With a CIF Championship under their belt and a seven game win streak, the Islander football team is making history. Never before has a Coronado team played for a California State Championship, which the Islanders will do Saturday night (Dec. 19th) at Clairemont High School (6pm).
I sat down with CHS head coach Tony Isabella to find out what to expect from their opponent, the East Nicolaus Spartans. East Nicolaus (12-2) is a small school just north of Sacramento, whose strength is their ground game behind #45 Donavan Switalski. And while the school may be small, their ball players are huge. The Spartan roster boasts nine players on the Offensive/Defensive Line who weigh in at: 275, 255, 250, 245, 240, 230, 230, 225, and 220. The key to the game, according to Isabella, is how Coronado handles their offensive line. The Islanders will have to rely on their quickness, leverage and discipline to not be bowled over by the Spartan’s “earth movers.”
Coronado will look to stretch the field with their spread offense. Sophomore quarterback Briley Knight will lead a balanced attack mixing the explosive running of Chris Haas and Daniel Komorowski with the occasional toss to WRs Devon Reid and Luis Cruz. Coronado’s defense has really come together over the playoff win streak, allowing only 16 points over 4 games. The defense, anchored by free safety, Ian Thorleifson, will have their hands full with the shear size of the Spartan linemen. Coronado will need to shed blocks and swarm the ball carriers whenever E. Nicolaus has the ball.
This match-up for the Division VI State Championship should be tightly contested and a contrast between Coronado’s speed versus the Spartan’s brawn. Kick-off for Saturday’s game is 6:00pm at Clairemont High School located at 4150 Ute Dr, San Diego. I encourage all to come out, root on the Islanders, and experience history.
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