It was a crisp fall evening when the Crawford Colts came to town hoping to even their record with a win against the Islanders. Coronado, coming off two blow-out wins, knew they were in for a tougher battle in their Central League opening game.
Coronado kicked off and quickly forced a three and out. After giving up a couple of first downs, the Colts defense sacked Islander quarterback Briley Knight at mid-field forcing Coronado to punt. The Colts special teams let them down by muffing the punt and the Islanders recovered at the 21 yard line. All night Coronado’s front line opened holes for the Islander backfield. With the ball on the 10 yard line, Islander workhorse Daniel Komorowski took the ball off right tackle and plowed his way into the end zone for the opening score. PAT attempt failed, but the Islanders were in front 6-0.
Both teams played solid defense in the first half. After trading punts, the Colts finally got some momentum going, moving the ball down to the Islander 20. On fourth down, Crawford lined up for a field goal that was blocked by the Islander defensive front. Coronado took over and on first down Knight connected with #12 Joe Byrne for a nice 14 yard gain. But the Islanders went backwards from there with 4 consecutive penalties. Facing a 3rd and 41, Knight scrambled for 6 yards and the Islanders were forced to punt from deep in their own territory. Coronado’s defense, led by Hugo Shirley’s 6 tackles, did not allow Crawford to get into any rhythm. On third down, #2 Caleb Evans stuffed a run. On fourth down, Crawford decided to go for it and the Islanders were ready. An all out blitz sacked the Colts’ quarterback for a 7 yard loss.
Grabbing the momentum from the defense, Coronado went back to work on the ground game. Two plays later, Komorowski took a draw play up the middle for a 42 yard touchdown. PAT by #64 Sullivan Alexander was good and the Islanders led 13-0 with 9:30 left in the half.
Brimming with confidence, the Islander defense continued its aggressiveness. #79 Charles Duffy bull rushed the Colts line, dropping their quarterback for a 13 yard loss.
On their next drive, the Islanders methodically worked the ball down field. QB keeper for 9 yards. #4 Braeden Laughlin went around right side for 8 yards.
Caleb Evans, who ended the game with 54 yards rushing, up the middle for 9 more. After Briley Knight’s touchdown scamper was called back for a penalty, he rolled right and hit Komorowski for a 10 yard TD pass.
Coronado was in command 20-0 with 2:26 left in the half.
The Islanders forced another punt and the offense wasn’t through. From the 21 yard line Knight hit Braden Laughlin on the right flank and Braden took it to the house for a 79 yard touchdown. Islanders were rolling at the half 27-0.
Coronado received the 2nd half kick off and kept their foot on the gas. An option pitch from Knight to Komorowski worked to perfection, as Daniel blasted untouched for a 79 yard touchdown. PAT converted and the rout was on, 34-0.
Coronado’s Kyle Gilbert and Hugo Shirley shined on defense in the second half leading the Islanders to their second straight shut-out. The offense kept on clicking with Caleb Evans taking over at running back. Caleb went around the left side for a 36 yard gain, followed by Briley Knight’s QB keeper good for 17. #22 Alec Legidakes gained 8 yards on a tough run up the middle. The scoring was capped with Evans diving into the end zone for a touch down.
A lone hi-light for the Colts was when #22 Oliver Ellis returned the ensuing kickoff 70 yards to the Islander 25 yard line. By this time, the game was being played under a running clock for the second week in a row The homecoming crowd continued to cheer on their football team until the final whistle blew. Final score Coronado 41, Crawford 0. The Islanders look sharp on all phases of the game and should be one of the favorites to win the Central League.
Next week’s game is at Clairemont with kick off at 6:30p. The Clairemont Chieftains are 5-2 Overall and 2-0 in Central League action, so the match-up should be close.
