AGUON WRAPS UP 1 YEAR OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL

By Michael Cruz

Guam High 2014 graduate LJ Aguon just completed his first season of football at Southwestern College (SC). Aguon played four years of football at Guam High. He was selected the All Island Offensive MVP and 1^st Team quarterback his junior year. His senior year, Aguon was 2^nd team All-Island QB. Both years, the Panther had winning records and finished in 3^rd place. Aguon was also a starter in basketball, threw discus and javelin in field events. After graduation, LJ decided to stay on Guam and worked. He stayed active by playing basketball with the Island Wolves and was a volunteer football coach with Guam High.

Guam Grind

LJ grew up in San Diego and actually started playing football during middle school before moving back to Guam. The plan was for him was to play for the SC Jaguars. SC is one of 74 junior colleges football programs in California. The schools provide another chance for high school football players to continue as student athletes. After nearly two years off from football, Aguon started practicing again at SC. He tried out for QB his first day and was moved to slot receiver.

The move didn’t effect his ego, because LJ is a football player. He won awards as best receiver at football camps stateside in high school. After putting in repetitions at slot receiver, LJ got to play in the team’s first game where he registered two catches for 9 yards. Next, LJ played in game 3 and had 1 carry for 2 yards and SC won their first game of the season. The team despite winning started to lose players due to injuries and players walking off the team. 

Opportunity Knocks

Aguon almost considered redshirting his first year.

“The first game they rotated me in from being 3rd on depth chart to second. Then last week I was first because the starter got hurt. So hopefully I’ll start in our next game” said Aguon. In game 4, Aguon had 1 catch for 22 yards. Game 5 saw LJ starting on special teams.

“This past weekend I just had my biggest game. I came from not being on special teams to starting kickoff and punt. Then played almost all the of the game at slot receiver.” said Aguon.

He finished with 3 carries for 18 yards and 1 reception for 7 yards. In game 6, LJ had one catch for 11 yards. In game 7, Aguon had his best receiving game of the year with five catches for 58 yards against Mt. San Jacinto. In Game 8, the Jaguars faced the College of the Desert. The team had gone through four QBs and now it needed a 5^th.

Aguon stepped in at QB for the first time since his Guam High days. He finished with 81 yards passing and threw his first collegiate TD pass. It was the highlight moment for the season. The last game of the season, LJ hurt the MCL in his knee. He will not need surgery and will rehab in the offseason. LJ plans to return to Guam for winter break and play again at SC his sophomore year.

An old school photo of  a young Aguon prepping for a youth football game. (courtesy photo)

Question & Answer

MC: Do you think taking the year off benefited you?

LA: I believe it did. Because for me if I came in January I might have not been mature enough mentally for everything you have to take in at the college level. Literally football becomes your life at the college level. Multi-athletes go from multiple dimensions to one dimensional at this level to only having to pick one sport of maybe 3-4 sports they played in high school. So yes I believe so, it also gave me the chance to build a more durable frame for the college level. I came out here at 175lbs then came here and went up to 185lbs. At the college level frame and appearance gives all coaches a good first impression usually.

MC: Did you have to tryout?

LA: Every day is a tryout. Even if you a starter, you’re still trying keep your spot or you get demoted. But really there is no real try outs, no one really gets cut. If my coach feels that he can’t get your rotated he’ll talk to the athlete about redshirting or grey shirting

MC: What are you benching, squatting, and deadlifting now. Is your 40 still about 4.9?

LA: Right now I bench 240lbs, deadlift 235lbs, and squat 320lbs. My 40 got way faster since my hamstring got better. But, I don’t know how much faster.

MC: Saw those HUDL highlights. Guam Bomb?

LA: I just threw something together. Guam Bomb is what I got for playing out here. The guys gave me that name.

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/5404957/highlights/306819557/v2

MC: Any advice for aspiring high school players on Guam wanting to play college football?

LA: Just hope the guys that do plan on playing at the college level understand that it’s more than just fun and games. It’s all about business and getting the job done. So I hope when they get out they’re more focused than ever.

A photo of LJ Aguon in his Southwestern College uniform. (courtesy photo)