By Patrick Lujan
The two top teams in the 2024 Interscholastic Boys High School Football League will battle it out for championship after taking care of business in the semifinals Monday afternoon.
The top-ranked JFK Islanders eliminated the tough Southern Dolphins (#5) 3-1, while the 2nd-ranked FD Friars fought off the St. John’s Knights (#3) 2-0.
Both teams, which played to a 2-2 draw in the regular season, are the defending champions of the split leagues last year. It is only appropriate that they battle it out for the combined league title.
On Monday, both semifinal matches went on simultaneously at the GFA Fields.
JFK FIGHTS OFF SOUTHERN
The #1 ranked Islanders had to come from behind to advance as the feisty Dolphins scored first in the 15th minute on a shot from Landon Castro.
JFK leader C.J. Sablan scored 10 minutes later on a corner kick, assisted by his brother, Cole Sablan.
The Islanders took control in the second half as Landen Cruz’s goal put JFK ahead in the 60th minute.
David San Agustin capped off the scoring in the 75th minute assisted by Gage Cruz from the right wing.
It was a good run for the Dolphins, who had a challenging season. With no access to the school field, the Dolphins had to practice either in the school cafeteria or the Santa Rita Baseball Field.
FD BLANKS ST. JOHN’S
Meanwhile on the other field just yards away, the Friars and Knights battled it out in a physical game as both goals came in the last 10 minutes of the match.
Hyunwoo Kim scored the first goal and Beau Perez followed that up with the insurance.
CHAMPIONSHIP SATURDAY
The championship showdown is this Saturday at 3:30 pm at the GFA Field.
“We drew the first time we met at JFK, and we expect to have another tough match against a talented FD team,” JFK head coach Patson Haimin said.
“Both teams play good football and they are coached well,” FD head coach Keith Dickson said. “We need keep possession and play our style of football. We need to prevent them from controlling the pace of game, and we need to convert our chances.”
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