This story originally ran in The Standard-Times on Nov. 15, 2002.

By Nick Tavares
Standard-Times correspondent

When Division 3's ultimate road team charges into Worcester State tomorrow, one family from Revere will have three times as much to cheer for from the stands.

Meet Mike, Jay and Bryan Marino, to whom Westfield State will have to answer on both sides of the ball in the New England Football Conference championship game.

"We're just gonna go out and get them," said Mike Marino, a senior linebacker for UMass Dartmouth's football team.

Mike, along with senior wide receiver Jay and freshman cornerback and backup quarterback Bryan Marino, come from a football-loving family who've cheered them on since the beginning this season.

There's been a lot to holler about as the Corsairs have fought their way to a 10-0 record and a No. 1 ranking atop the New England Division III poll.

"As soon as we hit high school, we've been playing together," explained Mike, the oldest of the three, "and our parents haven't missed a game since we started playing in high school or any other sport we played —they're dedicated.

"Our mom made us sweatshirts with all our names on them, and then she made a bunch of them and passed them out."

Mike, a marine biology major, came to UMass as a recruit by head coach Bill Kavanaugh.

"I came down first," said Mike "and once I met coach Kav and the rest of the coaches and saw that they were pretty genuine guy, I could tell that it was the program for me, and that it was what I wanted."

Jay followed suit during his freshman year, transferring from Westfield State.

"I came down here and met the coaches and all the guys," he said. "After not enjoying football at all over there, coach Kav gave me the chance to play here."

When it was Bryan's turn to choose a college, he picked the Corsairs over Springfield College on the urging of both of his brothers, as well as coach Kavanaugh.

"Well they were running a lot of options [in the offense]," said Bryan "and I had a feeling that I'd be playing some D-back, so I came."

The Marinos were very high in their praise of head coach Bill Kavanaugh, and the feeling was mutual.

"(Mike's) one of those special kids that does everything you ask him to do. He's in his fifth year because he tore his knee in his junior year. He's become a good football player and he's gotten better and better with every game."

Coach Kavanaugh also had plenty to say about Jay, who in Saturday's game against Salve Regina came up with his best game of the season at just the right time, coming up with two big touchdowns in the victory.

"Jason might be just the best conditioned athlete we have on the team," said Kavanaugh, "and on Saturday he played what probably was his best game ever."

In his first year Bryan has found a spot at cornerback where he's played several downs this year, but most likely has a future on the other side of the ball.

"He might be the best pure athlete on the team," said Kavanaugh. "He's a QB playing corner, and he's a real good athlete who is going to be a great quarterback someday."

The Marinos and the Corsairs have fought all season long without the benefit of a home field (home games have been played at Dartmouth High and Bishop Stang), but to them it's no big deal.

"The one thing you want is to win a championship, and it's nice to do it at home," said Mike "but it was out of our hands and it was out of the school's hands. So we've won 10 away games. We knew that was going to be a challenge, but we were up for it, so now if we have to win 11 on the road, that's what we're gonna have to do."

Tomorrow's game against Westfield State (8-1), who had been ranked first in the New England Division III poll for most of the season until this week, will be a tough one but the Marinos are ready.

"Westfield's got a good line a great offense their defense is stocked and they're a team a lot like us a bunch of guys who like to play ball," said Mike.

"We'll be playing a distance away and it'll be right down the street for them," said Mike. "But it's just another game and we just have to take it this week like we have all year."

"I can't wait to play," said Bryan. "We'll be playing a lot of nickel and I'll be lining up with their top guy, so pretty much looking to beat them up all day, and if everyone brings their A game we'll come out on top."

Jay, who has a little revenge on his mind against his former team, was more blunt about the odds.

"Oh, I know we can beat these guys."

This story appeared on Page C1 of The Standard-Times on November 15, 2002.