Sports

Kearny Holds Off Islanders 31-21 to Take League Lead

Coronado can't overcome an 18-2 halftime deficit in the battle for first in the Central League.

After scoring only a safety in the first half, the Coronado High football team made a game of it in the second half Friday night at Niedermeyer Field, but Kearny used its speed and a strong passing game to claim a 31-21 victory,

The win puts the Komets atop the Central League Standings at 3-0, with the Islanders falling a game back at 2-1. Both teams are 5-2 overall.

Wide receiver Charles Tucker hauled in three touchdown passes (16, 57 and 59 yards) from quarterback Shawn Boose, who added a fourth scoring pass and ran one in for the Komets. Kearny led 12-0 after a quarter and 18-2 at the half.

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But two Coronado touchdowns in the third quarter, the first on a 48-yard touchdown run by Hunter Corpus with a lateral off a fake punt, allowed the Islanders to close the gap to 18-15. Corpus also scored the second TD on a 7-yard pass from Austin Denson.

"We came out fired up in the second half," said Islanders coach Tony Isabella. "But the one thing we didn't have an answer for was their speed."

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The 59-yard reception by Tucker just a few plays after Coronado closed within three gave Kearny a 25-15 lead through three quarters. After an Islander drive stalled near midfield, the Komets went 46 yards in just three plays for the clincher.

Denson hit Jack Perkins from three yards out for the final Coronado score.

The Islanders have a bye next week before hosting Clairemont on Oct. 28.

 


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