ISLANDERS HOLD OFF DOLPHINS 13-12

By Patrick Lujan

A win is a win and the JFK Islanders will take it when they can get it after edging the Southern Dolphins 13-12 Friday night in the ISA Football League at the Guam High field.

Kevin Beckwith scored the go-ahead touchdown for the Islanders in the third quarter and Jermaine Molo recovered a fumbled Southern snap with the Dolphins threatening late in the game to seal the win.

“The win is definitely a confidence booster,” JFK head coach Allen Blend said. “We have a young squad who are eager to learn and new to the sport. The positive outcome hopefully shows them that with hard work, determination and the will to stick it out to the end is something they can build on.”

Beckwith and fellow running back John Manibusan provided the spark for the JFK offense with tough, nifty runs throughout the night.

The Islanders struck pay dirt on their first possession as both Beckwith and Manibusan marched them down field before big Jermaine Molo, playing quarterback, called a QB sneak and bulldozed his way into the end zone from 20 yards out. Alesana Jorlang’s PAT kick made it 7-0.

The Dolphins answered right back, however, when quarterback Mike Jesus hit Ethan Guerrero on a slant from the right side before Guerrero turned on the jets to score on the 62-yard hookup. The PAT run was no good, making it 7-6 heading into halftime.

After a 3-and-out, Southern threatened again in the second quarter, driving from their 20 down to a 1st-and-goal at the 1-yard line – thanks to 40 yards of rushing alone from Donte Salas. Unfortunately for the Dolphins, they were unable to punch it in from there.

The Dolphins did take the lead early in the third quarter. After a bad JFK punt snap that gave Southern great field position, Bobby Taisapic took a counter dive up the middle and jolted in from 19-yards out. The PAT attempt was no good, but Southern had a 12-7 lead.

Like Southern did in the first quarter, the Islanders came right back with a scoring drive on the very next possession as Manibusan and Beckwith did all the heavy lifting. Beckwith’s 27 yard run, the longest of the night, set up an easy off tackle score from the 1 for the game-winning score.

“Kevin is definitely an asset to us this year,” Coach Blend spoke about the Simon Sanchez player who is new to the team. “He’s learning the ropes and has adapted to our scheme on both offense and defense and has really been a great leader to the team.”

Beckwith led the Islanders with 61 yards rushing on 11 carries. Southern’s Salas had a solid game, rushing for 106 yards on 16 carries.

Southern takes on the FD Friars next Friday at GW, while JFK will host the Okkodo Bulldogs on the same night.

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