Islanders beat the heat and the Bears, 40-7
 
QB Myles Gates at the helm of the Islander offense last Saturday vs the PCFL champion Roseville Bears
Photo by Nancy Porfirio

Roseville, Ca - The Pacifica Islanders hit the road again as they traveled into triple digit temperatures. This time it was too Roseville, Ca as they took on the current Pacific Coast Football League’s (PCFL) champion, the Roseville Bears.  The Bears who are 2 time league champions and the 2010 national champs proved to be no match for Pacifica as they were handily defeated 40-7. The Bears had just completed their 11-2 PCFL season defeating the Nor-Cal Knights in the title game 23-21 while the Islanders were a perfect 12-0 in the Gridiron Developmental Football League.

With a kickoff temperature of 99 degrees and a high of 103 the Islanders not only had to battle the Bears but also the heat. The field was a “pro turf” style field which really radiates the heat. These fields get about 10 degrees hotter than the outside temperature as some Islanders can attest too by their partially melted cleats. In fact it was so hot that the team’s videographer Sean Marchetti needed a new pair of shoes by the game’s final as his literally had all the glue melt from between the soles and the shoes separated into layers. Although the Islanders play their home games in cool Pacifica, Ca they were up for the challenge as they have experience playing in these temperatures, having played numerous games in Fresno and Las Vegas. In fact by observing the players on both sides it appeared Pacifica was more conditioned for the home team’s weather as the Bears players looked exhausted as early as the 1st quarter.

The Islanders took the opening kickoff and produced an 86 yard drive that not only took 11 minutes off the clock but also had the Bears gasping for air as QB Myles Gates ran in the first TD from the Bears 6 yard line giving the Islanders the early 7-0 lead. The Bears first possession was short as they had to punt the ball after only 1 series. The Islanders marched right back down and this time it was Gates to Gates as Myles connected with his brother Michael for Pacifica’s only passing TD on the day, a 25 yard pass completion making the score 14-0.

After gaining big yardage from a penalty on the kickoff the Bears took the field at the Islander 50 yard line. After a few failed plays the Bear’s QB Logan Hollis threw a “Hail Mary” type pass that was caught in the end-zone for a touchdown. This catch gave the Bears some needed momentum and seemed as if it would get them back in the game with a score of 14-7. The Islanders however responded immediately, driving down the field at ease and scoring once again, this time it was RB Sal Washington with a 5 yard TD run making the score 21-7 with 1:03 left in the half. With the exception of the penalty on the one kick the Islanders special teams played an excellent game keeping the Bears starting deep in their own territory all day. This along with strong defensive play lead to the Islanders last score before the half as the Bears were forced to punt from their own 5 yard line with only 19 seconds left on the clock. The punt was botched and the Islanders recovered the ball at the Bear 15, setting Fletcher up for the easy field goal and giving the Islanders a 24-7 halftime lead.

The second half started with both teams’ defenses making big plays and forcing each other to punt the ball away. The first score in the second half would come with 7:54 in the 3rd quarter as kicker Doug Fletcher connected on another field goal from 27 yards making the score 27-7.

The Bears next drive was killed by a Paki Gordon interception, 1 of 3 on the day for Paki. This set the Islanders up with excellent field position as their offense started their possession inside the Bears territory. RB Sal Washington broke a 37 yard run down to the Bears 5 yard line as the 3rd quarter expired. Sal showed some great vision as he made some very nice moves on his way down the field, keeping Roseville defenders at bay while he ran from one sideline to the other during the long run. RB Michael Blocho was able to seal the score as he ran it in 2 plays later. The PAT was missed as the Islanders went up 33-7 with 14:06 left to play in the contest.

The Islanders final score was a quarterback sneak from Myles Gates from the Bear’s 5 yard line with 8:17 left. The rest of the game was scoreless as the Islanders were once again content with running the clock out.

Pacifica will now return home to host the 3rd Annual California Bowl. The California Bowl has become a tradition between the Islanders and the North County Cobras (Oceanside, Ca). The series consist of both team’s alternating travel each year. The series is split 1-1 so far with each team winning at home. The Cobras play their games in southern California in the LaBelle Community Football League, which is division of the Islanders own league, the Gridiron Developmental Football League. The Cobras made it to their league title game last year only to lose by one field goal against the Inglewood Blackhawks 6-3.

The game will be played at Terra Nova HS on Saturday July 28th with a kickoff of 2pm.