The Coronado Islanders will kick off their 2024 football season on August 23 at Coronado High School against Hilltop High School, looking to improve from their 3-8 record last year.

After a promising 3-3 start to the 2023 campaign, the Islanders dropped a nail biter to Crawford High School 28-27, and then proceeded to lose the final four games of the season. 

The 2024 edition of Islanders football will begin the season ranked No. 787 in the state of California and No. 66 in the San Diego City Section.

Head Coach Kurt Hines said that despite losing key contributors from a season ago, such as quarterback/running back/ free safety Graham Bower, who led the team in total touchdowns and tackles-per-game, he is ready for the season to start up already. 

“I’m more amped up for this season than I have been for the last 27 years I’ve coached high school football,” Hines said. “Offensively and defensively, we are always evolving to fit our personnel.” 

Returning talent

Adapting to make up for missing production will be a key to the success of the team this year, but the Islanders are not a team without impactful returning talent.

Among the leaders: senior quarterback RJ Sanchez, senior running back/inside linebacker Landon Sutherland and senior defensive end Cable Fledderjohn.

RJ Sanchez jogs off the field in a game in 2023. Photo courtesy of Kelly Moore

Fledderjohn led the team in sacks last season (7.5), while Sanchez was second on the team in pass attempts (60) and passing yards (210). Sutherland was the team’s second leading rusher (372 yards) and fourth leading tackler (50). 

Landon Sutherland leaves the huddle during a game. Photo courtesy of Kelly Moore

Younger returning players such as junior linebacker Benny Roberts and junior defensive tackle Walter Hardy will provide additional experience on the defensive side of the ball, where Hines said this team looks to wreak havoc. 

“Defensively, we fly to the ball and try to create chaos and turnovers at every opportunity we have,” Hines said. 

Although the talent on this year’s squad has flown somewhat under the radar so far, at least in terms of collegiate interest, Hines is confident his guys just need the chance to show what they can do. 

“No one with any offers yet, but that will change,” he said. 

As the season inches closer and summer ball wraps up, Kurt Hines said he’s pushing the Islanders to live out a culture summarized in four words: 

“Relentlessly committed servant leaders.” 

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Cade Cavin is a part-time reporter for The Coronado News. He was born in Poway, CA, but has lived in Escondido, CA, Basking Ridge, NJ, Durham, England, and Santa Clarita, CA. He will primarily be covering sports across Coronado and San Diego, but occasionally may work on other beats. He is currently in his second semester of his junior year at Point Loma Nazarene University with a double major in Business Administration and Multimedia Journalism with a focus in writing. As of right now, he is planning on taking the LSAT this summer with the goal of attending law school after undergrad. A fun fact about him is that he's been to 36 states and 12 countries.