Petrone’s in charge

Dan Petrone always had his sights set on getting into the business of head coaching.

When he did land that first head coaching job, which is taking on the task of leading the football program at Marina High, his vision was far-sighted.

“I was definitely looking for my first shot in coaching, that first opportunity, and I’m grateful and glad to be the new head coach at Marina,” said Petrone, whose most recent coaching assignment prior to coming to Marina, saw the 35-year-old serve as varsity football defensive coordinator and head wrestling coach at Savanna High in Anaheim for the past five years.

Petrone is a former all-league, -county and -CIF tight end/linebacker from Estancia High, all-conference player at Orange Coast College and played Ivy League football for two years at Columbia University where he earned the “Unsung Hero” Award during his senior year.

“I definitely saw the Marina job as a challenge and I’m the type of person who when he takes something on, makes a longtime commitment to it,” he said. “What I really saw was an opportunity to help rebuild the foundation of the Viking football nation. I’m looking at the big picture.

“It’s been a pleasure so far working with this group of kids. They’ve done everything we I’ve asked and have worked really, really hard in the off-season. It’s a new start.”

What Petrone inherits is a program that has won just eight games since 2002. When the Vikings defeated Paramount 38-28 in the fifth week of the season last year, it put a halt to a 15-game losing streak.

But, that’s in the past and what Petrone is concerned about is the present and future of Marina football.

And he’s excited about the team’s potential as the start to the new season nears.

He’ll get his first look at the Vikings in action Friday when they scrimmage El Modena at Westminster High.

“This program has struggled in the past few years but what I told the kids is if they put the team first and work hard, good things are going to happen to them, both as a team and individually,” Petrone said. “There are a few principles that I want to instill in them, and that’s to have the highest respect for your teammates and work as hard as they can and make things happen”

Marina welcomes back 11 starters from a year ago, six on the offensive side of the ball. In the past decade, the Vikings offense was built around the run. Petrone says that’s about to change this fall.

“We definitely have a good work ethic, good speed and quickness at the skill positions,” he said. “On offense, I like what we’re doing. We’re going to spread the ball around and bring a balanced look. But, if we’re successful with the run, we’ll stick with that. If it’s the pass that’s working, then we’ll go with that.”

Of the 11 starters, wide receiver Jim Irvin (5-11, 160, Sr.) and middle linebacker Charles Orrison (6-0, 200, Sr.) earned All-Sunset League status last year.

Both will figure prominently on offense, Irvin the key in a receiving corps that will have him and Jarrid Balis (5-7, 140, Jr.) at wideout, Brad Thompson (6-3, 180, Sr.) and Danny Hogan (6-1, 160, Sr.) at the slot and Kyle Buchan (6-1, 195, Sr.) and Robert Quick (5-10, 175, Jr.) at the tight end spot.

Orrison, a physical player whom Petrone says possesses strong leadership skills, figures to be the key figure in the run game. Petrone says he’ll split time with Trevor Brown (5-8, 145, Sr.) and that Andrew Moore (5-11, 170, Sr.) also will get some time.

Leading up front will be Tom Nadolski (6-1, 250, Sr.), Garrett Clerisse (6-3, 250, Sr.) and big Craig Standridge (6-5, 280, Sr.).

The offense will be under the direction of senior quarterback Tim Atencio (6-1, 175).

“He’s an excellent, all-around player and very athletic,” Petrone said. “He’s not only going to lead us on offense, but he’ll start at free safety, as well.”

Petrone said that junior Zach Couey (6-0, 190, Jr.), who played junior varsity ball last year and whom Petrone says has an “excellent arm and good accuracy,” will also see time at quarterback.

Orrison is one of five returners back on defense and while he takes up the middle spot, he’ll get help at outside linebacker from quick and Tyler Olsen (6-2, 190, Sr.).

The line is composed of Buchan, Connor King (6-0, 210, Jr.) will take up a defensive end spot and Petrone says that a rotation of different players will play at tackle, including Nadolski and Colton Toles (5-9, 195, Jr.).

In addition to Atencio playing free safety, Moore will be at strong safety, Thompson will split time between free and strong safety, and Brown and Irvin will play corner.

“I think that this group on defense is really solid,” Petrone said. “Among this group, Brad Thompson has excellent speed (4.57 in the 40-yard dash), Andrew Moore is a strong hitter, Tom Nadolski is going to be a solid lineman for us and Connor King has a really strong work ethic and is going to be a key to our defense.”

Marina begins its 10-game schedule on Sept. 7 at Capistrano Valley. The Vikings have a nonleague schedule that also includes Westminster, Orange, Colton and Paramount, before opening Sunset League action.

“I think it’s a balanced schedule,” Petrone said. “It’s competitive all the way through. I think that you can’t ask for any bigger challenge than playing in the Sunset League.

“I’m excited about getting started. I want to get everybody on board with the vision of rebuilding this program. It’s more of a matter of having your mind and heart in the right place.”