Mariners Set to Host Patrick Henry

The Mar Vista High football team will try to shake a three-game losing streak when it hosts the Patriots of Patrick Henry High Friday evening at 7.

It's not that the Mariners have played poorly after a season-opening 32-20 victory over Christian of El Cajon on Sept. 3. Since then, the losses have come by an average of just eight points per game to three opponents who have a combined 11-3 record so far this season.

A 26-14 home loss to Morse was followed by a 20-12 defeat in La Jolla to the unbeaten Bishop's School. Last week the Mariners gave up a 70-yard kick return and a 50-yard run for a touchdown in a tough 26-22 loss to Montgomery.

Patrick Henry, also 1-3 like the Mariners, posted its lone victory over El Cajon Valley and has lost to Point Loma, Hoover and West Hills.

Mar Vista rolled up 425 yards rushing on 44 carries against Montgomery last week, with three players passing the century mark. Rommel Cooper (17 carries, 144 yards), Jordan Lertique (13 carries, 144 yards) and Justin Peoples (8 carries, 113 yards) also scored a touchdown apiece.

Cooper has been a stalwart in the backfield this season, carrying either 17 or 18 times in each of the four games and racking up game totals of 175, 177, 151 and 144 yards with at least one touchdown in each contest. He has five TDs and is averaging 9.24 yards per carry. His one reception was also good for an 8-yard score.

Peoples (35 carries for 350 yards) and Ruben Gonzales (16 carries for 166 yards) both are averaging more than 10 yards per carry, with Gonzales bulking up his number with a 99-yard touchdown run in the win over Christian.

Gonzales, a safety on defense and also the team's punter, is second on the Mariners in total tackles with 37, four behind linebacker Gaston Garza.

Mar Vista hosts Castle Park on Oct. 15, then visits Sweetwater on Oct. 22 before playing Metro South Bay opponents San Ysidro (Oct. 29 at home), Hilltop (Nov. 5 away) and Southwest (Nov. 12 at home).