When you're forced to drop your junior varsity program because of a lack of numbers, there's reason for concern on the future of Marina's football program.
This decision was particularly crippling as seven freshmen choose not to play varsity football when it was determined there wasn't enough players to field both a varsity and JV team.
Marina, who has never had a winning season in seven years of 11-man football, will field a roster of 30 players -- assuming the four freshmen that remained get a wavier to play varsity.
Four years ago the program appeared on the rise when it snapped a 27-game losing streak, winning four games. Last fall, however, Marina gave up the most points in the county.
Marina coach Vernon Calhoun is at a loss as to why he can't get kids out for football. But part of the problem is the Monterey School District has an open enrollment.
Meaning kids from Marina, Seaside or Monterey can choose what high school they want to attend as freshman. A core of Marina's talent in football is at Monterey or Seaside.
Marina's enrollment this year is under 700 kids.
Marina doesn't have a place to play home games, shuffling around between Seaside, Monterey or MPC. Its practice field has pot holes, causing twisted ankles.
Marina has talent. It just doesn't have any depth. And now it doesn't have a lower level program to entice kids to play and build that foundation for the future.
John Devine has been writing about high school sports in Monterey County since, well, practically since he was an athlete at King City in the days just after leather helmets. In PrepNation, John has even more in-depth analysis of the latest results and news he's brought to you in The Herald and in his weekly videos.
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1 comment:
Very unfortunate set of circumstances for Marina HS football. I commend Coach Calhoun for his dedication and determination in a bleak scenario regarding his numbers and the lack of support. MPUSD need to consider the safety of its students and give Marina High every advantage to succeed, hence quality practice field, their own stadium, etc. Every child deserves to gain a positive competitive experience, more so when they have a committed coach.
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