re up for it,†White said. “It should be a real battle.â€
Saddleback Valley Christian (2-0) at Brethren Christian (0-2), at Brethren Christian High, 7 p.m.: The Warriors will try to win their first game of the year against a Saddleback Valley Christian defense that hasn’t given up a point in two games.
The Eagles, who are coming off a bye week, have shutout wins over Bell-Jeff (6-0) and Capo Valley Christian (29-0).
Brethren Christian is coming off a 24-14 road loss to Calvary Chapel of Downey.
? SATURDAY
Ocean View (1-1) vs. Northwood (0-2) at Irvine High, 7 p.m.: Ocean View and Northwood meet for the first time as the Seahawks take on their second consecutive opponent from Irvine.
Ocean View will try to bounce back from a 14-7 loss last week to University. Despite the setback, Seahawks Coach Harold Eggers said he was pleased with his team’s effort. Ocean View shut down a mobile University offense in the first half of the nonleague game before giving up a pair of second half scores.
“I saw a lot of positives out there tonight and I thought we improved a lot from last week,” said Eggers, whose team beat Calvary Chapel of Santa Ana on Sept. 11, 15-14. “Our defense was more disciplined and our offense was much better with its passing attack. There was nowhere to go but up passing-wise from last week.â€
Ocean View scored its lone touchdown on a pass from sophomore quarterback Nolan Tippy to senior receiver Adam To that covered 25 yards. Johnson Anwell also had an interception for the Seahawks.
Tippy threw for 193 yards in just his second varsity start.
“Nolan threw the ball a lot better,†Eggers said. “He took some licks, but he got up and fought. I was really impressed with his mental toughness.â€
Northwood appeared to be on its way to its first win of the season Friday but dropped its game after Beckman staged a 21-point, fourth quarter comeback to rally for a 28-24 victory.
MIKE SCIACCA covers sports. He can be reached at (714) 966-4611 or by e-mail at michael.sciacca@latimes.com.
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