By Jay Leon Guerrero

The JFK Islanders settled down in the second half and came back to defeat the Sanchez Sharks 13-12 in a nail biter on their home turf under the Friday night lights in the IIAAG High School Football league. The Islanders celebrated their second victory of the season over the winless Sharks, who were forced to forfeit their first two games.

Sean Gomez stepped up big for the Islanders to earn the Wendy’s Player of the Game honors after he rushed for a touchdown and made a key interception in the second half to lift the green and gold to their first win of the season to improve to 2-1.

Sharks Bite First

The Sharks scored on their opening drive with tight end Trey Leon receiving a 5-yard reception from his brother Devin Leon to go up 6-0. Having that family ties helped the Sharks as quarterback Devin Leon backpedaled to avoid a sack and threw floater to the left side to his brother who drew single coverage for the touchdown.

The Islanders went 3-and-out on their ensuing possession on offense, but received a break from the Sharks special team after a fumble gave the Islanders the ball back.

Gomez followed his blockers and dashed down the right side line for a 25-yard run on second down to set up first-and-goal at the 3-yard line. Gomez smashed his way into the end zone on the next play to tie the contest at 6-6. The Islanders looked to go up 7-6 but the extra point attempt was blocked by Dan Cruz to keep the score deadlocked.

Before halftime, the Sharks found themselves in the red zone thanks to good blocking and runs by Judd Oyardo and Cruz. The combined running efforts by the Shark duo set up a 12-yard TD reception connection by the Leon brothers once again. The Sharks went for the two point conversion but was halted by Islander Dean Jesus to lead just 12-6 at the break.

The Islanders fumbled on their opening possession in the third quarter which was recovered by Shark Robert Flores. Facing a possible two touchdown deficit, the Islander defense stepped up and recorded two tackles for losses and a sack to contain the Shark offense.

With impressive footwork, Nolan Chamberlain jukes past one Shark after another. (photo by Daniel Paran)

Gomez Big on Defense

Gomez made a huge play on defense, intercepting a pass with the Sharks facing a third-and-long situation. The interception helped the Islander offense find themselves in the red zone with less than a minute left in the third quarter.

Deep in Shark territory, receiver Ivan Gomez ran a slant from 12-yards out to tie the game at 12-12. This time, Islander kicker Tyler Pangelinan converted on the extra point attempt to take the 13-12 lead.

Wendy’s Player of the Game Sean Gomez

Both teams played good defense in the final period of play. With less than two minutes remaining, Sean Gomez looked to seal the victory with a another interception for a pick six but his play was called back. The Islanders eventually took over on a loss of downs and ran the clock out for the victory.

Sean Gomez said that his team made the proper adjustments in the second half and credits a total team effort for the victory. “Our coach told us that nothing comes for free and that we needed to continue to work hard and stay in the game,” said Sean Gomez.

“It was a great team win, from the players to the coaches; I’m happy we got our first win.”

Sean Gomez ran for 42 yards and had an interception. Marcus Manglona rushed for 57 yards and had a reception for 19 yards. Islander quarterback Ricky Brown Jr. had 36 passing yards.

The Sharks, playing their first regular season game after forfeiting their first two games, dropped to 0-3 for the season. Trey Leon had three receptions for 38 yards and 2 touchdowns, Devin Leon threw for 61 yards, 2 touchdowns and an interception.

Oyardo rushed for 63 yards, Cruz had 67 yards in the ground. The Sharks surrendered 95 yards on 9 penalties, the Islanders had 7 penalties for 75 yards.

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Rushing to aid the Sharks’ running back, #23 Dan Cruz puts a stop to oncoming Islanders. (photo by Daniel Paran)

Judd Oyardo dashes forward as a teammate opens a path for him through Islander defense. (photo by Daniel Paran)

Trey Leon grabs hold of a pass and makes a touchdown for the Sharks. (photo by Daniel Paran)

Sharks quarterback, Devin Leon, shoots off a pass to a receiver for some yards. (photo by Daniel Paran)

Marcus Manglona braces himself as the Sharks close in on him. (photo by Daniel Paran)

Quarterback Ricky Brown Jr. keeps his cool under pressure as he waits for an open man. (photo by Daniel Paran)