ARICK McLAWYER rushed for 191 yards as Huntington Beach defeated rival Marina 32-7 Friday night at Cap Sheue Field (Orange County Tribune photos by Christopher Abdelmalek).

By Christopher Abdelmalek

Heading into a bye week, a high school football team can have an on-field day off. “The coaches told us to stay focused and be in the game,” said Huntington Beach High linebacker Jake Graham.

Stay focused the Oilers did as they defeated rival Marina 32-7 in a non-league game Friday at Cap Sheue Field. The orange-and-black improved its record to 4-1 while the Vikings slipped to 2-3.

BRANDON CANNELLA can run, but he also passed for four touchdowns Friday night for HBHS against Marina.

“The kids played hard,” said HBHS coach Brett Brown. “We played really well defensively. We fixed some things and got off the field on third down when we needed to.” Brown was impressed with his defense, to say the least. The first team squad pitched a shutout against the Vikings offense and even got a safety to boot. Marina scored a late touchdown against most of the Oilers backup defensive players and even then, they struggled to move the ball on the drive.

Huntington moved the ball with ease on both the ground and in the air. Arick McLawyer rushed 191 yards on 24 carries. “We saw a weakness in their D-line and our game plan was to punch them in the mouth right off the bat and wear them down during the game,” said McLawyer.

Through the air, Oiler QB Brandon Cannella impressed, throwing for 189 yards and four touchdowns, two of them to Jeremiah Flanagan, who finished with 88 yards receiving.

Huntington led 32-0 after three quarters. Marina got its sole score in the fourth on a 15-yard pass from Jack Miller to John Robinson.

The Vikings will face off next Friday (Sept. 21) against El Modena (3-1) High School of Orange. The Vanguards are coming off their first loss of the season in a close one, 29-27, to El Dorado High School. Huntington Beach will have a bye this week and will return to action on Friday, Sept. 28 against Newport Harbor High School in Newport Beach. All games will be played at 7 p.m.

For other Friday night results, go to:

https://orangecountytribune.com/2018/09/14/friday-night-prep-football-results/