DOLPHINS MAKE HISTORY IN PLAYOFF UPSET

By Robert Balajadia

History almost never gets made in a football quarterfinals game, but Saturday night marked a first for the Southern Dolphins football team after facing a bunch of ‘never’ every football season.

Late game drama, player ejections, and a season on the line don’t just make up a good sports movie, but it also made up for one thrilling football game where the Southern Dolphins picked up their first ever unscripted playoff victory over the JFK Islanders. The Dolphins held on to stun the home team Islanders 11-6 to advance to the semifinals for the first time in the schools existence.

“We were 100% confident that we could have came out with the win tonight, and that’s what we did. We all believe in each other and in our coaches,” said Dolphins linebacker Dominick Flores, who came away with the game sealing interception.

Southern capitalized on two bad snaps on 4th down by the Islanders in the 2nd and 3rd quarter, which allowed Southern to put points on the board.

Kicker Napu Topasna scored the teams first points on a field goal from 18 yards away in the 2nd quarter and running back Kam’ron Tenorio scored the teams only touchdown from eight yards out midway through the 3rd.

“All year our offensive line has been criticized, but today they came out a did a great job. They played great and we [running backs] were just returning the favor from their blocking,” said Tenorio on the teams offense.

Tenorio tallied 57 yards to go along with his touchdown.

The Islander offense struggled for majority of the game with quarterback Ricky Brown completing just two of his 13 attempts for 17 yards and one interception.

Holding Off The Islanders

JFK was facing an 11-0 deficit late in the 4th quarter after a short rain shower. The winds of change blew in favor of the Islanders after Southerns Napu Topasna’s punt traveled just 15 yards, going out of bounds at the Southern 25.

On second down, Islanders quarterback Ricky Brown looked for running back Marcus Manglona on a handoff, but seemingly went the wrong way which prompted Brown to tuck and run the ball. Brown broke one tackle at the line of scrimmage and bounced to the left side of field, out running the Dolphins secondary while diving inside the end zone for the Islanders first score.

A failed 2-point conversion left the score 11-6 with under four minutes to play.

Islanders kicker Tyler Pangelinan booted a line drive on the ensuing kick off that went through the legs of two Dolphins before Islander Sage Garcia pounced on top of the ball for the onside recovery at the Dolphin 30.

Wendy’s players of the game running back Kam’ron Tenorio and linebacker Dominick Flores. (photo by Dan Paran)

Penalties moved JFK in the wrong direction forcing them to turn to Brown and the vertical game. Flores was well aware of what the Islanders were aiming to do after jumping the route of Pangelinan nearly picking off Brown on third down.

Upset at his missed opportunity, Flores put himself in better position by picking off Brown on fourth down to give the Dolphins back the ball. A few run plays and an Islander penalty allowed Southern to hang on for the win.

“Dropping the first ball made me mad and my emotions got the best of me, but I just had to step up on the next down. Being a team captain, you have to go out there and lead the team in a moment like that,” added Flores, who also finished with five tackles.

The JFK defense was led by Sage Garcia’s 11 tackles and Sean Gomez’s seven.

Price Of A Win

The Dolphins made away with the win, but may have lost their top offensive and defensive talents for the showdown against GW in the process. Kam’ron Tenorio and linebacker Dylan Tenorio were both ejected on the same play in the 4th quarter after a short run by Kam.

“I got tackled in a weird position where my legs were up in the air while I was trying to get up. One of the players said I had kicked Sage [Garcia], and I know while I was trying to get up I might have hit someone, but it wasn’t intentional. There were no refs around on the play and next I know I’m ejected,” explained Kam on the ejection.

Dylan got into an on-field altercation which prompted his ejection, which he later apologized for. Islander defensive tackle Christopher Parker also made a late exit after getting ejected for after-play engagement on a separate play.

The rules following a player ejection entitle a player to miss their next game. With Southern getting ready to play the biggest game in school history, their top talents are going to be needed on the field.

“My coaches are going to fight to have us on the field,” said Kam on the situation.

Regardless of who’s on the field, Southern’s latest win has given the team a plethora of confidence heading into the showdown with the Geckos.

“We know we can win, we have a lot of talent on both sides of the ball. We just need to keep playing hard like we have in the past couple of weeks and I know we can conquer a win,” Tenorio added.

Other Score

GW 35, Sanchez 20

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Islander quarterback Ricky Brown Jr. runs with the ball and dives to the ground for the touchdown. (photo by Daniel Paran)

Marcus Manglona leaps out of the way of the Dolphins’ Corey Duenas for a good return after receiving the punt. (photo by Daniel Paran)

Islander Sage Garcia gains a some yards, barely getting away from one of the Dolphins. (photo by Daniel Paran)

Dominick Flores intercepts a pass intended for the Islanders’ Sage Garcia, securing the win for the Dolphins. (photo by Daniel Paran)

The Dolphins’ #35 Jeric Navarro tries to make his way around the Islanders’ #35, Tyler Pangelinan. (photo by Daniel Paran)

Kam’ron Tenorio plans his course of action as his linemen keep the Islanders back. (photo by Daniel Paran)