Saturday night’s championship game between the Coronado Islanders and the East Nicolaus Spartans was a closely fought contest that showcased both teams’ year-long preparation and sportsmanship. The battle script was known that the Spartans’ own a dominating ground game, averaging almost 400 yards per contest and the Islanders run a spread offense with skillful precision. Both offenses were effective at times, but the game really was a test of defensive wills. Coronado received the opening kick and their first play was a screen pass to Chris Haas that gained 11 yards. Soon after, the Islanders were forced to punt. East Nicolas also gained an initial first down before the Islander defense stiffened and forced a punt that traveled 60 yards, pinning the Islanders at their 9-yard line. After another Islander punt, the Spartans’ #45 Donavan Switalski took a well executed screen pass 30 yards to the Islander 27 yard line. On third down, Coronado’s Alejandro Carrera broke up a pass in the end zone, setting up a 4th and long that East Nicolaus could not convert and the Islanders took over on downs.
In the second quarter, several strong runs had the Spartans first and goal at the 9. The Islander defensive line, led by #64 Sullivan Alexander, held strong forcing a 4th and goal from the 3rd yard line. With the home crowd noise boosting the Islander defense, a run blitz pressured the quarterback preventing a touchdown and Coronado took over on downs again.
On the next series, running back Chris Haas finally broke free around the right end and scampered 87 yards for an Islander touch down. The crowd went wild until they saw the yellow flag back at the 10 yard line. The points were taken off the board for an illegal procedure penalty as the Islanders marched back to their 7-yard line. On fourth down, Coronado’s punt snap sailed out of the end zone and the Spartans were on the scoreboard with a safety. On the ensuing drive East Nicolaus flexed their ground game, methodically moving the ball to the 2 yard line where quarterback Steven Brown tossed a touchdown pass to Nolan Goyet. The 2-point conversion failed, but the Spartans had an 8-0 lead.
Near the end of the first half, the Islanders mounted a drive through the air. When Briley Knight connected with Kyle Gilbert on a 20 yard pass, the Islanders had a chance to score with 9 seconds left. But the next pass was intercepted in the end zone bringing the first half to an end.
In the 3rd quarter, Chris Haas returned a Spartan punt 18 yards and the Islanders started spreading the ball around. Quarterback Briley Knight connected on passes to Kyle Gilbert, Tyler Corbin and Daniel Komorowski. Another catch by Gilbert took the ball to the six-yard line. A few plays later, Chris Haas took a quick pitch and bowled his way into the end zone for an Islander touchdown. Knight rolled right on the conversion try and dove towards the goal line, but the Spartan defenders held him from breaking the plane, keeping the score 8 to 6.
The Islanders, riding some momentum, attempted an on-side kick that Ethan Cahill appeared to have recovered as he was clobbered out of bounds. The officials ruled Ethan’s feet did not come down in bounds and East Nicolaus took over.
In the fourth quarter, East Nicolaus drove to the Islander 25 yard line where Coronado’s defensive grit again stopped the Spartans on 4th down, keeping the Islander hopes of a State Championship alive. But East Nicolaus’ ground attack continued to wear down the smaller Islanders. The rain began coming down steadily, dampening Coronado’s passing game. With time running out, the Spartans converted two long 4th downs, followed by quarterback Steve Brown’s touchdown scamper. When the visitors made good on the 2-point conversion, the game was in hand. The Islanders valiantly mounted a last minute drive and converted several long passes, the last of which was intercepted and the game came to a soggy end with the final score 16 – 6.
Despite the loss, the Islanders held their heads high. Their play in the championship game was a glowing example of a brotherhood forged throughout the season. The determination and perseverance displayed was inspiring to all the fans who came out to cheer on the home team. Thanks for a memorable season Islander football!
