
By Robert Balajadia
It has been quite a while since the JFK Islanders have been a dominant force in football. Head coach Mike Pangelinan stepped in during the 2013 season and has had a mindset of wanting to establish a stable football program for JFK for years to come.
As simple as the idea has been, actually establishing the program has been a tough task that Pangelinan and the coaching staff are still working towards. The Islanders are putting their record from 2013 behind them and are ready to turn a new leaf.
“The coaching staff just needed to eliminate what happened last year. We are trying to establish a football program and not a ‘one-season’ shin dig. We wanted to bring in the veterans and new guys and have them learn how to play united and with confidence.”
Pangelinan’s toughest position to build has been the offensive line with many of the lineman from 2013 playing the position, and the game for that matter, for the very first time.
JFK will also be playing without Jarred Hernden and Jeremy Gogue who key players on offense and defense for the Islanders.
Quarterback Quinton Iriarte is back under center for JFK and with defensive leaders like Mike Pangelinan Jr. and all purpose players like Sage Garcia 2014 could be a bright year for the young squad.
“We do have a balanced influx of talent. We don’t want to get too fancy and we’re just going basic,” added Pangelinan of the talent of his roster.
Key Players in 2014
Quinton Iriarte (All Island honorable mention quarterback)
Mike Pangelinan Jr. (linebacker)
Sage Garcia (running back/linebacker)
Key Losses
Jarred Hernden
Jeremy Gogue
Austin Pernet
Teams around the IIAAG have given a lot of credit to the GNYFF program that has helped entry level high schoolers better transition into the different animal that is high school football. Not many teams proves that more than the JFK Islanders as Pangelinan admitted nearly 80% of his roster his made up of GNYFF players.
JFK plays host on opening night to the FD Friars and Pangelinan has been steadily working to get the team ready to face off against the Friars despite the big struggle of not being able to run full contact practices for the early parts of training.
“It’s been hard because of the issues with GDOE on purchasing equipment and gear. We fell behind with the contact portion of football, though it hasn’t hurt the heart of our guys because they’re here practicing hard every night. Our preparation right now is to just get the boys game ready and letting them understand the difference between practice and game time,” said Pangelinan.
High school football is full of established coaches like the GW’s Ryan Rios, Sanchez’ Jimmy Nahalowaa, and FD’s Bruce Meno. Pangelinan aims to join the ranks of established coaches in the league having committed long-term goals for the Islanders and the future is already looking bright.
“We’re not very big in the high school scene, but we are very experienced in the youth leagues,” said Pangelinan on being recognized as a coach. “We are trying to bring the consistency and continuity back to JFK.”


GPS Sports Calendar
February 2023
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for January
1st
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
2nd
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
Events for February
3rd
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
TRITONS BASEBALL INVITATIONAL PLAYOFFS
Events for February
4th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
Events for February
6th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
7th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
8th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
9th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
Events for February
10th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
TRITONS BASEBALL INVITATIONAL FINALS
Events for February
11th
Events for February
13th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
14th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
15th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
Events for February
16th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
Events for February
17th
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
Events for February
18th
BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2K/5K
World Athletics Cross Country Championships
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
Events for February
19th
SPRINT TRIATHLON, PACIFIC GAMES QUALIFIER
MONSTER ENERGY MOTOCROSS ROUND 2
Events for February
20th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
21st
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
22nd
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
23rd
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
Events for February
24th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL QUARTERFINALS
Events for February
24th
Events for February
25th
Events for February
27th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER SEMIFINALS
Events for February
28th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL FINALS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE SEMIFINALS
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS

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