Islanders Shake Off Slow Start to Post 24-7 Playoff Win

It took awhile for the action to pick up in Friday night's Division IV playoff game between visiting Mission Bay and Coronado High. But the Islanders erupted for 16 third-quarter points to put away the Bucs 24-7 and advance to a quarterfinal meeting with Mount Miguel next Friday.

"It kind of looked like a soccer game to begin with, then we got it going," said Islanders coach Tony Isabella, referring to Coronado's 2-0 lead at halftime thanks to a blocked Mission Bay punt in the first quarter that rolled through the end zone for a safety.

Senior running back Charles Westbrook bolted 78 yards for a score along the right sideline early in the third quarter to give the Islanders (8-3) some breathing room. Before the quarter had ended, Ryan Halvorson caught a 12-yard TD pass from Austin Denson and Robby Weissenfels kicked a 24-yard field goal.

After a Mission Bay (5-5-1) touchdown narrowed the score to 18-7 in the fourth quarter, Westbrook scored from three yards out following a long Denson to Hunter Corpus pass play.