Pacifica defeats Salinas 17-14
Islanders win close one on the road to remain unbeaten

The Islanders were the subject of more than a few questionable calls in a 17-14 road win against Salinas Spartans on May 9, 2009, including this fumble by Spartans QB David Carriedo that was uncalled. Photo by Bryan Tan/Pacifica Islanders

Salinas, Ca. - Pacifica Islanders advance to 9-0 defeating the Salinas Spartans in a tough 17-14 battle coming right down to the end. Islanders traveled to Salinas this past Saturday with only one thing in mind, defeating the Spartans and moving closer to an undefeated regular season. But the Spartans had other plans and weren't going to let the Islanders accomplish their goals without putting up a fight.

While in the first half the Islanders showed that they could move the ball, the Spartans defense would tighten up and keep the Islanders from scoring in the 1st half. While the Spartans offense managed to capitalize and move the ball enough to connect on two field goals, one coming with just a few seconds in the half, giving the Spartans the 6-0 lead going into the half.

Islanders came out in the second half with strong intensity and a desire to turn this game around. The Islanders received the opening kick off, and it only took one offensive play to change the momentum of this game around. It came on a passing play and just when it looked as if QB Scott Burke had no where to throw the ball and possibly had to throw it away, he found Rb Jason Harrison open just to his left, the short throw would turn out to be a huge play when Jason Harrison read his blockers and used his outstanding speed to run by all defenders scoring on a 60 yard touchdown pass. Kicker Colby Cason PAT was good giving the Islanders a 7-6 score just seconds into the second half.

The Islanders were determined to keep the momentum swinging on their side, they would do just that when Burke connected with his wide out and nick Iano beat his defender on a 60 yard touchdown pass. Giving the Islanders a 14 to 6 lead.

After a Colby Cason field goal putting the Islanders lead to 11, the Salinas Spartans would not lay down. Towards the end of the fourth quarter the Spartans made their way down field, and on a scrambling passing play connected in the middle of the endzone for a Spartans touchdown. Spartans executed the 2 point conversion slimming there point deficient to just three at 14 to 17.

Spartans Defense used there remaining time outs and the two minute warning along with tough defense to give their offense one last chance at driving down the field and getting some points on the board. But Islanders outside linebacker Vince Andrews had different thoughts when he intercepted the Spartans' pass sealing the Islanders' ninth victory of the season.

The Pacifica Islanders next weekend will host the South Bay Stallions at Terra Nova High School in Pacifica. The game will be on May 16th at 5:30 pm. This is the last regular season game, the Islanders will look to finish their regular season off undefeated and encourage all fans to come out and cheer the team on! Admission is just $10, what a way to enjoy your evening watching some good football!