A convincing 42-0 victory by the Islander Varsity Football Team over Clairemont Friday evening in front of a Homecoming crowd estimated at over 3,000 fans, ran Coronados record to 8-0 overall and 3-0 in the Harbor League.

Crawfords 33-0 victory over Madison also pegs the Colts at 8-0, 3-0 and sets the stage for the big game, the one for all the marbles, winner take all, both teams attempting to cop the gonfalon, well you get the idea. The place to be Friday at 2:30 pm is Crawford High School as the Colts and the Islanders play for the Harbor League title.

Coronado, currently ranked third state-wide in Division IV by CalHiSports.com, beat Clairemont in every aspect of the game, offensively, defensively and on special teams. Clairemont managed to make its way into Coronado territory only three times during the contest, reaching the Islander 38-yard line, the 41-yard line and the 24-yard line before their drives were snuffed out by Coronados defense.

The first big play of the contest was turned in by, to no ones real surprise, senior Co-Captain J.T. Rogan, who blocked a Chieftain punt attempt 90 seconds into the game.

Three plays and 13 yards later, Rogan found the end zone and the rout was on for Coronado. Rogan, who would score three touchdowns in the game, to run his CHS single-season school record in that category to 28, gained 129 net yards rushing on 15 attempts. He now needs 130 yards to eclipse the CHS single season rushing mark set by Marvin Dingle 3 years ago.

Rogans second score came on a 54-yard gallop at the 7:18 mark of the first quarter and his third came on a 30-yard pass reception from senior quarterback Cote Perkins in the third stanza.

The game marked the return to full-time action by seniors Gene Pontes and Bryce Blumenthal, who both coincidentally play tight end on offense and end on defense. Pontes caught touchdown passes of 18 and 26 yards from Perkins, while Blumenthal caught three balls for 48 yards, including an acrobatic effort good for 33 yards at the 3:49 mark of the third quarter.

Needless to say, Head Coach Bud Mayfield is glad to have his senior bookend ends back in action. "Gene started in the second half against Christian, but he really had in impact in the Clairemont game. He had nine tackles on defense and special teams, caught two touchdown passes, and blocked well. Bryce played three quarters at defensive end and had some key catches in the second half. We have some depth now and just in time. It gets (sophomore) David Loving off of the field, not having to play every play. He can concentrate on being a starting linebacker and backup quarterback."

During the course of the game, fans got a preview of next years starting backfield, with the aforementioned Loving calling the signals and tailback Ryan Cummins running the ball. Starting fullback Nick ShepherdMadrid cheap hotels is a junior and figures to be prominent in the backfield mix again next season.

In other action, Cummins intercepted his seventh pass of the season from his defensive back slot; senior tailback Trevor Serfass scored on a seven-yard run to complete the Islander point parade; and Kyle Hammel had a perfect 6-6 performance in extra point conversions. The senior place kicker also had one of his kickoffs clear the end zone and all of his kickoffs landed will within the Chieftain 10-yard line. "His kicking accuracy and height are coming together just when we might need him," added Mayfield. "Hes got his mechanics straightened out and looks great."

Mayfield also singled out Kyle Neeley for his play at safety for injured senior Wesley Bowman. Mayfield said that Bowmans availability for play against Crawford would be a game-time decision.

All of this leads to the Friday showdown with Crawford, who are enjoying the best football season in school history. "They have some real thoroughbreds," Mayfield said. "They have unmatched speed and are one of the quickest teams out of the backfield in San Diego County. The have three guys who can really run. We call them the Crawford Hornets, because they have three running backs and their running backs coach are all from Lincoln."

But the Colts have more than just raw speed, according to Mayfield. "The other improvement is that they have reduced their penalties and they have become more disciplined. A disciplined team with talent is pretty dangerous. They have won all of their games with the long run. They havent driven the ball very often. They count on the big play and we havent allowed a long run or a long throw for a touchdown all season. That will be the matchup."

