GECKOS OUTLAST PANTHERS IN 4TH

By Robert Balajadia

The undefeated GW Geckos (4-0) had to use a big scoring fourth quarter to get over the Guam High Panthers (0-5) Friday night with GW getting the 21-7 win at the Panther field in high school football action.

Guam High was staring down a 7-0 deficit early in the fourth quarter after two unsuccessful runs stuffed them in the backfield at their own eight yard line. Quarterback Keith “Trip” Chauret then hit receiver Luis Harris as Harris was making a curl route on the left side of the field, breaking two Gecko tackles in the process on his way to a 92-yard touchdown to tie the game 7-7.

Then the ugly happened.

The Geckos were returning the kick following the Panther touchdown when the Gecko returner and Panther tackler ended up fighting for the ball after the whistle signalled the play dead, which sparked other members of both teams to react as GW was hit with two unsportsmanlike-conduct penalties to the Panthers one unsportmanlike-conduct penalty.

“Both coaches had agreed on the play that both players involved were going for the ball. It was a tight-knit game and both players were fighting for possession, so that’s what triggered it. Both teams were working hard this week to come out winners and the competitive side just took over,” explained GW head coach Ryan Rios on the altercation.

“There were just bad vibes in the beginning,” said Geckos leading running back Hank Sablan. “During the start of the game there were some late hits from them and I guess my teammates just got fed up with it, and they kept doing it.”

The small altercation between the two teams ultimately ended with two Geckos getting ejected, though it did raise the morale of the team offensively which was in an offensive funk after the first quarter.

The Geckos ran the ball repeatedly with Sablan and Isaiah Tydingco on the drive all the way down to the 30-yard line where the Panthers would get flagged for a horse collar tackle penalty allowing Sablan to give the Geckos the lead with a five-yard touchdown run, and Tevin Santos PAT to go up 14-7.

GW QB Brendan Santos takes a hit and tries to add more yards towards the goal line. (photo by Joey Blas)

Guam High made a quarterback switch, going with usual starter Kaimana Bamba on the following drive. It wouldn’t end well as Bamba tried to lay one out for Harris with Geckos defensive back Tovin Mesa reading the throw the entire way, picking off Bamba near midfield for a short return.

Another Panthers unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty gave GW more yardage on their offensive possession, leading to a 19- yard score from running back Joseph Sanchez to go up 21-7 after the Santos PAT.

The Geckos managed to put up the games first points in the first quarter with Sablan punching in a goal line possession. Gecko quarterback Brendan Santos nearly came away with two touchdown passes in the first half though yellow flags called back each potential score.

For the past two seasons the GW Geckos were the underdogs, going up against the higher seeded Panthers. This year the roles are reversed though the end result was the same.

The Geckos will play against the FD Friars next weekend with FD riding a three-game win streak. As far as preparation for that game goes, Rios gave hints that practice with his team Monday will be all too familiar.

“I’m grounding my team,” as Rios smiled. “I don’t care about basics, we’re going to hit the ground and run it, run it, and run it.”

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Panthers running back Kelvin Bazan takes the handoff and runs up the middle for a ten yard run for the first down. (photo by Joey Blas)

Panthers Juan King makes a quick pass towards the sideline for a gain of 5 yards on the play. (photo by Joey Blas)

Guam High Lewis Harris makes a nice attempt to pick off a pass intended for GW wide receiver Adrian Cruz. (photo by Joey Blas)

GW Raymond Macias and Guam High Calvin Harmon go up and battle for a ball thrown towards the sideline.

Guam High Juan King tries to break away after being stopped in the backfield. (photo by Joey Blas)

GW Isaiah Tydingco runs towards the sideline to the 50 yard line for he first down. (photo by Joey Blas)

GW Jacob Bamba tackles Panthers running back in the back field for a loss of 6 yards. (photo by joey Blas)

GW Hank Sablan finds a big hole in the panthers defense and takes it to the house to the geckos on the board. (photo by Joey Blas)