Nado Natterings Back to Islandersports
A weekly column by David Axelson

Nado Natterings
by David Axelson, Chief Executive Officer
The Islander Sports Foundation

1 Oct 2008 Issue No. 37

Paraphrasing the Dinah Washington hit from the late 1950’s, ‘What a Difference a Week Makes.’ In our last version of ‘Nado Natterings,’ CHS Boys Water Polo Head Coach Randy Burgess noted in his assessment of the team, that they had done some good things in their season opening loss to Newport  Harbor by the score of 12-5, and added, “No excuses, but it was very obvious that it was our first game. We’ll be better after 28 or 29 more games.”

Apparently that timetable has been advanced considerably because the Islanders won their own ‘America’s Finest City’ 32-team tournament over the weekend, their first crown in the event since 2003. Going in to the event as the No. 3 seed, the Islanders had to defeat No. 2 seed Harvard Westlake and No. 1 seed Mater Dei of Orange County to win it all.

The event started with Coronado handily defeating Western of Anaheim 17-5. Adam Ratcliffe and Alex Johnson scored three goals each, with Tommy Schofer adding two goals and three assists. Justin Parsons played the first half in goal, with Garrett Sabesky in the cage in the third quarter and Joe Clarkson taking over in the final frame.

The nightcap Friday was against Poway, which fields a young contingent this year, and the Islanders prevailed 15-1. Schofer contributed four assists and two goals, and five Coronado players, including freshman Eitan Peled scored two goals each. Parsons played the first three quarters, with Sabesky allowing Parsons to watch the fourth quarter from the bench.

Saturday the Islanders played three games, a stretch that Burgess called, “The best series of games in one day that we have played in a long time, perhaps five or six years.” Coronado’s first game was against a highly-regarded Ventura team. “We came out with a lot of confidence and we were focused,” Burgess added. “Johnson had a monster game with five goals and he drew four exclusions. Rex Butler and Paul Pedrotty had three goals each. The defensive standout was Schofer with four steals, several of which came early in the game and led to counterattack goals. That helped set the pace for the game.”

Parsons contributed seven saves in his 21 minutes of play. Clarkson played the fourth quarter and was credited with three saves. The final score was 14-6.

Then it was on to Harvard Westlake in the semi-finals and the Islanders prevailed 8-5. Schofer turned from a defensive threat to a big gun offensively, scoring three goals and assisting on two others. Johnson scored two goals, and drew five exclusions, which Burgess termed ‘pretty massive.’ Parsons played the entire game and had 10 saves.

The finals brought No. 1 seed Mater Dei face to face with Coronado and the Islanders won the title game 8-6, on the combined offensive talents of Ratcliffe and Johnson who scored three times each. “Ratcliffe had a couple of transition goals in the third quarter to break it open,” Burgess said. Coronado won the third quarter 4-1, which determined the outcome of the game. Parsons was credited with 13 saves.

For their efforts, Johnson and Schofer were named to the All-Tournament Team and Parsons was named Most Valuable Goalie for the 80-game event.

The America’s Finest City Tournament was a coming out party of sorts for Parsons, who plays water polo, basketball and baseball at Coronado. Burgess, talking to other coaches at this event, determined that the 6-5 Parsons is the best net minder in San Diego County and one of the Top 3 goalies in the nation. And there is more to come according to Burgess. “Our defense hasn’t done him justice. When we solidify what we want to do defensively, it will be more obvious how good he is. He reads the ball well coming in and makes the outlet pass (to start the offense) very well. He’s a great kid and I love working with him.”

The team’s underclassmen are performing well, which speaks well for the future. Sophomores Patrick Geer and Dylan Peterson and freshmen Van Burgess and Peled are “All on target” according to Burgess. “We have no team experience because everyone has graduated. Ratcliffe is our only returning starter and last year Parsons was our backup goalie. Our practices are always interesting. Wednesday and Thursday we had two of the worst practices we have had in a year. We didn’t know who was going to show up in the tournament.”

This week Coronado (5-1) hosts three games at the Brian Bent Memorial Aquatics Complex. Wednesday University City comes to Coronado for a 5 pm game. Friday the Islanders take on archrival The Bishop’s School at 6 pm and Saturday, Mater Dei from Santa Ana, who played Coronado Saturday in the ‘America’s Finest City’ Tournament, returns for a re-match at 6 pm.

Islander Football Dominates Mission Bay 44-19

The Mason Mills Traveling Road Show stopped for a couple of hours at Mission Bay Friday afternoon for a 3 pm kickoff and the Islander senior quarterback ran roughshod over the 2007 CIF Division IV finalists. Mills was 18-23 in pass completions and attempts, good for five touchdowns and 400 total yards. Mills also rushed 13 times for 72 yards and a touchdown.

Coronado had 27 points on the board before the Buccaneers managed their first score. At one point the tally was 37-6 and the Bucs had to score in the last 39 seconds of the game to get to the final score of 44-19.

