
By Robert Balajadia
The GW Geckos have proven year after year that they are never out of a football game and nothing proved that more than their epic comeback victory while down 20-0 in the 4th quarter against the Guam High Panthers to advance to the championship game.
Helping lead the charge was defensive stud Kelvin Hocog, who is back and ready to lead the stingy GW defense to another strong season.
The Geckos have lost a bunch of All Island talent, but have kept a lot of players as well which has given head coach, and legend to the game of football on Guam, Ryan Rios a lot to work with. The previous years Rios has been focused on rebuilding though his unit in 2014 will be instead focused on winning.
“We have a lot of experience, but our experience from the past two years we can’t count anyone out because David can beat Goliath,” stated Rios.
Key Returnees
Kelvin Hocog (All Island 1st Team Linebacker)
Jacob Bamba (All Island Nose Guard)
Brandon Santos (returning quarterback)
Key Losses
Hank Sablan
Kyle Alvarez
Anselmo Untalan
GW’s offense will rely on Santos with the departure Hank Sablan, who was the steady offensive threat for GW. Sablan’s performance granted him top honors as the 1s team utility player, though Hocog’s ability to play multiple positions on the field still makes the Geckos a dangerous group.
While keeping their coaching core intact, the addition of Derrick Santos to help coach the quarterbacks will only heighten what the Geckos are looking to do offensively.
Number of players has proven to be one of the stronger assets from GW each year and with the school year just starting, Rios expects to see a handful more walk on to try and suit up in purple and gold.
“Since the school year starts this week I do expect at least 10-15 more players to come out and if they are good I’ll take them,” chuckled Rios.
Coaches have continued to credit the youth football programs on Guam and the longtime player and coach knows first hand just how much easier it is to build a team with a bulk coming from the GNYFF.
“The youth league has helped the kids understand the game. They know the feel of the game and just need a little fine tuning, but the game knowledge is key and them being in youth leagues have really helped with that,” said Rios.
GW opens action up north as they face off against a newly vamped Okkodo Bulldogs squad.


GPS Sports Calendar
March 2023
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for February
28th
Events for March
2nd
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL FINALS
Events for March
3rd
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
ISA GIRLS SOCCER FINALS
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL FINALS
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL FINALS
Events for March
4th
35th RAINBOWS FOR ALL CHILDREN 3.5 MILER
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE FINALS
Events for March
5th
MONSTER ENERGY MOTOCROSS ROUND 3
Events for March
5th
Events for March
6th
Events for March
7th
Events for March
9th
Events for March
11th
GSPN PRESEASON BOYS VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT DAY 1
Bank of Guam Block Party 5K
Events for March
12th
Events for March
13th
Events for March
14th
Events for March
15th
Events for March
17th
World Athletics Indoor Championships
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Events for March
18th
PAY-LESS KICK THE FAT 5K/10K
World Athletics Indoor Championships
Events for March
19th
Events for March
21st
Events for March
25th
MARIANAS OPEN PRO JAPAN TOURNAMENT
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Events for March
26th
MONSTER ENERGY MOTOCROSS ROUND 4
Events for March
28th
ISA GIRLS SOFTBALL
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Events for March
30th
ISA GIRLS SOFTBALL
IIAAG GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Events for March
31st
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

Jiu-Jitsu
ATOS BRINGS BACK 44 MEDALS FROM JAPAN

Volleyball
TIYAN DROPS SET FOR FIRST TIME IN TWO YEARS

MMA/Boxing
BENAVENTE BRINGS RARE SKILL TO FIGHT GAME

MMA/Boxing
BENAVENTE BRINGS RARE SKILL TO FIGHT GAME

Volleyball
EAGLES HOLD OFF WARRIORS IN 5 SETS

Jiu-Jitsu
MARIANAS OPEN TO TAKE OVER TOKYO
COMING SOON …
- 4th Quarter Sports
QUICK HITS
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Guam MTB National Championship: Edward Oingerang and Jennifer Camacho are your 2023 MTB national champions. Oingerang finished the course in 1:13:24 while Camacho won her second straight title in 54:08.