As kickoff was approaching Friday night, a light rain started to fall threatening the conditions for Coronado High School’s first ever California State Southern Section Championship playoff game. The Sentinels from Belmont High School in Los Angeles came into town to take on the Islanders. Belmont was 14-0, ranked 127 spots ahead of the Coronado in the MaxPreps state rankings, and had outscored their opponents in league play 210 to 30. But that is where the accolades ended for the Sentinels.
Coronado started the game attempting a surprise on-side kick that Belmont recovered at mid-field. The field position did not hurt the Islanders as they forced a quick 3 and out, setting the tone for a defense that was not going to back down from the Sentinel’s attack. Both teams traded punts in their first two possessions until Belmont mounted a drive to the Islander 35 yard line. On 4th down, Coronado’s Ian Thorleifson intercepted a pass and returned it 20 yards to swing momentum to the Islanders. Quickly after, Coronado’s star running back, Chris Haas broke off a 32 yard run, followed immediately by an 11 yard carry. The next play was a 19 yard touchdown run by quarterback Briley Knight and the Islanders were up 6-0.
Belmont answered by mounting a drive of running and passing to the Islander 30 yard line. With 2:30 to go in the first quarter, a flash of lighting to the east lit the sky. Per CIF rules, the playing field must be cleared for 30 minutes minimum, if there is danger of lightning. Thus began a 90 minute delay in Coronado’s first ever state playoff game. There was much concern that the game would not be completed as the Belmont team needed to be in their transport by 11pm. Mother nature finally cooperated and the game resumed with a running clock and 7 minute quarters.
Early in the 2nd quarter, Chris Haas broke a 25 yard run, followed by a 10 yard touchdown draw play by running back Daniel Komorowski. The Islanders converted the 2 point conversion with a nifty, roll out pass from Briley Knight to #44 Wyatt Montague to go up 14-0. Belmont answered back with a strong drive to the Islander 30, but could go no further due to #23 Alec Legidakes’ interception. Given the running clock and shortened quarters, the Islanders were sitting pretty going into half time.
Chris Haas returned the Sentinel’s kick-off 40 yards to open the 2nd half, but the Islander drive stalled with a punt. Belmont began moving the ball behind the running of #14 Erik Diaz; again getting to the Islander 30 yard line. When they attempted a reverse run and pass back to the quarterback, it was broken up by Coronado’s #3 Alejandro Carrera, ending any chance for a Belmont comeback. Coronado’s last highlight was their 3rd interception of the night by #40 Alex Cheever. Chris Haas ran for 110 yards extending his school rushing record.
Coronado will play East Nicolaus (just north of Sacramento) for the State Championship. UPDATE: Game will be Saturday, December 19 at 6pm. The game is at Clairemont High (4150 Ute Dr.) so come out and cheer on your Islanders.
