GW TOPS HOMECOMING WITH WIN

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By Robert Balajadia

GW Geckos’ Adrian Cruz eyes the incoming defender OKD Bulldog Jacob Sanchez. (photo by Jesse Castro)

What appeared to be a high scoring game between the GW Geckos and Okkodo Bulldogs, after an early first quarter score by GW followed by a big kick off return from Okkodo, turned out to be quite the opposite with the Geckos getting the 13-6 win over the Bulldogs during GW’s homecoming Friday night.

Geckos Hank Sablan opened up GW’s opening drive with a 19-yard touchdown pass to receiver Calvin Valentine to quickly go up 7-0 after a successful PAT. The next three-and-a-half quarters were tough on the fans as both teams had difficulty sustaining drives. Fumbles, interceptions, and penalties seemed to take control of the rest of the first, second and third quarters.

The only thing that seemed to get either fans off their seats was during the teams’ cheerleaders halftime show, the overall celebration of the homecoming events, and the giving away of t-shirts after every timeout. “There was a little miscommunication and there are things we need to work on with our young team. I had to pick them up, we’re young and we’re still striving,” stated Sablan on the Geckos’ offensive troubles.

GW Geckos’ Hank Sablan McDonald’s Player of the Game. (photo by Jesse Castro)

GW then picked up the pace early in the fourth quarter as Sablan moved from quarterback to half back as Gerard Cruz came in as the signal caller for the offense. The Gecko run game got a spark from Kelvin Hocog on the opening fourth quarter drive, who got his team a big first down by running past the entire Bulldog front seven for 13 yards.

Sablan capped off Hocog’s gainer with a 15-yard touchdown run up the middle of the Bulldog offense once again to put the Geckos up 13-0. Sablan never forgets to credit his offensive line, as good running backs often do, saying,”If it wasn’t for those guys upfront then I wouldn’t have been able to score. We needed another touchdown to get ahead and my coaches were expecting me to do it. I stayed humble and just pulled through. Our defense really held it together.”

Okkodo got into the red zone for the fourth time late in the fourth quarter and got a much needed touchdown run from Rodney Tomagan to trim the Gecko lead to a single possession, 13-6. The Bulldogs then had the tough task of stopping the Geckos offense to try and get the ball back with less than a minute to play in the game. GW managed to run the ball near the Bulldog 20-yard line, but turned it over at the 11-second mark to give the Bulldogs one last shot. Bulldogs quarterback Leeray Zapatos tried to throw a ‘Hail Mary’ pass to one of his receivers, but was picked off for the second time by the Geckos secondary to end the game.

The Geckos snap a two-game losing streak and improve to 2-2 while the struggling Bulldogs have yet to win a game at 0-4.

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

GW Geckos defenders Bo Santos and Anselmo Untalan attempt to intercept the ball from intended receiver OKD Bulldog Ryan Palacious. (photo by Jesse Castro)

OKD Bulldog Angel Deleon Guerrero intercepts the ball from intended receiver GW Geckos’ Adrian Cruz. (photo by Jesse Castro)

Team captains from the GW Geckos and the OKD Bulldogs meet in the middle of the field for the coin toss. (photo by Jesse Castro)

OKD Bulldog Ryan Palacios gains another 5 yards for his team. (photo by Jesse Castro)

GW Geckos’ quarterback Hank Sablan targets his receiver for a long pass deep into Bulldog territory. (photo by Jesse Castro)

GW Geckos’ quarterback Hank Sablan hands the ball off to his running back who takes the ball into Bulldogs territory. (photo by Jesse Castro)

GW Geckos’ 43 makes the tackle on OKD Bulldog Angel Deleon Guerrero as he tries to gain yards. (photo by Jesse Castro)

OKD Bulldog Kristian Sadorra breaks through the GW Geckos defensive line for a 5 yard run. (photo by Jesse Castro)

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