BOTTOM LINE

While the widely ballyhooed Edison-Fountain Valley showdown annually

grabs all the headlines, an equally important rivalry also takes place

Friday when Marina visits Huntington Beach.

It’s the area’s longest-running rivalry, dating back to 1965. And,

although the stakes aren’t as high as the Chargers-Barons clash, there’s

still plenty riding on the outcome for both teams -- specifically, a

first Sunset League victory.

Friday’s game also marks the first time that Marina’s first-year head

coach, Mike Dodd, will face his former school.

Dodd was the Oilers’ head baseball coach for 18 years, head football

coach for one season (1997), and previously served 12 years as a

defensive coordinator.

What’s important about this game for Dodd isn’t his return, he says;

it’s having his team ready for battle.

“There are some good people over at Huntington Beach and it will be

special to see a lot of those faces again. But I’m more concerned about

what we’re doing as a team, more than anything else,” he said. “They (the

Oilers) haven’t won and we haven’t won in league, so both teams will be

hungry to get that initial win.”

Both teams also will be playing for the perpetual Victory Trophy,

possession of which goes to the victorious team annually.

The Vikings have been decimated by injuries, so it will be difficult

for Marina to retain that trophy. Starting quarterback Beau Brown went

down with a collarbone injury two weeks ago and is doubtful for Friday’s

game. The Vikings also lost two starters in last week’s loss to Edison,

as Aaron Williams and Sam Prince each suffered broken legs.