Long Beach Marines

LONG BEACH

Marines set sights on playoff voyage

By DAVID WEINGRAD

Ranked as the No. 6 seed in 12-team Conference II, longtime head coach Scott Martin said he thinks his Marines have what it takes to go toe-to-toe with their top conference foes. The team is returning most of its defensive starters and had a great turnout at camp this summer featuring many pieces that Martin thinks can be assets on the offensive end. If all goes well, he said, a visit to the county semifi nals at Hofstra is not out of the question. A tight quarterback competition features senior Jeff Conway, who saw much of the action as signal-caller last season, and who Martin praised as a strong kid who can beat you with his arm and his legs. Also in the mix is senior Hayden Sofi eld, who also developed some size in the offseason and has impressed Martin’s staff. If playing time wasn’t enough incentive for competition – Conway and Sofi eld also happen to be cousins. “That adds another drama to it,” Martin said. “They’ve been competing and playing each other since they were young. So they’re used to it.” Returning senior Jack Skarren, who Martin considers one of the top players in the conference, will be an offensive weapon at tight end with his 6-foot-2 size. He’ll double as middle linebacker, where he recorded 90 tackles last season – the most by any player in a single season in Martin’s 15 years at Long Beach. Two-way senior Jack Miller will start at fullback and inside linebacker. With 10 catches last season, Martin said he expects him to be much more involved in the offense. Luke Hartman recorded three interceptions last year as a junior and will also play an increased role as a receiver, both in the slot position and split out wide. A welcome sight in camp is the return of junior C.J. Merchant, whose sophomore season was interrupted by injuries last year, and could also be a major factor at running back. At 6-foot and 210 lbs., “We’re looking for him to be our main runner between the tackles,” Martin said. A reshaped offensive line will have a few question marks heading into the year, but Martin praised junior offensive tackles John Sofi eld – brother of Hayden – who will be a leading force in the middle, and Nico Kanganis who played on junior varsity least year. Guards Mhasyn Rowland , a senior, and Julian Mercado, a junior, will also step in as starters. Battling for the fi nal spot to fortify the offensive line are juniors Antonio Sanders and Tucker Bogacki, both of whom Martin hailed for their size and skill. In all, Martin said there are 15 linemen who he can mix and match throughout the year. And what they may lack in varsity experience, they more than compensate in athleticism. “A lot of these kids were in backup roles but they’re healthy and ready to slot in,” said Martin. “We look like we’ll be set offensively as well as our experience defensively.” Martin also noted senior Ronald Washington as an agile defensive tackle and speedy junior receiver Shaquille Johnson, who will each play key roles. The coach also praised senior kicker Mike Contreras, a soccer star, as a weapon on special teams. The Marines will be tested right away, with matchups against high-ranked Garden City, South Side and MacArthur in three of their fi rst four games that will serve as a good litmus test. “We will know who we are by game fi ve,” Martin said. “This team, this group, looks really excited for football,” the coach added. “We have guys that consider themselves top football players and they want to prove it.”

interceptions last year as a junior and will also play an increased role as a receiver, both in the slot position and A welcome sight in camp is the return of junior C.J. Merchant, whose sophomore season was interrupted by injuries last year, and could also be runner between the tackles,” Martin said. A reshaped offensive line will have a few question marks heading into the year, but Martin praised junior offensive tackles John Sofi eld – brother of Hayden – who will be a leading force in the middle, and Nico Kanganis who played on junior varsity least year. Guards Mhasyn Rowland , a senior, and Julian Mercado, a junior, will also step in as starters. Battling for the fi nal spot to fortify The Marines will be tested right away, with matchups against high-ranked Garden City, South Side and MacArthur in three of their fi rst four games that will serve as a good litmus test. “We

JEFF CONWAY will know who we are by game fi ve,” Martin said. “This team, this group, looks really excited for football,” the coach added. “We have guys that consider themselves top football players and they want to prove it.”

Jack Skarren

JACK MILLER

Schedule

September 10 @ Garden City 2:00 p.m. 17 Sewanhaka 2:00 p.m. 24 @ MacArthur 2:00 p.m. October 1 South Side 3:00 p.m. 7 Kennedy 7:00 p.m. 15 @ Mepham 2:00 p.m. 22 @ Roslyn 2:00 p.m. 29 Calhoun 2:00 p.m.