PANTHERS END FOUR-GAME SKID

By Jay Leon Guerrero

The Guam High Panthers defended their home turf and snapped their four game losing streak on senior night, defeating the Southern High Dolphins 14-6 Saturday. The Panthers and the Dolphins came into the contest with identical 2-4 records.

With the victory, the Panthers improve to 3-4 for the season and move up to the 5th seed and will face the 4th seeded Okkodo Bulldogs in the playoffs next weekend. The Dolphins drop to 2-5 and will face the JFK Islanders at Ramsey Field in the single elimination playoffs. Both teams will travel to their opposition home fields next weekend.

Penalties plagued the Dolphins to open up the contest with off-side and unsportsmanlike infractions called in the first quarter. The Panthers capitalized from the penalties and called on running back Avery Fernandez to punch in a 4-yard TD run to go up 7-0. Nick Anderson converted on the extra point attempt for the Panthers.

The Dolphins regrouped and managed to score before halftime. Corey Duenas caught a 14-yard pass from quarterback Napu Topasna to get the Dolphins on the board. After a failed two-point conversion, the Dolphins trailed 7-6 going into the locker rooms.

On their first possession after halftime, the Panthers got a big play from quarterback Jujuan King with an accurate 27-yard strike to receiver Xavier Jones for the touchdown. The Johnson kick helped the Panthers go up 14-6.

The Dolphins marched into the Panther red zone early in the fourth quarter after long runs by Kamron Tenorio and Jeric Navarro. The Panthers’ Nate Williams ended the Dolphin drive, and momentum, after he recovered a fumble to maintain the 8 point advantage.

The Dolphins defense did their job and gave the ball back to their offense just a minute later after a 3-and-out possession by the Panthers. Linebacker Dyllan Tenorio from the Dolphins did not allow the Panthers to get comfortable running the ball and managed a tackle for a loss to force the Panthers to punt on 4th-and-long.

Wendy’s players of the game Donvan Johnson-Coleman and Jujuan King helped the Guam High Panthers end a four-game loosing streak. (photo by Richard Camacho IV)

The Dolphins got the ball back and with 5:04 left in regulation decided to go for a big play at mid-field. The Dolphins gambled for a big play but were intercepted by Panther cornerback Travis Aguon to end their drive.

Dyllan Tenorio, the Dolphins’ team captain, guided the defense and stopped the Panther run game and got the ball back after a punt. The Panther defense then stepped up with Wendy’s Co-Player of the Game Donovan Johnson-Coleman forcing and recovering a fumble with 2:55 left regulation to seal the victory.

“I felt that this win was very important for the teams confidence. What we have to do now is keep the momentum going into the playoffs,” said Johnson-Coleman. Johnson-Coleman, who also was key to blocking as a fullback on offense; had a fumble recovery, a sack and three tackles for losses.

King led the Panther offense with a passing TD, 93 passing yards and 27 rushing yards to earn the Wendy’s Co-Player of the Game honors with Johnson-Coleman. “We just got to keep playing as a team to be successful in the playoffs. We did really tonight because we played as a team,” said King.

Solomon White had a good game on the ground and led the Panthers rushing with 66 yards, Fernandez had the TD run and 19 yards rushing. Davaughn Suarez-Taitague was solid on defense with a tackle for loss and a sack.

Kamron Tenorio led the offense for the Dolphins rushing for 104 yards on the ground, Navarro rushed for 87 yards. Topasna completed the touchdown pass and threw for 44 yards.

Other Score

JFK 15, Tiyan 0

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Dolphins’ Dylan Tenorio gets the best of Panther Avery Fernandez on the short run. (photo by Richard Camacho IV)

Panther Xavier Richardson grabs hold of the Dolphins ball-carrier for loss on the play. (photo by Richard Camacho IV)

Panther Avery Fernandez struggles with the handoff as the Dolphins defense attacks. (photo by Richard Camacho IV)

Panthers quarterback Jujuan King lets off a deep ball from the well protected pocket. (photo by Richard Camacho IV)