The Islanders (0-3 league and 3-6 overall) hosted the Clairemont Chieftains (2-2 league and 5-4 overall) on Friday night in a crucial central league matchup. Clairemont suited up only 24 players, most of whom were going to play on both sides of the ball. It was senior night for Coronado as they honored all senior players and cheerleaders during the evening.
On Clairemont’s opening play, Jay Rensfield ran a sweep right good for 44 yards and into Islander territory. On the Chieftain’s second play they threw long and it was intercepted by Coronado’s #27 James Whitthoff at the 5 yard line. Coronado’s first play was an overthrown swing pass that bounced into the end zone for an early Chieftain safety and 2 point lead.
The ensuing Islander free kick was covered with a nice tackle by Junior Ward Anderson. Coronado’s defense collapsed on Clairemont’s run game forcing a 3 and out. The Islanders kept the ball in the air most of the first half with mixed success. After punting the ball back to Clairemont, #10 Braeden Laughlin had a highlight reel tackle deep in the Chieftain’s backfield, dropping their full back for a 5 yard loss. One the next play, Laughlin, with help from his D line, forced a fumble to give the Islanders back the football.
Coronado, looking for a spark, completed a 9 yard pass from QB Lance Lorentz to Caden Gentry. On the next play, Gentry hauled in a nice 16 yard slant pass and the Islanders were threatening to take the lead. A fumbled shotgun snap ended the drive as Clairemont took over. The Chieftains struck quickly on a 41 yard touchdown run giving them a 9-0 lead with 1:40 to go in the first quarter.
On Coronado’s next possession they managed one first down on a 13 yard pass completion to tight end Ward Anderson. But Clairemont’s front 5 were stopping the Islander run game forcing Coronado to beat them with the pass. Mid-way through the 2nd period, Coronado mounted a drive that was highlighted by a 26 yard pass to Caden Gentry converting a 4th and 10. That brought the ball inside the 5 yard line where running back Max Baker plowed in for a touchdown, making the score 9-7.
The Islander defense made a number of terrific tackles to slow the Chieftains’ grinding attack. A big sack brought a 4th and 13 from the 32 yard line. But Clairemont ran a perfectly executed half back sweep to the right, and passed back to the quarterback, uncovered for a touchdown.
Near the end of the half, Islander nose tackle #72 Cal Frank sacked the QB for a 7 yard loss. That play was followed by another big hit on the Chieftain running back forcing a fumble recovered by Braeden Laughlin. The Islanders were unable to find the end zone and the half ended with a score of Clairemont 16, Islanders 7.
Neither team could do much in a scoreless third quarter. The Islander offensive line continued having trouble making any room for the running attack. Coronado’s defense kept them in the game with some hard hitting by safety Colton Cline and defensive ends Joey Discenzo and Josh Wink. Early in the fourth period, Clairemont’s big fullback barreled in from the 3 yard line to extend the lead to 23 to 7.
Clairemont recovered the ensuing pooch, on-side kick to keep Coronado away from the football. The Chieftains kept control of the ball and the clock pushing across two more scores late in the 4th quarter to make the final score Clairemont 36 – Islanders 7.
The Islanders host San Diego High Cavers next Friday in another Central League match-up. Kick off is at 6:30. Get out and cheer on your Islanders!
