By Jay Leon Guerrero

The GW Geckos had another solid game on both offense and defense to remain undefeated at 6-0 after defeating the Guam High Panthers 18-0. The rain held off for at least one half under Friday Night Lights at the GW Field before pouring hard after halftime.

Gecko head coach Ryan Rios got production from his upperclassmen with his offense moving the chains and his defense holding off a talented Panther backfield. Gecko quarterback Brendan Santos rushed for a touchdown and completed 6 passes for 62 yards while running back Ryan Quitugua rushed for 82 yards on offense.

Damon Hocog solidified his defensive MVP chances with another solid game which included 3 tackles for losses and 1 sack, Mason Pangelinan also had a sack and scored a touchdown from a fumble for the Geckos.

“It feels good to be 6-0 but we have a very important game coming up against a very good team. We are going to prepare for them like every other team, just run hard and execute in practice,” said Santos.

Both teams unable to score in the first quarter

Both offenses had trouble with the wet field and were unable to make big plays in the opening quarter. The Geckos finally broke the ice with Quitugua helping the home team move the chains following his blockers for a huge gain to end the first quarter. On the first play of the second quarter, GW running back J-One Weires dove into the end zone from 7-yards out to put GW up 6-0 after a failed Gecko PAT.

The Gecko defense frustrated the Panther runners recording two tackles for losses with Hocog recording two tackles behind the line of scrimmage and Mason Pangelinan getting a sack forcing the Panthers to punt.

Quitugua continued to elude the Panther tacklers, getting a huge 33-yard run with less that four minutes remaining before halftime. His run set up a quarterback sneak with Santos running into the end zone unscathed from 10-yards out for the 12-0 score. The extra point attempt was blocked by the Panthers’ Trip Chauret.

Geckos Brendan Santos was awarded the Wendy’s Player of the game honors for producing tochdowns for the Geckos.

Panthers look to score before halftime

The Panthers marched into Gecko territory with less than a minute remaining before halftime. Panther QB Jujuan King connected with receiver Xavier Richardson for an 11-yard gain for a first down and Chauret dodged two Gecko defenders two plays later for another first down.

But time was ticking for the Panthers and they went for a big play to receiver Makoa Bamba but the pass was batted down by Gecko cornerback David Cruz to end the first half with them trailing 12-0.

Second half

The Geckos looked to score on their first possession in the third quarter. Quitugua continued to press forward for yardage and Santos found two different receivers to find themselves on the Panther 5-yard line. The Geckos were held off by a stingy Panther defense on four downs and gave the ball back to the Panthers after a failed fourth down attempt.

On the ensuing play, Panther quarterback fumbled a wet football in his end zone as he looked to draw back for a pass and the Geckos’ Pangelinan recovered the fumble for the defensive touchdown.

The two point conversion by the Geckos failed for a final score of 18-0. Heavy rain took over in the final quarter with both teams turning the ball over on fumbles.

Quitugua did not score a touchdown but had very big plays that led to points for GW. Quitugua said his coaches deserve most of the credit.

“Our coaches not only teach us of how to be better football players, but also better people. They always tell us how much we put in is how much we get out, they are really motivational. Our job is to work our butts off in practice and we put our trust in them and they will guide us to our goal,” said Quitugua.

Quitugua rushed for 82 yards and also caught a 7-yard pass for a first down. Weires rushed for 21 yards which included a touchdown and caught two passes for 21 yards. The Panthers fall to 2-4.

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Geckos Brendan Santos attempt to stiff hand a Guam High player to storm through and past the defense into the end-zone. ​

Geckos Ryan Quitugua attept to escape the Panther defense but is put to a hault on the sidelines.

Geckos Quitugua seeks for an opening on the outsides of the offensive line during the 2nd quarter.

Geckos quarterback Santos sets off a pass to gain some ground in Friday’s muddy game. (photo by Richard Camacho IV)