The Vincent Memorial Scots traveled to Coronado Friday night to take on the Islanders in a non-league football match-up. Both teams looked evenly match as far as size, speed and depth. The Islanders defense looked stout during the opening drive, stuffing Vincent Memorial’s first two running plays, forcing a deep pass on 3rd down which fell incomplete. Islander Braeden Laughlin, who would have a break-out first half, fielded the Scot’s first punt and returned it 11 yards just past mid-field. On Coronado’s first play from scrimmage, #25 Daniel Komorowski accelerated around the left end for a 46 yard touchdown scamper. Andres Gonzales-Luna converted the PAT and just like that, the Islanders were up 7-0.
On their next possession, Vincent Memorial still could not run on the Islanders, but quarterback Edward Valenzuela flashed his strong arm, competing a 60 yard pass which would have gone the distance, if not for a touchdown saving tackle by Braeden Laughlin at the 2 yard line. A couple plays later, Valenzuela scored on a quarterback sneak. Coronado blocked the extra point to keep the lead 7-6.
#40 Alex Cheever returned the ensuing kick-off to the Islander 40 yard line. After a punishing inside run by Komorowski, Vincent Memorial’s defense stiffened forcing a 4th and 3. All night long the Islanders went for it on 4th down. This confident attack delighted the home crowd. So on 4th down from the Islander 46 yard line, junior quarterback Briley Knight kept the ball on an option run for 5 yards, keeping the drive alive. On the next series, Knight found #19 Joe Byrne open for a 14 yard pass completion. Again the Scots defense showed up forcing fourth and 4. Coronado handed the ball their workhorse, Komorowski, who grinded out another Islander…first down. Braeden Laughlin took a pitch from Knight for an 8 yard gain as the first quarter expired. Early in the second, Laughlin had a 10 yard scamper; followed by Knight’s keeper to the 4 yard line. On 4th and goal from the 7, the Islanders chose not to kick a field goal and for once was stopped, turning the ball over on downs.
Vincent Memorial were not able to mount much offense. On 4th down, the Islanders swarmed the Scots punt team, sacking the kicker, and taking over at the 9 yard line. On the Islanders’ first play, Knight rolled to his left hitting Laughlin in the flat. Braeden made a nifty move to shed defenders, diving into the end zone for the touchdown. With Coronado up 14-6, the home crowd could feel momentum gaining for the Islanders on both sides of the ball.
On the next Scots’ drive, the Islander defense held strong. #44 Wyatt Montague stuffed a run for no gain and when a swing pass was tried on 3rd down, #3 Micah Rickard absolutely blew the play up, to the noticeable gasps from the fans.
Coronado took over with 5 minutes to play in the first half. Knight hit a 23 yard seam pass to #7 Kyle Gilbert, followed by a 35 yard touchdown strike to #44 Wyatt Montague. Gonzales-Luna converted his third extra point and the Islanders led 21-6.
The Islander dominance continued in the next drive when Joshua Blila and Charlie Duffy combined for a QB sack forcing a quick 4th down. Again the punt was pressured, providing Coronado good field position. On the second play, Briley Knight hit #19 Joe Byrne with a 15 yard touchdown pass. With 1:48 to go in the half, the Islanders had it in hand 28-6.
The Islander offense kept clicking in the second half. Early in the 3rd quarter, Wyatt Montague hauled in his second touchdown pass of the night, a 25 yarder, making the score 35-6. Midway through the 3rd quarter, with Vincent Memorial threatening at the Islander 20 yard line, Komorowski’s run blitz hit the Scots for a loss of 5. A few plays later, the visitors had it first and goal. That’s when Daniel Komorowski, who was unstoppable on offense, really took over the game. He stuffed the 1st down play for an 8 yard loss. He manhandled would be blockers on 2nd down for another 8 yard loss. #64 Sullivan Alexander sacked the quarterback on 4th down and the Islanders took over on downs.
In the 4th quarter, Coronado kept the ball on the ground to keep the clock moving. Briley Knight broke off a 15 yard run, followed by a 15 yard scamper by Komorowski. From the 14 yard line, Knight called an option, pitching to Komorowski for a 14 yard touchdown making it 42-6. Vincent Memorial got into the end zone during mop up time, making the final score 42-14.
Briley Knight ended the game completing 9 of 17 passes for 137 yards and 4 touchdowns. He added 26 yards on 5 carries. The rushing star of the game, Daniel Komorowski had 13 carries for 126 yards and 2 touchdowns. Braeden Laughlin and Joe Byrne each had 2 receptions for 26 and 30 yards respectively and one touchdown each. Wyatt Montague led the receivers with 2 receptions for 60 yards and 2 touchdowns.
The Islanders have a tough match up against Hoover High next Friday at Coronado. Kick off is at 6:30p. Come out and cheer on your Islanders!