Mills of course had considerable help and the Englehart Clan, which features senior Keith Englehart and junior Kodie Englehart both were major factors in the victory. Keith caught six passes for three touchdowns and a total of 136 yards, while Kodie snared touchdown passes of 80 and 67 yards. Add in Blake Malkemus with six more catches and 73 yards, you have the passing game firing on all cylinders.

Your Natterer queried Islander Coach Bud Mayfield about the possibility of a sibling rivalry between the Engleharts and the veteran coach replied, “You can believe it. I’m very happy they are both getting black shirts (game MVP honors) this week, so we don’t have that problem.” Last week Englehart the Younger scored three touchdowns and a two-point conversion, and Englehart the Elder was shutout, which undoubtedly made for some interesting dinner conversation. Or perhaps lack thereof.

Father Ken Englehart departs this week for an assignment in Iraq and as Mayfield noted, “They both played well in a big game before he left.”

Mayfield discussed the game turned in by his senior signal caller. “Mason is doing a great job and he is playing like a senior quarterback. He’s getting the ball out quicker (on passes) and he knows the offense well. We’re communicating very well about what we want to accomplish, but it’s early in the season. It won’t be long before they come after him. When we run our version of the shotgun offense, it’s like the old single wing. Sometimes the (quarterback) scramble is a designed play.”

The game also featured a nice kicking effort from Christian Herrera, despite battling a persistent cross wind, consistently placed kickoffs at or near the Mission Bay goal line. Herrera also added a 37-yard field goal in the third quarter, which now establishes the presence of a legitimate kicking threat to the Islander offensive arsenal.

Mayfield discussed some of his approach to the season, which features less size than normal along the offensive and defensive lines. “We’re little and quick this year, and I’m fine with that. Football is a game of foot speed, agility and hustle. This team fits that mold and we have shaped them that way. On offense, there is no one guy they (opponents) can concentrate on. We haven’t untracked the running game and both Chris Page and Keith Englehart can run.”

“I told the kids the keys to the game,” Mayfield continued to say, “which are the same as next week (against Madison) are to win the kicking game, we didn’t want to punt and we also have to have hustle, heart and discipline. We were far better with penalties than Mission Bay was. Another reason we’re successful is that we don’t drop the ball. The passing game is dependent on good catches and throws. Mason gets his eyes downfield and finds somebody. He looks to throw first, which he should and is able to find Kodie and other people. It’s not a dunk offense. We’re going vertical most of the time.”

Senior lineman Tyler Suggett sustained a knee injury early in the Mission Bay game, which required Coronado to rotate sophomores Alex Bookout and Jack Mikesell at defensive end with sophomore Jose Sanchez playing offensive tackle. Add fellow sophomore Austin Copp at right offensive guard and you have a very young line.

Next week the Islanders travel to Madison for a 6:30 pm game with the War Hawks, which may very well decide the Central League crown. “It looks like a shootout,” said Mayfield of the rivalry game. “Their quarterback and running back are the best we will see this year. We’re dead even (both teams sport 3-0 records) with them going into the game. The winner of this game has often gone on to win the championship, but it’s early in the year. They are highly ranked and I expect them to be ranked as the No.2 team in Division IV when we play them Friday.”

Girls Tennis Earns Western League Victory Over University City

On the surface, it doesn’t sound like much that the Coronado Girls Tennis Team defeated University City 10-8 last Thursday. However, it has been eight years since Coronado has earned a victory over a Western League opponent, a fact confirmed by former CHS Head Coach Robbin Adair.

“The hard work is paying off,” said current Coach Rob LeBuhn. “Spencer Berman won all three of her sets at No. 1 singles against University City and at No. 2 singles, Mary Mulvey won two sets. The first doubles team of Kirsten Krock and Jordan Vaughan won two out of three sets and our No. 2 doubles team of Andrea Sassenrath and Natalie Brooks won all three sets. Our third doubles team of Claire Holman and Monica Holman lost all three of their sets in tiebreakers, but they really played well.”

 To make the victory more interesting, No. 1 singles player Jackie Hites and the incumbent No. 1 doubles team of older sister Brittany Hites and Jennifer Carney were all out with injuries.

Earlier in the week, Coronado played Cathedral Catholic, a club that LeBuhn considers to be the strongest in the Western Conference. Unfortunately the Islanders were on the short end of a 17-1 result. Brooks and Sassenrath won a set 6-4 to account for the lone win.

The owners of an overall record of 3-3, the Islanders play at Scripps Ranch Monday and then hit the road again to go to the Academy of Our Lady of Peace Thursday.

Coronado Girls Volleyball Off To 2-0 Eastern League Start

The Islander Girls Volleyball Team earned plenty of game experience last week, which was divided between Eastern League play in matches that featured Serra and San Diego High Schools, and playing in the Beach City Invitational Tournament.

The week started with a 25-15, 25-15, 21-25, and 25-19 road win at Serra. Head Coach Christina Lahr shouldered the ‘blame’ for the third set loss, as she was trying out different lineup configurations. “We recovered well and played well,” Lahr said of her team. “Melissa Humphrey had had an amazing 16 digs during the match, which is unheard of for a setter. And she still had 20 assists. The hits were spread out across the board among the middies Annie Wilson and Rachel Ricker and the two outsides Kori Fitzgerald and Maddie Boomer.”

