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The game was nearly two years in the making. Last year's cancelled contest meant that players from Alameda and Encinal had to wait 728 days to face off in the island's crosstown rivalry game. But for many of the 2,000 fans in attendance the 66th Island Bowl was worth the wait.
The Jets defeated the Hornets 41-7 on September 10 at Willie Stargell Field, giving Encinal (2-0) a five-game win streak over rival Alameda (1-2).
For some players, winning the Island Bowl is a lifelong dream.
“I used to come to the field and watch the Island Bowl since 4th grade,” sophomore cornerback Tristan Berena said. “Now being in it, it’s an amazing experience. Did it for my family and brothers.”
Senior quarterback Garrett Deatherage threw for 236 yards and four touchdowns, bringing his season total to 10.
“It feels really good,” Deatherage said. “Feels like the team did what we had to do and everyone brought the energy from the linemen to the receivers."
The Jets opened the scoring when Deatherage found Kenneth Lorenzo in the endzone for a 26 yard strike. Three more touchdown passes to De La O, Lorenzo, and Singleton gave Encinal a 28-0 halftime lead.
"It honestly felt amazing to be in my first and last island bowl," said Encinal tight end Alex De La O. "The fact that I scored a touchdown in it was awesome."
De La O caught a pass off a wheel route and raced 80 yards down the sideline.
Junior receiver Marques Singleton ended any hopes of an Alameda comeback when he took the second half kickoff all the way to the endzone. It was his second return TD of the season.
"We [practice returns] three times a week but everyone gets really hyped when we do a kick return,” Singleton said. “My teammates block really well which makes me really happy.”
Running back Frederick Tyler scored a 20 yard touchdown in the fourth quarter to increase the lead to 41-0. The Hornets finally got on the scoreboard when Alameda quarterback Lee John Majerus ran 35 yards for paydirt.
“It’s disappointing to go out like this,” Majerus said. “The score doesn’t reflect the kind of team we are or how much work we’ve put in to better ourselves.”
Despite Encinal winning 12 of the last 14 games, the fact that the game was even played was a boost for the entire city.
"With the bands performing, cheerleaders dancing, and players competing, a crowd of spectators, and a home football game that has not been played in over two years, we pulled it off and had an absolutely safe and fun event for the entire Alameda community," said Encinal leadership advisor Kevin Gorham. "Last night the real winner was the entire Alameda community."
Alameda leads the Island Bowl series 33-31-2
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Total |
Encinal (2-0) | 6 | 22 | 6 | 7 | 41 |
Alameda (1-2) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
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