KICKING OFF THE GNYFF SEASON

By Robert Balajadia

An inconsistent outing from Mother Nature didn’t slow down the official kick off of the Guam National Youth Fottball Federation/Triple J season as four teams opened up the league with a full Saturday of football action. Four teams faced off with he Angels and Jets battling up north at the Wettengel Field while the Raiders played host to the Giants at their home field in Tiyan.

Matua Raiders Blank Giants

Rain may have dominated the morning, but the sun flexed it’s rays no harder than the 2:30 pm game against the Raiders and Giants where the boys in silver and black managed to shutout the visiting Giants 20-0 behind a great outing from Javon Garrido.

Garrido was instrumental on both sides of the ball and his impact was felt immediately from the Raiders first possession. The Raiders stuffed the Giants opening drive and managed to get the ball in the red zone where Garrido went to work, juking his way to victory around three Giants defenders for the first score of the game.

The Raiders quickly went up 13-0 after quarterback Dylan Parke hit receiver Noah Diaz from 10 yards out after forcing the Giants to fumble on the previous possession.

Giants’ Mason Manglona tries to salvage a pass that is intercepted by Raiders Javon Garrido. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Giants kick returner Jalana Garcia responded immediately on the kick off nearly taking the ball to the house as she sprinted past all the boys before being taken down at the 20-yard line.

The stout Raiders defense didn’t faultier as Garrido picked off Giants quarterback Mark Laanan which prevented a possible big score from for the visiting team.

With players from both sides cramping and subbing out due to some form of injury, the battle tested Raiders managed to get big all-around effort from the entire team as defenses’ Mike Snell punched in a touchdown from nine yards out, subbing in for the injured starters.

Garrido and the Raiders managed to run out the clock in the fourth quarter keeping the ball away form the Giants giving the Matua division squad the opening game win.

“Tomorrow is my coaches birthday so we really wanted to get the win for him,” stated Garrido. The team gave coach Fred Pangelinan an early birthday gift with a big win over the Giants on opening weekend.

Guahan Soldier player of the game Javon Garrido.

Other Division Games

Manha – Raiders 13, Giants 6

Metgot – Raiders 38. Giants 0

The Angels swept the opening series against the Jets.

PHOTO GALLERY:

Raiders Javon Garrido does late game work weaving his way through the Giants defense. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Giants quarterback Mark Laanan gets pressured into a quick throw from the speedy Raiders defense. (photo by Robert Balajadia)