Schools
Prep Football: Mar Vista Hosts El Cap in Season Opener
Mariners have some huge linemen but will have to replace last year's potent running game.
After a promising 7-4 season in 2010, the Mar Vista High Mariners open the prep football season Friday by hosting El Capitan of Lakeside in a 7 p.m. contest.
Coach Brian Hay's team traditionally likes to run the ball, and with an offensive line that averages about 300 pounds, that should be the case again this season, though the departure of of Rommel Cooper, Justin Peoples and Ruben Gonzales means the backfield won't have a great deal of experience.
Masive linemen Victor Villaverde, Emerson Gomez, Andrian Gurerro, James Brantly, Sean Sullivan and Ricardo Moriel should be anchors on both offense and defense, with Kenny Nieves and fullback Cash Thompson toting the ball behind quarterback Jordan Lertique.
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Lertique averaged fewer than two passes per game last season, completing 12 of 20 for 424 yards and a touchdown, so it's a good bet his numbers will go up.
El Capitan started 1-4 last season but finished the year at 5-5-1.
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