Vikings gunning for results

Steve Virgen

One of the main goals of high school football coaches is to have the

team playing its best toward the end of the season. The Marina High

football team certainly did not end its 2002 season the way Coach

Mike Dodd would have preferred.

The Vikings closed out the year by losing four of their final five

games, scoring just 14 points in the last three. Life can be tough in

the Sunset League, but Dodd is not concerned with excuses or trends.

Marina suffered injuries and could not keep up with the Joneses,

in regard to offensive strategy. This year, however, the Vikings plan

to open up their offensive attack.

The change in philosophy does have its drawbacks. Dodd says the

team is still in search of its identity. In addition, the Vikings

will use the preleague games to find themselves.

For the past three years, Marina has used the veer option as its

primary offense. This season, the Vikings are switching to a shotgun

scheme.

The defense will not be that much different from last year, and

that’s a good thing. The Vikings will depend on the experience of its

defense, particularly in the trenches, to try to inch closer to the

opposition in the Sunset League.

Here’s an early position-by-position breakdown:

Quarterback: Senior Matt Brennan returns for his third year as the

Vikings’ signal caller. But, this year, it’s as if it is his first,

considering he will be mainly working out of the shotgun formation.

Junior Dylan Brock and senior Doug Fryer will be battling for the

backup job and Dodd has been impressed with the healthy competition.

Brennan might see time on defense, yet, throughout the first five

games, he will focus on picking up the offense and developing a

rapport with his receivers.

Running backs: Senior Walter Hildebrand will be the featured back

with senior Jason Burch also figuring into the mix. Hildebrand

injured his leg during practice Aug. 29, so he has been working hard

to beat the clock and be ready for the opener Friday at 7 p.m. at

Paramount.

Hildenbrand is entering his third varsity season, as is Burch.

Yet, Hildebrand has endured injuries each of the past two years. This

season, he’s planning to make the most of his senior year.

Receivers: This group is expected to be an important part of

Marina’s offense. Dodd is depending on the speed of his receivers to

make the more wide-open offense pay off with big plays down the

field. Seniors Brandon Brown and Josh Rothenberger, and junior Jason

Hayward figure to be the key passing targets.

“They’re not really that tall,” Dodd said. “But they can be quick

and they’ve been working hard.”

Tight end: Since Marina’s new offense will not have a fullback,

senior Danny Falkenstein will become the Vikings’ primary tight end.

He provided above-average blocking last year in the veer option and,

this season, he has been developing receiving skills that could make

him a viable weapon.

Since Falkenstein also plays linebacker, senior Chris Curtis will

gain playing time at tight end, as well. Curtis is also a key player

on the defense, so his time as tight end will be very limited.

Offensive line: The Vikings let out a sigh of relief when senior

tackle Jeremy Maginot returned to practice Sept. 2. He had been out

with a shoulder injury he suffered earlier this summer. But, Dodd saw

a healthy Maginot hit and go through drills, which put fears to rest.

“He looked really good,” Dodd said. “He was injured and out the

first two weeks of practice. But now he came back and we took a big

step in the right direction.”

In addition to Maginot, the offensive line is bolstered by senior

center Nick Levine, senior left guard Derek Kosco and junior right

tackle Chris Chelekis. Junior D.J. Murakami is nursing a groin injury

and will sit out the first game. He’s slated to be the starting right

guard.

In the meantime, senior Phillip Bustamante and Malachai Tukia will

rotate in. Chelekis’ younger brother, Tom, will back him up at right

tackle. The starting offensive line averages about 220 pounds.

Defensive line: The strength of Marina’s defense will be here. The

defensive front includes Kosco, Bustamante and junior Kyle Flanagan.

Tukia will be an important part of the defense, lining up as the

noseguard.

Just as last year, Marina will run the fifty defense, in which

linebackers frequently move onto the front line.

Linebackers: Because of the lack of depth here, Dodd is hoping for

improvement from the starters throughout the season. Senior Scott

Stone will play inside ‘backer. He played on the offensive line last

year and his aggressiveness will continue to be utilized. Along with

Stone, Falkenstein will provide leadership as well.

Falkenstein will play inside linebacker, as will senior Ricky

Gallegos. Senior Justin Schindler and Brandon Brown will play as

outside ‘backers.

Secondary: The Vikings are dealing with injuries here, but when

Hildebrand returns, they should be fine. Royce Wimmer is also nursing

minor injuries, but should be ready for the opener.

One of the leaders among the defensive backs will be senior Andrew

Su, who will man a corner spot, probably against the opponent’s key

receiver. Like Schindler, Su has made significant progress this

summer.

Jeff Rivera and Hayward are additional cornerbacks.

Junior Jerad Kent, overcoming illness, will start at strong

safety, while Brennan and Burch will rotate at free safety.

Rothenberger can also play the safety positions.

Kicking game: Japan native Yuto Someya has brought a sense of

comic relief to the Vikings. But he has also provided a consistent

leg. Someya, who usually brings a smile to Dodd’s face, has also been

helpful on the scout team during practices.

Rothenberger will be Marina’s punter.