Marina football

Marina (4-6 2-4)

 The last two years have been two of the best in the Mariners decade long tenure. Yet, once again the program is dealing with a new coach for the third time in three years.

 Limited practice facilities, no lower levels to develop players and the smallest numbers of any school in the county only fueled the fire of Jason Dennis to take the reins at Marina.

 "Every program has its challenges," Dennis said. "I wanted to challenge myself. So I made the jump. I understand what we can and can't do. Some of these kids have gone through some tough stuff."

 A campus monitor at Marina, Dennis has spent the last eight years coaching football at Seaside at all three levels.

 Having seen the frustration on the faces of his current players while working on campus, Dennis felt it was time for provide some stability to a program with untapped potential.

 "The attitude and enthusiasm with this group is tremendous," Dennis said. "It gets contagious. These kids have a high ceiling for learning. We're focused on creating a culture here first."

 That doesn't mean it's a rebuilding year. Granted, the Mariners will be learning a new system for the third time in three years. That didn't keep 38 players from showing up over the summer.

 "The people that are out here have heart," team captain Anthony Garcia said. "We do not get a lot of respect. It just makes us work that much harder so we can earn that respect."

 Despite the turnover among coaches, the Mariners have won nine games in the last two years, which is two more than the program won in its first seven years of 11 man football.

 "We go in every year believing we can win every game," Garcia said. "That never changes. For us to take the next step, it's a matter of who wants to put in the work. The level of intensity is there."

 After setting a school record for wins in 2017 with five, Marina got off to its first 2-0 start in school history last year before embarking on a gut-wrenching five-game losing streak.

 "It's a clean slat, a new beginning," Dennis said. "If you worry about the past, you can't see what's in front of you. We're focused. We're teaching these kids the game and life lessons."

 While just four freshmen - all of which will start - are on the roster, a youth football program for kids 14-under in the city of Marina is enabling 12 freshmen to get their feet wet with the sport.

 "These kids aren't ready to play varsity football," Dennis said. "We don't have enough bodies to have a JV program. This is giving them a chance to gain experience, and create more interest."

 While one eye is on the future, Dennis has the other on building off of what the Mariners have done in the last two years.

 Dennis does have some parts to play with, starting with quarterback Michael Barrera, who shattered school records for passing yards and touchdowns last fall.

 He also provided a presence on the ground with eight rushing touchdowns, while Danh Lee led the team in rushing last fall.

 Dennis has taken a page from having worked under Seaside head coach Al Avila and current Arizona State assistant coach Anthony Garnett.

 "Coach Al has taught me so much in terms of football and dealing with adversity," Dennis said. "And Anthony was so helpful in my development as an offensive coach."

 Balance will be the priority this season. The ability to run the ball will make Barrera that much more effective in throwing it down field, where one of his targets will be Garcia.

 While he's a demon on defense, Garcia will line up as a receiver offensively, giving Barrera another target along with sophomore Sean Irving, who caught a half dozen passes last season.

 "We know what we want to do," Dennis said. "But you never make players fit a system. Our offense will be based on our personnel."

 Solidifying the offensive line starts with returning all-leaguer Felipe Olvera. He can open holes and provide pass protection. He also returned a fumble 52 yards for six on defense last year.

 "We want to make opponents play with their eyes, not instincts," Dennis said. "We have to keep our quarterback healthy."

 The lack of depth will force Marina to start as many as eight players both ways, including Le, who was durable last year, pairing up with Irving in the secondary.

 "The strength of this team is their willingness to get better," Dennis said. "They don't want to leave when practice is over. It was like that all summer. It's important that these kids realize I care. I want to be here."