By Mike Nauta Jr.

The Triple J Ford Guam National Youth Football Federation League officially closed out its opening weekend of games Sunday with several matches on schedule.

Over at the Raiders Field in Tiyan, the Scuba Company Giants went to battle against the Cinnabon Island Saints. In the Matua division both teams gave fans in attendance lots to cheer about on opening day. However, only one could walk away victorious and with the scoreboard reflecting 20-6 in their favor it was the Saints who celebrated victory.

Player of the Game Rudmch “Foley” Ngirchokebai
(2 TD, 41 yds rush, 35 yds rec)

“It was a really good game by both teams, we both played hard looking for the first win,” said Saints receiver Rudmch “Foley” Ngirchokebai. “We are off to a good start but there are many more games left,” added the eventual Player of the Game.

The Saints were first on offense and wasted no time setting the tone going immediately with the running game. Needing only two plays, the Saints charged their way into Giants territory after a huge 25-yard run by Edward Sandlin. Play after play, the Saints kept their opponents moving back and eventually set up a first and goal at the three yard line. However, a determined Scuba Company team upped the ante on defense and forced the Saints to turn the ball over on a fumble initiated by Jalana Garcia.

With their first shot on offense, the Giants went to work.

Their biggest offense in the series came on a completed pass from starting quarterback Darrin Rivera to receiver Aaron Jamanilla for 27 yards. Several plays later, the Saints defense returned the favor and foxed the Giants to punt. It was on their second attempt on offense when Cinnabon struck and posted six points after Ngirchokebai carried the ball on a reverse play 25 yards into the end zone.

For the remainder of the opening quarter and entire second period, both teams would excite the crowd with huge plays offensively. However, it would be the defenses that stepped up as neither would allow the other to get into the end zone. The halftime break would eventually come with the score still 6-0.

Saints Rudmch “Foley” Ngirchokebai dashes past the Giants’ last bit of defense and scores a touchdown. (photo by Daniel Paran)

At the start of the second half, much was the same as both offenses still looked for a way to score. Several minutes into the third quarter, the Giants turned their defensive game onto offense as Matthew Cruz picked off a pass attempt and ran the ball back 19 yards for the game tying touchdown. Things remained interesting as the third came to a close with the game knotted at six.

Despite great efforts by the Giants in the fourth, the Saints proved to be tough as they would score 14 points and eventually build a 20-6 lead. With time working against them, the Giants would succumb to the clock not able to mount a comeback. The Saints’ Edward Sandlin and Ngirchokebai were credited with the two touchdowns in the quarter.

In the other divisions, the Saints took the Mandikiki game 32-20, the Giants won the Manha match 32-20 and the Saints won the Metgot 26-6.

Meanwhile, the Yigo Jets forfeited all their games on Sunday to the Hal’s Angels.

Saturday Scores

Mandikiki

Raiders 30, Packers 18

Cowboys 6, Eagles 5

Manha
Raiders 33, Packers 7

Cowboys 21, Eagles 7

Metgot
Raiders 19, Packers 0

Cowboys 35, Eagles 18

Matua
Raiders 32, Packers 8

Cowboys 28, Eagles 0

PHOTO GALLERY:

Surrounded but not deterred, Ryan Johnson of the Giants runs straight into Saints defense. (photo by Daniel Paran)

Aaron Jamanila recieves a short pass and runs it into Saints territory. (photo by Daniel Paran)

Looking for an opening, Edward Sandlin maneuvers around to score some yards for the Saints. (photo by Daniel Paran)

Quarterback Andrew Perez of the Saints hands it off to running back Patrick Salas for a short gain. (photo by Daniel Paran)

Giants quarterback Darrin Rivera gets rid of the ball just in time and avoids getting sacked. (photo by Daniel Paran)