ISLANDERS POISED FOR 2015 TITLE RUN

By Candy Taman

Sage Garcia has transitioned well from youth football and is one of the leagues top defenders. (photo by Rich Camacho IV)

The John F. Kennedy Islanders tasted a piece of glory last season opening up their season strong with a few tallies in the win column. It was the green machine’s first notable winning season with then offensive coordinator Mike Pangelinan chopping them up and defensive coordinator Mike Mendiola cutting them down.

In 2015, Pangelinan has taken the helm as the head coach and his Islander squad is ready to show their 2014 success was no fluke.

Building A Program

Heading into his third year coaching at JFK, but first as the head coach, Mike “Pangie” is sticking to his guns and emphasizing building a program at the Tumon school. A new addition to his coaching staff (but certainly not new to football) returning/ longtime coach Rich Cotelesse.

The two similar styles of coaching would definitely play to the advantage of the team with both coaches being on the same page and having the same expectations from their players.

Cotelesse is joined by Mark Manglona whose two sons look to be an impact on the field in the coming months. There is definitely no shortage of experience on this staff and has the makings of dynasty-bound program.

Key Losses

Captain Chris Naputi looks to get back the Islanders to top form in 2015. (photo by Richard Camacho IV)

The biggest hole to fill this season was with quarterback Quinton Iriarte who will be attending his senior year in Hawaii. Returnee Nolan Chamberalain and a new addition in quarterback Ricky Brown, from the FD Friars, look to take the helm on that explosive JFK offense.

Defensively for JFK, they lost a key defensive tackle/linebacker in Mike Mendiola Jr. but expectedly Mendiola Jr. has returned as an advisor to their defense under Mike Mendiola.

Key Returnees

The whole JFK defense, with the exception of few graduates, will return super charged with healthy and much more athletic captains in Chris Naputi, Sage Garcia and Sean Gomez, who all have unsettled business from last season.

Incoming Mason Manglona looks to share if not overtake the spotlight from older brother Markus on both sides of the ball. Offensively for JFK Quitugua, Gomez, and Garcia look to pump some fresh blood in to that green machine offense.

The past seasons have served well with the message that JFK is looking to convey. Other than building a program from a coaches perspective, team wise the focus is “team ball”

“I’m looking to produce on offense, work hard! Sweat, blood, tears… Fight for my team and on ‘D’ we’ll hold it down.” said Gomez jokingly after practice

“JFK is family, everyone stays together and we work together as a team no matter what win or lose we’re a team” said Chamberlain with the right mindset.

Quarterback Ricky Brown is suiting up for the Islanders this season after playing with the FD Friars last year. (photo by Richard Camacho IV)