Thursday San Diego High traveled to Coronado and the home standing Islanders prevailed 25-10, 25-15 and 25-21. “Kori had a good game in terms of digs with 11,” Lahr said. “Melissa had 23 assists and Annie led in kills with eight.”

Over the weekend Coronado was the site of one of the pool play games and later the consolation round bracket play for the Beach City Invitational. Placed in a tough pool with Santa Fe Christian, Horizon of Arizona, and Valhalla, the Islanders didn’t win any matches in pool play. “We didn’t do well in terms of points scored,” said Lahr of the tournament experience, “but we had some really positive experiences in the different games. We played exceptionally well in a couple of games, hanging with teams with taller girls and club players, we actually did very well.”

In consolation bracket play, Coronado earned the No. 4 seed in the eight-team bracket. In the first match, they defeated Horizon of San Diego 25-16 and 25-13. They were then eliminated by Southwest of San Diego in three games 25-18, 23-25 and 15-11.

“Our goal last weekend was to work hard and to have fun,” Lahr continued to say. “There is a balance between putting in hard work, having fun and not torturing them. We need the team to work hard and we’re getting there.”

Monday the team travels to Patrick Henry for an important Eastern League match against one of the teams along with OLP and Coronado that figure to contend for the league crown. Thursday’s game with Morse High School has been re-scheduled as an away match due to construction of new bleachers in the CHS gymnasium, replacing a similar installation that was damaged in a fire last year.

Islander Cross Country Report

CHS Head Cross Country Coach George Green checks in with an update on his teams’ activities last week. “So far this season we've been to five invitational meets, but all of the girls have yet to run as a team in the same race.  When this finally happens they'll surprise a lot of people and be ranked pretty high in San Diego County. 

Last Friday, because they ran at the Woodbridge Invitational the previous week and were training through, or had other commitments, four of our top runners, Sallie Privett, Adie Davies, Solena Schmeck, and Nicole Davies skipped the South Bay Invitational at Rohr Park last Friday. The two varsity runners that did compete did very well with sophomore Annie Lovering finishing second overall, only nine seconds back from the winner in 15:54 over the Rohr Park 2.5-mile girls' course.  She was followed by fellow sophomore Sadie Gimber in 15^th with a time of 16:44. Laruen Ribant, Coco O'Brien and Yvonne Wood were in close pursuit.

In the Boy's varsity 5-kilometer race, David Grimes placed 28^th in 17:21 followed by Sean O'Brien in 18:44. The rest of the Coronado squad including Andrew Centeno, Cotter Stacy, Will Funk, Gabe Salvatierra, Nate Hoffmann, and Dalton Chase performed well.”

Alumni Report

Ben Enowitz, who was the CHS Class of 2008 valedictorian and a fine distance runner for the Islanders in both cross country and track for four seasons, matriculated to Harvard this fall. To no one’s surprise, he is doing well for the Crimson during the fall cross country season. Enowitz is the third ranked runner on the Harvard squad and recently finished fifth in the Harvard-Yale Meet. Ben’s efforts helped propel Harvard to a 21-38 (low score wins) victory over Yale.

Pop Warner Football Update

The improving Coronado Junior Midgets fell to South San Diego 26-0.  However, the score was not indicative of the hard-fought game that was played. The Islander defense, lead by Michael Sappenfield, Nick Vido, Chris Ryan and Jack Foley contributed to two successful goal-line stands.   Tough pressure, penalties and an injury to quarterback Aaron Polk, limited the Junior Midget’s passing game. However, strong runs and blocks by Kevin Fahey and Randy Kaiser combined with runs by Roman Miliotti and Mike Snyder helped established the ground game and made the game exciting until the final buzzer.

The Coronado Pee Wee’s offense dominated the field and fine performances by Spencer Awford, Jack Arbaugh, Tanner Caldwell, Jake Kitchener and Andrew Tausch helped lead the Pee Wee’s to a 30-7 victory over South San Diego. The defensive unit including Ryan Wade, Wyatt Wilson, and Isaac Rodriguez contained the Jaguar's running game.

The Coronado Jr. Pee Wees ran wild in a 27-14 win over the Jaguars of South San Diego.  Quarterback Luke McNary guided the team to four long touchdown drives. The offense mixed in some nice passes from Luke to go with the running game that benefited from some huge holes made by offensive linemen Kyle Anderson, Patrick Wamsley, and Jackson Accetta.  Jack Tobin scored three touchdowns and Braden Seay ran for the other score.  The defense looked like a cement wall for most of the game as the Jaguar running backs were contained by Ian Thorleifson, Thomas Scott, and Cole Larson. In addition, Chris Haas, Hugo Shirey-Villav, and Xander Norman all had nice open field tackles to stop early threats and set the tone for Coronado’s dominant defense.