GECKOS EXPLODE FOR THREE SCORES IN 4TH

By Robert Balajadia

The GW Geckos have become the most dangerous 4th quarter team.

The Geckos extended their dominant streak to five games after exploding for three touchdowns in the games final quarter against the FD Friars to take it 19-0 on a rainy night of football at the Hal’s Angels Field in Dededo. The Friars four-game hot streak (4-2) came to a screeching halt at the hands of a Gecko defense that was prepared for FD’s dangerous run game.

“We knew they are a running team, but our team came out soft thinking that ‘we’re good’ just because we’re undefeated. I told them that we can’t come out and think that our opponents are soft and that we have to face everyone like they are our toughest opponents,” said Hocog on the strong defensive out from the Geckos.

Hocog recorded 12 tackles, including two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

The offensive explosion was courtesy of receiver Adrian Cruz, who took a swing pass from quarterback Brendan Santos 63 yards for the games first touchdown to go up 6-0 after a failed PAT.

“We came out flat, but after that big play, we all got hyped and that’s what helps our offense get moving. We always try to come out strong in the beginning, but sometimes it doesn’t [work out]. We always know though that 4th quarter is Gecko football and it all really matters how we play in the end,” said Cruz on the slow start.

The Friars were trying to rally the offense on the following offensive possession, but Hocog had other plans as he wrestled down Friars quarterback Jujuan King, stripping the ball and recovering it at the same time to give the Geckos back the ball inside the FD 40-yard line.

A couple of big runs by Hank Sablan and Joseph Sanchez put the Geckos just 10 yards out before Santos and Cruz would hook up once again, but this time in spectacular fashion.

Santos drew the ball on a play action and lobbed a pass to Cruz who was fading away in the end zone. Friars defensive back Christopher Kawili played the route perfectly by jumping in to try and intercept the ball, but Kawili’s efforts took an unfortunate bounce as his missed interception went straight behind him into the hands of the ever ready Cruz for a 10-yard score.

FD QB Juan King airs out a pass towards the sideline against GW. (photo by Joey Blas)

“I always wait for the [deflection],” said Cruz on the bounce. “It was muddy tonight and the ball was wet so I just waited in the back and did my best to catch it, which I did,” said Cruz on the catch.

Cruz finished with five catches for 78 yards.

FD then turned to King to move the ball downfield though the Gecko defense was ready for the pass. Cornerback Tovin Mesa played perfect man-to-man coverage on receiver Devin Sudo as King tried to throw Sudo open, but Mesa reacted instantly, turning around just in time to haul in the interception, King’s second of the game.

With less than four minutes to go in the game the Geckos let their running game chew out the clock with Jeffery Garcia scoring the final touchdown to put FD away.

Hocog stripped the ball away from the Friars again giving GW the ball back to kneel out the rest of the game clock.

FD’s dangerous backfield was held to just 50 yards, 41 coming from De’Aundre Cruz, the lowest total from the Friars all season.

The Friar defense played strong through three and a half quarters led by defensive tackle Jean-Pierre Aflague and Frankie Tenorio who had eight tackles each. Geckos Damon Hocog was the second leading tackler for the Geckos with five tackles to go along with

“I’ve told these guys that winning a championship is the best feeling in the world,” said Kelvin Hocog who was part of the championship team who won it his freshman year. “Losing the title in my sophomore and junior year has just made me and my teammates who suffered those losses too even hungrier for the title.”his older brother Kelvin.

The playoffs will get underway next weekend with GW securing a first round bye.

GW is on pace to finish the regular season undefeated with one possible game still left on their schedule. The season opener against the Okkodo Bulldogs was rained out and the when and if the game will be played has yet to be decided. The playoffs could be pushed back another week.

More information on if the game will be played will be announced on GSPN’s Facebook AND updated in this story…

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

FD’s De’Aundre Cruz takes the handoff up the middle for a gain of 5 yards while Geckos Kelvin Hocog gives chase. (photo by Joey Blas)

GW trio WR (24) Adrian Cruz, QB (10) Brendan Santos, LB (42) Kelvin Hocog. (photo by Joey Blas)

GW’s Jeffrey Garcia finds a big hole for the 10 yard TD run. (photo by Joey Blas)