Football preview: Marina High’s Turley seeks first win as coach

A year ago, Jeff Turley stepped into the role as new head football coach at Marina High. You could call it a learning curve for the Vikings and the former veteran coach and defensive coordinator at Long Beach Poly who went through a 10-week season that passed without a victory.

Turley said there is a new attitude and drive on the field this year at Marina which is looking for a few firsts: a victory this season will give Turley his first career victory at the school; a victory in Sunset League play would be the program’s first in 10 seasons.

The Vikings set out on a new beginning Friday when they travel to south Orange County to take on the Aliso Niguel Wolverines in a season opener for both teams.

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Marina Vikings

League: Sunset

CIF division: West Valley

Head coach: Jeff Turley (2nd year)

Coaching staff: Terrence Austin (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks); Brodie Riederich (running backs/linebackers); Stephen Austin (wide receivers); Shawn Smith (wide receivers); Carlos Castellomaos (offensive line); Sam Lau (offensive line); Tom Herrington (offensive line/defensive line); Andrew Sweet (defensive line); Solo Tafua (defensive line); George Daily-Lyles (linebackers/strength and conditioning); Mike McMahon (defensive backs); Ryan Abbate (defensive backs).

2014 overall record: 0-10

2014 league record/finish: 0-5 (sixth place)

2014 CIF results: Did not qualify

Offensive scheme: Multi-formation option

Defensive scheme: Multi-front hybrid

Returning starters: 7 offense; 7 defense

Returning with honors: Cooper Malerstein, DB/TB, first-team all-league, Jr.; Noah Holmes, QB/WR/DB, second-team all-league, Jr.; Max Melfi, LB/RB, second-team all-league, Sr.; Caleb Hart, OL/DL, second-team all-league, Sr.

Coach’s outlook: Turley put it simply: “We are the few, the proud, the Vikings.”

Summer ball: Turley sees a change from his first year to his second team, and the Vikings played well during the summer. “We have weeded out a lot of those that didn’t believe and didn’t want to work hard. It is a different attitude this year. We grew a lot, played some tough teams in the off-season, and in summer, we got second [place] at the Santa Fe 7 on 7 passing tournament.”

The schedule: The Vikings play their first two games on the road, including a second week Sept. 4 game at city rival Ocean View. They start their season Friday at Aliso Niguel, their season-opening foe last year in Turley’s first game at the school. The Wolverines, who pulled away to a 45-28 victory last August, went 4-6 overall and did not qualify for postseason play.

The Sunset League: Turley got his first taste of a Sunset season last fall and says the 2015 season will offer the “same, tough league.”

Team tidbits: Turley said the Vikings will pay tribute to Wounded Warriors during their Sept. 11 game against rival Westminster at Boswell Field (Westminster High). He said past and present military personnel and first responders (police, fire) will receive free admission to the nonleague battle known as the Black and Blue Game. The Vikings also will wear new jerseys for the contest.

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Vikings Schedule

Friday: at Aliso Niguel, 7 p.m.

Sept. 4: at Ocean View, 7 p.m.

Sept. 11: Westminster (Westminster High), 7 p.m.

Sept. 18: San Juan Hills (Westminster High), 7 p.m.

Sept. 25: St. Anthony (Huntington Beach High), 7 p.m.

Oct. 9: at *Huntington Beach, 7 p.m.

Oct. 15: at *Edison (Huntington Beach High), 7 p.m.

Oct. 23: at *Fountain Valley (Westminster High), 7 p.m.

Oct. 30: *Newport Harbor (Westminster High), 7 p.m.

Nov. 6: *Los Alamitos (Huntington Beach High), 7 p.m.

(*denotes Sunset League game)