ALISO VIEJO – Aliso Niguel started its 2015 season the same way it did the previous year, with a convincing victory over Marina.
Nick Chapman threw for 375 yards and five touchdowns while leading the Wolverines to a 40-21 nonleague win Friday night at Aliso Niguel.
The prolific passer was well protected by his offensive line, and he confidently found his receivers downfield time and again, finishing 29 for 40 with one interception. Blake Sabol had 121 yards receiving and two scores, and Tanner Clarke finished with 113 yards receiving. Tyler Jones had a pair of touchdown catches.
The Chapman-Sabol connection struck early and often.
After a pair of third-down catches by Sabol on the opening drive, Andre Cotton took a bubble screen pass and raced 22 yards for the game’s first touchdown.
Aliso Niguel capped its second drive with an 11-yard TD reception by Sabol, who was able to get one foot inbounds in the corner of the end zone.
The Wolverines attempted a 2-point conversion that failed but settled for a 12-0 first-quarter lead.
Marina’s offense finally got on track with a pair of first downs early in the second quarter, but Marshall Boyd came up with a sack and forced the Vikings to punt.
Marina’s Chad Phillips intercepted a Chapman pass to set his team up deep in Aliso Niguel territory, but the Wolverines intercepted Marina quarterback Anthony De La Torre at the goal line to end the threat.
Marina remained resilient to end the first half and cut the lead to 12-7 when Blaine Riederich busted loose for a 38-yard touchdown run.
The Wolverines were penalized 12 times, 11 of them coming in the first half.
