BULLDOGS GET DEFENSIVE AGAINST DOLPHINS

By Robert Balajadia

After an absent offensive outing form both the Okkodo Bulldogs and Southern Dolphins the first half, the Bulldogs’ defense helped give life to their designated point scorers while shutting down the Dolphins in the process, grinding out a 13-0 win at the Southern field Saturday afternoon.

Punts ruled the first half of the game with credit going to the defense of both sides. The Bulldogs missed a chance to put up points from 27 yards out after a failed field goal attempt.

With the score still knotted at 0 each, Okkodo fell back on their defense early in the third quarter which translated into the first points of the team, breaking the dry spell as the sun’s unforgiving heat glared on.

Defensive back Mark Lao made a great break on an overthrown pass to pick off Dolphins’ quarterback Gaven Leon Guerrero near midfield and return it to the Dolphins’ 40-yard line.

“We’ve been working hard on offense and defense since loosing our first game. My coach always tells me to stay in front of the receiver and watch out for the pass,” said Lao on his ability to make the plays on defense.

Okkodo got big runs from back Dylan Aguon and Angel Chiguina which set up a goal line situation after a late hit penalty call on Southern to get the Bulldogs at the 2-yard line. Running back Ryan Palacios then plowed his way through the line for the games first score, going up 6-0.

“No matter what the score is at half-time, we’re always going to play like it’s 0-0. I feel good about my team, and no matter who makes a play we are one team and move together as a team,” said Chiguina.

Bulldog’s running back Angel Chiguina finds space to run through the crowded Southern defense. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

The speed of the Bulldog defense and missed blocking of the Dolphins led to a costly 4th down punt on the following drive. Dolphins punter Napu Topasna took the long snap but immediately saw his window close forcing him to try and scramble in the backfield until a swarm of Bulldogs pounced on him to force the turnover on downs.

Chiguina got loose for an 11-yard run which allowed teammate D’Andre Pizzaro to punch it in for another six points while going up 13-0 after the successful PAT from Aiden Ferrara to end the third quarter.

Southern started to find their offense after starting the 4th quarter on their own 30 as Kamron Prewett-Tenorio hurdled his way over a Bulldog defender for a first down, while then completing a 20-yard pass to teammate Vandrew Naputi.

The Bulldogs then stuffed two runs by Tenorio and a 3rd down pass attempt to Naputi to set up a 4th and short. With Tenorio looking to hit his receiver in the flats, Bulldogs’ Jesse Carl Cruz made a perfect jump on the route but could not secure the catch resulting in a turnover on downs instead of what was setting up to be a defensive touchdown for Cruz and the Bulldogs.

Bulldogs quarterback Jose DeLeon Guerrero then helped chew away the clock by completing passes to Chiguina which got the Bulldogs to the Dolphins 35-yard line with under four minutes left in the game.

Dolphins’ Kamron Prewett-Tenorio tries to run the ball out of the backfield. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

DeLeon Guerrero tried to keep the arial attack going, but Topasna read the route on DeLeon Guerrero’s throw along the left side line, picking him off at the 15 to give the Dolphins a chance to avoid the shutout.

Tenorio attempted a deep pass to one of his teammates, but the only person waiting for him was Lao who came away for his second interception which led to the eventual 13-0 score.

The Dolphins lose yet another close game after nearly coming way with wins over two of the top teams in the league in the Sanchez Sharks and GW Geckos in the past two weeks.

“Southern is not a push over team. It feels good to come out and do what we did against a team like Southern, but we’re already looking forward to our next game. Southern is a real good team and they have a lot of talent,” said head coach Ken Cruz.

This was the first shutout of the IIAAG football season and it came from a Bulldog squad just looking to shake off a slow start to the season, but their good outing against the Dolphins isn’t going to resonate with them or with coach Cruz.

“We adjusted from last weeks game and in our attitude. Our defense stepped up for us and our offense did their job.”

Other Game

JFK 20, Sanchez 6 – Final

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

 

Dolphins’ receiver Vandrew Naputi kneels down to get the pass for a 20-yard gain. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Bulldogs’ Ryan Palacios gets the first score of the game on a short run. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Bulldog’s running back Angel Chiguina finds space to run through the crowded Southern defense. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Bulldogs Leeray Zapatos escapes a sack from Dolphins’ Tyler Topasna. (photo by Robert Balajadia)