Islanders Hope for a Championship Season

Ryan Buchan, Islanders Staff Writer
Jan. 26, 2008

The Pacifica Islanders have just started practicing for their 2008 season and already they are looking to win a championship. “We will win. We will go undefeated, mark my words,” said running back Jarmar Julian.
 
The Islanders are forced to play in the Central Valley Football League because they were denied the ability to play in the Golden Coast Football League, which consists of mostly Bay Area teams. Islander staff members believe the cause for this action is because of the tremendous talent on their team.
 
This is the first year of existence of the Islanders; however, it carries over a lot of the players and staff from the Renegades of 2005. “As the Renegades in 2005 we won the National Championship, recognized throughout the country, and they’re scared of that, and this team is going to be better than that team,” said Jeff Gilbert, executive vice president for the Islanders.
The CVFL is made up of teams mostly from the Fresno area. That means the Islanders will have to travel farther than most teams to play.

The Islanders are loaded with talent including Julian, the former running back for the Kansas City Chiefs, who left the NFL because of a series of injuries. “Unfortunate circumstances are really the reason he is here rather than there; and that’s too bad,” Gilbert said. Julian hopes to have a productive season aiming to have 1,000 yards rushing and receiving. He has not thrown away his dreams of being an NFL running back. “All I need is one training camp,” said Julian.

Julian looks to have no problem finding holes to run through because he has a stellar offensive line to make blocks. “We will have the best offensive line in the country,” Gilbert said.
Quarterback Jason Piccolotti also looks to help boost this juggernaut of an offense. Members of the coaching staff admire his hard work and believe he is one of the best quarterbacks at this level.

On the other side of the ball the Islanders also look to be impressive. Last week was the first time the Islanders got a chance to work on the defense. “Right now everyone is practicing with a lot of heart. I know their excited about the season coming up,” said defensive coordinator Bill Ahern.
For the time being the Islanders are practicing without pads and are unable to play full contact; however, coach Ahern does not feel that hitting will be a problem this season. It seems that some of the players can’t wait to start hitting. Receiver/defensive back prospect Paul Schoby hopes to contribute “big hits, and a lot of banging.” Schoby also looks to be another weapon on a powerful offensive. He had multiple big gain catches during the Saturday practice and he calls himself “the best kept secret.”

Early on it looks like the Islanders are headed in the right direction with a crop of talented athletes, and a gifted coaching staff.