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By Michael J.A. Nauta Jr.
With the Wettengel Rugby Field filled with tons of spectators and rugby student-athletes it was obvious that yesterday marked the opening day of action in the IIAAG/GRFU High School Rugby Season. Four different divisions took to the field with 27 total games played throughout the day.
In the first of three Boys Varsity matches scheduled, the John F. Kennedy Islanders went to battle against the George Washington Geckos. The two teams didn’t disappoint as each provided the crowd with an exciting game. However, only one team could walk away with a season-opening victory and when the final whistle was blown it was the Geckos who downed their opponents 21-14.
“This was a pretty exciting and intense first game of the season,” said JFK’s Kyle Thomas Perez. “Although we would’ve like to have earned a win, it didn’t happen for us and that’s because we played a very tough and respected GW team. They did an excellent job and their defense was tough all game long.”
The two teams wasted no time making a statement, as it was all hard-hitting from the get-go. JFK had the game’s first possession and looked to put points on the board early on. However, a strong purple and gold defense denied any chances. Five minutes into the opening-half, GW’s Jacob Bamba scored the game’s first try after taking advantage of a possession won out of a scrum. Not too long after, teammate Tevin Santos converted a kick making it a 7-0 game.
“Our team has a lot of heart and we play with mental and physical toughness,” said Bamba. “Scoring the first try of the season for our team only proves what we can do when we work together.”
As the game progressed on, the Islanders continued to find ways to score but to no avail. Turnovers became a huge factor for JFK as the Geckos capitalized and eventually built a 21-0 lead with less than two minutes to go in the half. With the clock winding down and both teams in their sixth scrum of the half, the Geckos were able to win possession. However, that was short-lived as an attempt to kick the ball downfield found it’s way directly into the hands of JFK’s Perez. Using his lightning speed, Perez travelled nearly three-quarters of the field to end the Islanders’ scoring drought. A made conversion sent both teams into halftime with the score reflecting 21-7.
“I was in the right place at the right time,” said Perez. “The second I got possession of the kick I just told myself to use your speed and get that score.”
Second-half action witnessed both teams coming out much tougher on defense, as neither was able to produce anything in the first five minutes. The Geckos found themselves at the five-meter line and ready to tack on more points later in the half. However, the JFK defense held and forced a turnover. Working their way downfield, the Islanders made perfect use of the possession and pulled within seven after Joshua Songsong made his way to the try line.
With less than three minutes left in the game, the Geckos wanted to score in hopes of sealing the deal, while the Islanders searched for the equalizer. Time eventually played in favor of the Geckos as the final whistle blew to preserve the seven-point lead for the victory.
“We played a good JFK team and they gave us lots to think about after they scored in the second-half,” said Bamba. “It just came down to us keeping focus and continuing to smash, smash, smash.”
IIAAG/GRFU High School Rugby League action resumes next week Saturday with games beginning at 8am at the Okkodo High School Field. The Geckos are set to take on the Southern High Dolphins at 3pm, while the Islanders varsity have a bye weekend.
OTHER RESULTS
- GW Geckos defeated SSHS Sharks 19-0 (Girls Varsity Tackle)
- Notre Dame Royals defeated Guam High Panthers 19-0 (Girls Varsity Tackle)
- Okkodo Bulldogs defeated Southern Dolphins 14-5 (Girls Varsity Tackle)
- AOLG Cougars defeated JFK Islanders 19-5 (Girls Varsity Tackle)
- GW Geckos defeated Guam High Panthers 40-0 (Girls Varsity Tackle)
- SSHS Sharks defeated Okkodo Bulldogs 5-0 (Girls Varsity Tackle)
- AOLG Cougars defeated Notre Dame Royals 26-0 (Girls Varsity Tackle)
- Southern Dolphins defeated JFK Islanders 19-5 (Girls Varsity Tackle)
- GW Geckos defeated Okkodo 17-0 (Girls Varsity Tackle)
- AOLG Cougars defeated Guam High Panthers 35-0 (Girls Varsity Tackle)
- SSHS Sharks defeated GW Geckos 14-0 (Girls JV Tackle)
- Notre Dame Royals defeated Guam High Panthers 15-0 (Girls JV Tackle)
- Okkodo Bulldogs defeated Southern Dolphins 14-5 (Girls JV Tackle)
- AOLG Cougars defeated JFK Islanders 36-0 (Girls JV Tackle)
- GW Geckos defeated Guam High Panthers 17-0 (Girls JV Tackle)
- Okkodo Bulldogs defeated SSHS Sharks 24-5 (Girls JV Tackle)
- AOLG Cougars defeated Notre Dame Royals 7-5 (Girls JV Tackle)
- JFK Islanders tie Southern Dolphins 5-5 (Girls JV Tackle)
- Okkodo Bulldogs defeated GW Geckos 15-10 (Girls JV Tackle)
- AOLG Cougars defeated Guam High Panthers 17-0 (Girls JV Tackle)


GPS Sports Calendar
February 2023
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for January
1st
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
2nd
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
Events for February
3rd
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
TRITONS BASEBALL INVITATIONAL PLAYOFFS
Events for February
4th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
Events for February
6th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
7th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
8th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
9th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
Events for February
10th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
TRITONS BASEBALL INVITATIONAL FINALS
Events for February
12th
MONSTER ENERGY MOTOCROSS ROUND 2
Events for February
13th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
14th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
15th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
Events for February
16th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
Events for February
17th
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
Events for February
18th
BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2K/5K
World Athletics Cross Country Championships
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
Events for February
20th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
21st
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
22nd
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
23rd
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
Events for February
24th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL QUARTERFINALS
Events for February
24th
Events for February
25th
Events for February
27th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER SEMIFINALS
Events for February
28th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL FINALS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE SEMIFINALS
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS

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