June 5, 2010
Rick Rivers
Islanders win 19-6 over Nor-Cal Lawmen

Lawmen RB Darnell Jefferies catches a pass as Islander defenders Ronald Hargraves (28) and Thad Vinson (5) close in. Photo by Nancy Porfirio

Pacifica, Ca. Despite an injury plagued secondary and some miscues on offense the Islanders won their 8th regular season game improving their NCFL record to 8-1. The win guarantees Pacifica at minimum the number 2 seeding in the northern conference. Currently tied with the Salinas Spartans for first place in the conference, if both teams win next week the Islanders hold the tie-breaker by beating Salinas 28-12 in week 1.

Both the Lawmen & Islanders struggled to put points on the board early. Both teams are known for their defensive play, as the Islanders defense leads the league in points allowed per game (8.1) and the Lawmen’s John Miller & Lance Butler are both in the top 3 in the league in tackles with 30.5 each. Living up to expectations both team’s held the other scoreless through the first quarter.

Scoring in the second quarter also looked to be absent until Islander QB John Manville connected with WR Angelo Winston for 5yd touchdown in the back of the end zone at about the midpoint of the period. A mis-timed timed snap caused the extra point to be missed making the score 6-0. On the Lawmen’s next possession the Islander’s defense stepped up and decided to do some scoring themselves. DE Anthony Edwards, DT Mataese (Mike) Togafau and LB Scott Burke all collided with Lawmen QB Devin Terrell as he tried to make an exchange to a Lawmen RB causing a Nor-Cal fumble. Edwards picked up the loose ball and returned it for a 35 yard touchdown. The Islanders took the 13-0 lead into the half.

The 3rd quarter was much like the first as both teams went scoreless and the defenses caused turnovers. In what sometimes looked lethargic the Islanders offense continued to make mistakes. Costly penalties and fumbled snaps plagued them throughout the evening. Islander head coach Tom Piccolotti said after the game “This was not championship football out there today, we have a lot to work on. The way the defense played today they deserved a shutout but the offense did not oblige” he continued “We will get this fixed”.

Islander’s quarterbacks John Manville and Jason Piccolotti split time in the game. John went 11-19 127 yards 1TD, 2 INT while Jason went 1-3 23 yards & 1TD. Jason’s touchdown came in the 4th quarter when he hit Cecil Elekewachi for his 4th TD catch of the season. Running back Jason Harrison finished the evening with 18 rushes for 101 yds.

With less than 4 minutes remaining in the game the Lawmen were able to finally get on the board. Defensive back Rashad Winslow intercepted a Manville pass and returned it for a touchdown thus making the score 19-6 Islanders.

Next week the Islanders wrap up the regular season on the road in Menlo Park against the Southbay Stallions who are coming off a huge win over the Golden State Giants and are also in the playoff mix. Game time is set for 1:30 at Menlo Atherton HS - 214 Ringwood Ave, Menlo Park, CA. The Islanders will be back at Terra Nova on June 19th hosting the first round of the Northern California Football League’s post season.