By CLAIRE CRUZ, Staff Writer
HARLINGEN — Since the start of the 2021 season, the players and coaches at Marine Military Academy believed winning a state championship was an attainable goal.
They were right. The Leathernecks went 8-1 during the regular season, picking up four shutout victories and outscoring opponents 266-67 to qualify for the playoffs.
On Friday, MMA stopped a two-point conversion with 16 seconds remaining in a state semifinal contest against Houston KIPP Sunnyside to claim a 35-34 victory.
Today, the No. 2 Leathernecks will battle No. 1 Spring Legacy School of Sport Sciences at 7:30 p.m. at Gupton Stadium in Cedar Park for the Texas Charter School Academic & Athletic League state title.
“This was a great season. We did very well, as I knew we would,” junior quarterback/athlete Nathan Harvey said. “I really didn’t think there were any teams that could compete with us, looking at the athletes we have. I knew from Day 1 that we had the team, we had the dogs, to make it. It was just about execution from there.”
Harvey, William Webb, Malik Rivers, Brandon Flowers, Frankie Ratliff, Gage Casper and Jacob Scaife are the headlining playmakers for MMA. Webb is a junior right guard/defensive end in his third year playing varsity for the Leathernecks. He said the camaraderie of this squad has been a driving factor in the successful season.
“It feels amazing (getting to state). You’ve been working for something for so long, and then one day you’re there,” Webb said. “It’s a military school, boarding school, so everybody lives on campus with each other. We know everybody really well. So, the camaraderie we have between brothers is really key.”
Webb and Harvey both said MMA’s lone loss against La Villa was very influential for the team, showing the Leathernecks that they shouldn’t be too cocky or underestimate any team. They’re using that lesson to go into the championship game with reserved confidence in the team’s abilities, while also understanding how they can be better and respecting Spring Legacy’s play.
“(The semifinal) was a great game and great experience, probably one of the best games I’ve ever played,” Webb said. “We’ll be able to stop the run for sure. Only thing I’m a little worried about is the pass, but I think with all the practice we’ve been doing this week, we’ll be fine. We’re a very aggressive team and a well-conditioned team. We move fast, and we’re not afraid to hit.”
Harvey, who also has played receiver, outside linebacker and safety during his first season at MMA, credited the offensive line for anchoring the run game. The Arizona native is excited to play on the big stage in front of family coming to support him and believes MMA will get the job done.
“I’m expecting this to be a very good game,” Harvey said. “I’ve known about Legacy since second or third week. I’ve had them in my mind as the team to beat. They look pretty solid, but nothing we can’t handle. I think our blocking is great. We have a great O-line. They’re really what pushed us (in the semifinal). As much as me and Rivers were running it, all glory goes to the O-line on that game.
“This is what I came here to do. I had that goal at the beginning of the year to win state in football … and whatever I play,” Harvey added. “I’d like to thank the coaches for making this a great year. I haven’t had a good set of coaches like this ever. It’s been a lot of fun.”
Jim Morton is building on his family’s legacy as MMA’s coach and athletic director. His father held the same role for 25 years and led the Leathernecks to a state championship in 1977. Two of his brothers also spent many years on the sidelines at MMA.
“It’s a family tradition. I have one brother that’s still alive, and we talk about how my dad and brothers would be proud,” Morton said.
Three years ago, the Leathernecks won just one game. Then Morton and longtime coaching associate Bobby Lucio, who runs the offense, came to make things right. But Morton gives all praise for the turnaround to the athletes for buying in and working hard to get MMA back on top.
“It’s really them that decided, hey, we want to go to the state championship,” Morton said. “When young men get a mindset like that, as coaches we just put them in position to have success, and they’ve done the rest. I’m real proud of them. They never quit, and that’s what it’s about. They get knocked down, they get back up and they keep fighting. …
“Just to reach this state championship is a credit to these guys, win or lose. But we’re planning on going up there and bringing a state championship back to MMA.”