The Boys Water Polo Team had another good week, defeating Scripps Ranch 12-6 Tuesday and then defeated Foothill of Tustin 9-8 Saturday in a home game played at LaJolla High School. Head Coach Randy Burgess described the Foothill game, which included four athletes, two per team, who competed for Burgess on the Junior National Team, as "a very important meaningless game. The guys came out and played well. We needed to put a complete game together. We needed a boost going into our back-to-back playoff games Monday and Tuesday. We had a very balanced team effort offensively and defensively."

Not surprisingly, the two Islanders who played for Burgess this summer on the Junior National Team, seniors Tommy Corcoran and goalie Scott Syverson, responded to the challenge against Foothill. "Scott had one of his better games of the season, with nine saves, two steals and a really solid game," said Burgess. "He played well all four quarters. Scott was the catalyst of the game, making some saves early. He stayed in there and did a great job."

Corcoran, who was named an Athlete of the Month by The San Diego Union-Tribune, contributed three goals. The balance of the scoring was turned by Matt Digges with two tallies, and Chris Brown, John Arnold, Tim Farrell, and Joey Jankiewicz, all with one goal each.

Forced by the San Diego fires to re-schedule two games, this week stacks up to be an important one for the Islanders. A Monday game against LaJolla and a Tuesday matchup vs. Bishops, also played at LaJolla, will determine the Western League title and the seeding positions for the CIF Division II playoffs which begin Friday. Coronado takes a fine 20-4 record into this weeks play.

The good news is that the CIF playoffs, which have now expanded to include 16 teams for both Division I and II, will be held exclusively at LaJolla High School, where the Islanders will have competed in eight regular season games this year. For a listing of the Islander game schedule in the CIF tournament, which will be determined in a Thursday evening coaches seeding meeting, please check www.nadopolo.com late Friday morning.

Head Coach Phil Trotter has his CHS Girls Volleyball Team poised for an outright Harbor League title, as they hosted Madison High School yesterday. Coronado entered the game undefeated in conference play, while Madisons only loss is to the Islanders. The worst Coronado can emerge from the match is as Harbor League Co-champs.

The Islanders enter the match on an up note, despite having lost to University City of the Western League Thursday by scores of 25-16, 18-25, 25-17, and 25-21. "The second game of the match was as good as we have played all year," Trotter said. "We couldnt maintain that level, but part of it was having a week and a half off. We learned that if we dont play aggressively, it makes a difference against a good team. After a good week of practice, we should be back on track."

"Jamie Klages (outside hitter) is still playing well, but we all played well and are playing more as a team. Actually, its a good sign that no one is standing out that much. When our defense is solid, were doing well as a team."

A total of 10 teams will make the Division IV CIF playoffs and Trotter is expecting a seeding position around the six slot. Thursday evenings coachs seeding meeting will determine the final positioning.

Kari Weidners Girls Golf Team returns to the links this week after losing a match to USDHS last week by 15 strokes. Wednesday the Islanders place five players in the City League Individual Championships, including: Monica Ascolani, Lauren Davis, Alexi Sanchez, Megan Gilman and Isabel Sanchez.

The quintet will play 18 holes at the Balboa Golf Course, with the top scorers advancing to CIF play.

The Girls Tennis Team lost 12-6 to LaJolla Country Day in CIF Team Tennis competition. "We played very well in doubles," said Head CoachRobbin Adair. "Elizabeth Hopkins and Blaire Herron won all three of their sets. In the first set they were down 4-1 and came roaring back.Gretchen Nielsen and Kelsey Dampier won one set and lost 4-6 and 5-7 in the other two sets. Justine Gordon beat their third seed 6-2 andAlexis Castro beat their number one seed 6-4. She was cracking serves and rushing the net. She provided our sixth point."

bed and breakfast inns WroclawStarting Wednesday, Coronado hosts the Western League Individual playoffs at Coronado High School, the Glorietta Courts and at the Coronado Cays.

Congratulations to Varsity Tennis player Briana Acuna on her election as CHS Homecoming Queen. Among a long list of activities, Acuna also serves as the official scorer for the CHS Boys Basketball Team.