PACIFICA’S win over Buena Park put the Mariners in first place (Shutterstock).

The Pacifica High football team – which started the season 1-4 – roared back with its third straight victory Thursday night and into leadership in the Omicron League.

The 45–38 win by the Mariners over the Buena Park Coyotes set up a league championship game on Oct. 31 against the Portola Bulldogs.

Overall, the M’s are 4-4 but 3-0 in league play. Buena Park came into the game 4-3 and 2-0 in Omicron action. Portola is 2-5 and 2-0 in league. They’ll play Friday night against University High of Irvine.

Mariner QB James Anema passed for 144 yards and three  touchdowns. The defense was key to the win as two intercepted passes were returned for touchdowns.

Bolsa Grande lost 35-20 to Costa Mesa at Bolsa Stadium, but remains in the chase for the Tango League crown. The Matadors are 4-4 overall and 2-1 in league, and the race could tighten if they can beat Anaheim (6-2, 3-0) next week. 

The Mats played the second half without starting quarterback Tank Britton, who was ruled out of the game after receiving a powerful tackle. Michael Nguyen took over the QB spot and threw two touchdown passes to Jason Ortiz.

At Boswell Field on the Westminster High campus, Marina remained unbeaten with a 28-0 win over winless Fullerton. With the victory, the Vikings are 8-0 overall and 3-0 in the Lambda League.

Barring upsets, the Vikings will face the Beckman Patriots of Irvine for the league title in the final regular season contest of 2024 in two weeks.

In other Thursday night action, Western High (4-4, 1-2) defeated Cypress (2-6, 0-3) in Delta League play.