Riederich scores five touchdowns to lead Marina past Whittier Christian

Behind five total touchdowns by senior running back Blaine Riederich, the Marina High football team defeated Whittier Christian 54-21 in a nonleague game Friday night at Whittier College.

Riederich totaled 158 yards rushing and 78 yards receiving, and senior Brandon Savea totaled a team high 176 yards rushing — on just seven carries — to round out the ground game for the Vikings (3-2).

“Coming in we saw on film that they had some trouble with the run so we wanted to take advantage of it and we also wanted to eat the clock and keep them off the field,” said Marina coach Jeff Turley. “I was really happy with our line, they did a great job blocking and opened up some big holes and it was fun to take advantage of that.”

Senior quarterback Ian Green posted a three-touchdown game, passing for 178 yards and rushing for 38.

After trailing 28-7 at halftime, Whittier Christian showed some fight on its Homecoming night and scored in the second half’s opening drive on a 25-yard pass from quarterback Quinn Commans to receiver Ryan Romero.

Just as the Heralds (3-3) were trying to build momentum, Riederich ran for a 42-yard touchdown for his fourth score of the night. Whittier Christian would not go away and scored on the next drive, but it was the Vikings who again halted the comeback attempt.

Marina went on to shut out the Heralds in the fourth quarter to secure the victory on the road.

“I was really happy, when [Whittier Christian] began to battle back, that we went back to battling and that gives us a real positive going into league,” Turley said. “When you get to league its for real and games count, but if we could get things rolling like they are right now and our defense can stay solid, then we should do well.”

Marina opens Sunset League play next week when it travels to Fountain Valley High. The Barons (4-1) had a bye in Week 5.

Marina………...……. 21 7 14 12 — 54

Whittier Christian….7 0 14 0 — 21

FIRST QUARTER

WC – Commans 21 YD pass to Romero (Sanchez kick), 8:55.

Marina – Riederich 4 YD run (Stitt miss kick), 7:23.

Marina – Green 41 YD pass to Riederich (2PT conversion good), 4:02.

Marina – Riederich 17 YD run (Stitt kick), 2:50

SECOND QUARTER

Marina – Green 3 YD run (Stitt kick), 5:26.

THIRD QUARTER

WC – Commans 25 YD pass to Romero (Sanchez kick), 9:35.

Marina – Riederich 43 YD run (Stitt kick), 8:58.

WC – Commans 14 YD pass to Sanchez (Sanchez kick), 5:43.

Marina – Green 18 YD pass to Pendleton (Stitt kick), 2:04.

FOURTH QUARTER

Marina – Few 13 YD run (Stitt miss kick), 9:20.

Marina – Green 37 YD pass to Riederich (Stitt miss kick), 6:10.

INDIVIDUAL RUSHING

Marina – Savea, 7-176.

WC – Juaregui , 2-11.

INDIVIDUAL PASSING

Marina – Green, 9-15, 178, 3 TOT TD, 1 INT.

WC – Commans, 22-45, 344, 3 TD.

INDIVIDUAL RECEIVING

Marina – Riederich, 2-78, 2 TD.

WC – Romero, 12-175, 1 TD.

JUAN CARLOS GONZALEZ is a contributor to Times Community News: Follow him on Twitter: @JGonzalezSports