Marina Beats Esperanza 21-7 as TeGantvoort Earns 100th Career Win, Score 21-7 (2025)

Yorba Linda – Shapell Memorial Stadium (YLHS)

The Marina Vikings had to overcome adversity before even stepping onto the field Thursday night in Yorba Linda. A bus no-show forced the team to carpool to their nonleague matchup against Esperanza, delaying kickoff by 15 minutes. But once the game began, the Vikings quickly found their rhythm and delivered a strong performance, defeating the Aztecs 21-7.

The victory marked a milestone for head coach Charlie TeGantvoort, who celebrated his 100th career coaching win surrounded by his players in an emotional postgame huddle. Senior quarterback Francis Saporito played a central role in the triumph, showcasing his dual-threat ability by rushing for 99 yards on 16 carries and throwing for 129 yards and two touchdowns.

Both of those touchdown passes went to junior receiver Carson Hunnicutt, who continued his breakout season. Hunnicutt caught a 30-yard strike in the corner of the end zone just before halftime, giving Marina a 14-0 lead, and later added a 12-yard reception in the third quarter to stretch the margin to 21-0. The junior finished with 119 receiving yards on seven receptions, becoming Saporito’s go-to target throughout the night.

The Vikings’ first score came on the ground. Running behind an offensive line that consistently won battles in the trenches, Ben Ramos capped an early drive with a 6-yard touchdown run midway through the second quarter. That score helped Marina settle in after a scoreless first period and set the stage for a dominant stretch.

Defensively, Marina was equally impressive. The Vikings held Esperanza to just one touchdown and consistently pressured quarterback Travis Frazier, who completed his first six passes but managed only nine completions on his final 27 attempts. The secondary — led by Gabriel Herrera, Trevor Lambert, Jaden Alston, and Gabriel Jessee — locked down receivers, while the pass rush came up with multiple sacks, including two from Brayden O’Rourke. Jessee also intercepted a deep ball to end the first half.

Esperanza’s lone touchdown came late in the third quarter after a Marina fumble gave the Aztecs a short field. Frazier connected with Brody Snyder on a 17-yard screen pass, but by then the Vikings’ defense had already established control.

With the win, Marina improved to 4-1, extending its winning streak to three games. The Vikings continue to show balance on both sides of the ball and resilience in the face of adversity — whether it’s overcoming a transportation mishap or a defensive stand. For Coach TeGantvoort, the milestone victory was a testament to the culture of toughness and unity he has built within the program.