LATE TD LIFTS FRIARS PAST JFK

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By Robert Balajadia

FD Friars’ Tyler Okiyama scrambled to get away from the incoming JFK Islander defense. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Slow starts seem to be the theme for high school football in the seasons’ early goings and the FD Friars and JFK Islanders appeared to still be working out the kinks both on offense and defense. However, the Friars managed to pull together a game-winning drive behind quarterback Tyler Okiyama and running back Albert Johnston to defeat the much-improved Islanders 7-0 Saturday night at the GW field.

Okiyama had trouble connecting with his receivers early in the game going just 4 for 10 before connecting on a 36-yard bomb to receiver Nicolas Aglubat that brought the Friars to the JFK 25-yard line late in the fourth quarter.

Okiyama then ran two fake hand-off plays for ten yards that had the Islander defense focusing on stopping the quarterback option. The third play looked much like the fake handoffs but Okiyama stuck the ball in the chest of Johnston in the split-back formation and the defense collapsed on Okiyama allowing Johnston to sprint to the left side of the field for the 15-yard score.

McDonald’s Player of the Game FD Friars Albert Johnston

“We went into the huddle and made sure that everyone does what they’re supposed to do. I have to give credit to my line. The way I saw my tackle take off, he went to the right and I just went left and exploited the opening and made everyone shift to my side and we scored the touchdown,” stated Johnston. “I have to give props to my offensive line and fullback because I wouldn’t score without them.”

A converted PAT pushed the Friar lead to 7-0.

The Islanders and quarterback Quintin Iriarte were quick to respond late in the quarter as Iriarte completed two big passes to Jarred Hernden and Alan Pinkine to get them past midfield. The Friar defense then came up with a huge play on third down as Tristin Hocog and Christopher Mallada dragged down Iriarte in the backfield for a 20-yard loss.

The Friars were tagged with an un-sportsman like conduct penalty for excessive celebration after the sack that granted the Islanders with a new set of downs.

Iriarte then completed a 12-yard first down conversion to Henry Selerino that brought the Islanders in the red zone which got the Friar crowd nervous. The chants of  ‘defense’ seemed to pay off for the Friars as the Islander ground game came to a halt while the secondary disrupted all of Iriarte’s throws forcing a turnover on downs.

With just seconds left on the clock, Okiyama took a knee to officially end the game with the Friars getting their season’s first win.

FD Friars’ Bryton Cepeda caught a 20-yard pass and was taken out of bounds by incoming JFK Islander Derek Gatmen. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Okiyama went 5 for 12 for 90 yards while Iriarte went 10 for 18 for 97 yards and one interception. Johnston had five carries for 34 yards while Pinkine finished with 32 yards on nine carries. Bryton Cepeda caught three passes for 50 yards for the Friars.

The Friar defense was led by Robbie Silan with six tackles while Jereme Gogue had five tackles for the Islanders. Mallada had the highest sack total for the game at 1.5.

The beginning of the season always brings their fair share of issues, but Johnston feels like the Friars have a lot more to work on.

“We need to work on everything. Less mistakes, make sure everyone’s doing what they have to do. We just need to fix our mistakes.”

The Friars had six penalties for the game that totaled 50 yards, including one that called back a touchdown pass from Okiyama to Cepeda, who snagged the ball out of the air with one hand, late in the second quarter.

The Friars improve to 1-0 while the Islanders drop to 1-1.

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

FD Friars’ Albert Johnston broke out left and headed in for a touchdown. (photo by Jesse Castro)

JFK Islander quarterback Quintin Iriarte dropped the ball after being tackled by FD Friars defender. (photo by Jesse Castro)

JFK Islanders’ Jereme Gogue caught a 20 yard pass and was immediately tackled by FD Friars’ Bryton Cepeda. (photo by Jesse Castro)

JFK Islander Alan Pinkine pushed FD Friars’ Zavier Damian out of bounds after Damian ran the ball to the left side. (photo by Jesse Castro)

JFK Islander Jarred Herden was unable to get any yards thanks to the big hit by FD Friars’ Tristen Hocog. (photo by Jesse Castro)

FD Friars’ Bryton Cepeda was stopped by JFK Islander Alan Pinkine 20 yards out from the goal line. (photo by Jesse Castro)

FD Friars’ Zavier Damian continued to fight for inches as JFK Islander Sage Garcia pulls him back. (photo by Jesse Castro)

JFK Islanders’ quarterback Quintin Iriarte handed the ball off to teammate Jarred Herden who ran the ball left side for 4 yards. (photo by Jesse Castro)

FD Friars start their after game review by saying a prayer. (photo by Jesse Castro)

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