Marina on Winning Side of Close Score

PICO RIVERA —  The next time you see Marina Coach Dave Thompson, don’t be surprised to see a few more gray hairs on his head.

After losing a close game to Corona del Mar last week in the last minute, the Vikings were on the other end of a close score when they defeated the El Rancho, 24-23, Friday night at El Rancho.

“Now I know what Corona del Mar felt last week,” Thompson said. “This was another great football game.”

Marina’s kicker Marty Sprong was the hero Friday as he connected on a 28-yard field as time expired.

“I knew that the kick was good as soon I connected with the ball,” Sprong said. “This is the first time that I ever made a game-winning kick and it feels great.”

It was an exciting fourth quarter as teams traded the lead three times. The Dons (0-3) seemingly took the lead for good late in the game, when senior Frank Garcia hit a 37-yard field with 5 minutes 20 seconds remaining in the game.

The Vikings (1-2) then engineered a 10-play drive that culminated in the winning field goal. The big play of the drive was a 24-yard run by Tony Parrish.

Senior John Marvos rushed for 87 yards in 21 carries to lead the Vikings. Parrish rushed for 77 yards in nine carries and scored one touchdown.