High School Football Game of the Week: Edison vs. Marina

The Edison-Marina football rivalry is considered one because of

proximity the two schools, but in reality, the two teams have been miles

apart when you glance at the series record.

Friday night at 7 p.m., the Chargers and host Vikings hook up for

the 26th time in the Independent’s Game of the Week which will be held on

Marina’s homecoming night at Westminster High’s Bill Boswell Field.

In 25 previous showdowns between the two schools, Edison holds a

lopsided 21-3-1 edge in the series. But Marina got a rare taste of glory

last year when it ruined Edison’s homecoming night with a 26-14 victory.

It’s a new season - and the beginning of another Sunset League

race - but the memories of that stirring victory still linger for the

Vikings.

‘That was a big win for our school last year, and we’d certainly

like to do it again,’ Marina Coach Mark Rehling said. ‘It’s a great

rivalry where everybody knows one another, but Edison’s a much better

team than it was a year ago. For us to be victorious, we’ll need to be

able to take the (game) clock away from them.’

Rehling’s chances lay in an option game that features the quick

feet of junior quarterback Beau Brown and the punishing rushing of senior

fullback Ray Mietkiewicz, both of whom operate behind a solid offensive

line.

Mietkiewicz enters the game with 714 yards in four games (he sat

out the Upland game with a broken wrist).

The 6-foot-1, 235 senior averages 8.6 yards per rush, and has

scored 9 touchdowns.

Since he has returned from his wrist injury, Mietkiewicz has

gained 460 yards and scored six touchdowns the past two weeks.

‘He plays like an old-time fullback, like a Larry Csonka,’ Edison

Coach Dave White said. ‘He’s just a stud at fullback and one of the top

backs by far in the county. He’s the key but obviously, their quarterback

(Brown) is a good athlete who runs the option well.’

Edison, which has shown plenty of balance on offense, counters

with a nifty running back of its own in Darryl Poston.

The 5-11 junior has rushed for 926 yards (9.5 avg.) and 15

touchdowns.

Charger quarterback Richard Schwartz also is a threat, having

thrown for 842 yards and six touchdowns.

‘Poston’s an awesome back, but Edison is a balanced team,’ Rehling

said. ‘You have to play great defense against them, but still have to

figure you’ll give up 17 points by halftime. Every play for them is a

potential big play, that’s how explosive they are.’