Islanders win in playoffs, move on to conference title game
Pacifica will now prepare for the NFC championship
versus the Central Coast Barnstormers

Islanders WR Obioma Ngumezi (#6) leaps to catch a touchdown pass in the endzone, as the Islanders scored 33 second-half points in a 36-13 comeback victory against the Nor-Cal Lawmen in the 1st round of the NCFL playoffs. Photo by Bryan Tan/PACIFICA ISLANDERS

Pacifica, Ca. - In what turned out to be a tale of two halves, the Islanders go on to defeat the Nor-Cal Lawmen 36-13 in the opening round of the NCFL playoffs.

Pacifica would score the first points of the game on a 30 yard field goal from kicker Colby Cason putting them up 3-0. Those 3 points from Cason would turn out to be the only points the Islanders would score in the first half.

The Nor-Cal Lawmen definitely brought their A game to Terra Nova and it showed during the first period. Quarterback Scott Burke was feeling the pressure from their defense, being hurried on most of the Islanders offensive plays. The Islanders who were missing their two starting running backs (Jarmar Julian & Jason Harrison) due to injury were also having trouble getting the running game moving.

The Islanders lead would not last long as the Lawmen were able to connect on two huge touchdown passes. The first being a 60 yard bomb to a Nor-Cal wide receiver down the left sidelines on what appeared to be a blown coverage putting the score at 7-3.

The game remained 7-3 with under two minutes left in the half when the Lawmen connected on another touchdown that was actually deflected by Islander defensive back Jabali Miller. Nor-Cal missed the extra point, setting the score at 13-3 going into the half time intermission.

The Islanders who are known for being a second half team definitely lived up to their reputation, scoring 33 unanswered points in the 3rd & 4th quarters. On the Islanders first drive of the second half QB Scott Burke connected with Obioma Ngumezi for a 40 yard reception down to the Lawmen’s 3 yard line. Burke would run the ball into the end zone on the next play, making the score 13-9. The Lawmen’s offense was then effectively shutdown as Pacifca’s defense would pin them deep in their own territory. Nor-Cal was forced to punt from their own 10 yard line. Pacifca’s Jerrell Hardy blocked the punt setting up another QB sneak from Burke, thus making the score 16-13 Pacifica. That play earned Jerrell the special team’s player of the game and quickly changed the games momentum.

Pacifica then took the game over by completely dominating in all three phases of the game. Defense and special teams created numerous turnovers and Pacifca’s offense began moving the ball at will. Pacifca would go on to score 3 more touchdowns in the second half.

The Islanders will now face the #2 seed Central Coast Barnstormers for the NFC conference championship. The Barnstormers defeated the Bay Area Buccaneers 31-25 in their first playoff game. The game is set for June 6th with a 2:00pm kickoff and is being played at City College of San Francisco located at 50 Phelan Ave, San Francisco.

The Islanders would like to remind everyone that they are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and will donate all proceeds to local youth sports organizations. Please come support your local team and help them in their quest for another National Championship.