
By Robert Balajadia
Not many Guam high school football teams go through a rebuild quite as often as the ever-changing Guam High Panthers do and 2017 appears to be a massive overhaul for the program.
Gone are the explosive runners Juan King and Avery Fernandez and instead, Guam High is welcoming a wealth of first time football players as well as a rookie quarterback which has immensely dialed down head coach Jacob Dowdell’s expectations.
“We’re going to treat every first down gained like a touchdown,” laughed Dowdell. “We lost about 98% of our offensive fire power from last year’s team and 80% of our linemen are gone. Those things are so difficult to replace.”
Effort will be the measuring stick for Guam High in 2017 as Dowdell understands his team’s limits.
“If we go by numbers only then the game isn’t always going to go your way. We’re going to need to see the effort from our players on every play.”
Returning defensive standouts
One of the biggest standouts from the Panthers will be no short of a literal standout. 6’4″ junior defensive end Makoa Bamba has matured into the team’s defensive leader and Dowdell has seen him grow into his current captain role.
“An issue with [Makoa] has been maturity, but I’m so proud of how far he’s come and he’s been keeping his attitude positive,” said Dowdell.
Bamba will also take snaps as a receiver.
Linebacker Jayln Dowdell is another key piece to the returning squad after posting a stellar sophomore season.
“The reality is we’re about 20 students deep challenging some teams that are 50-60 deep, after cuts. If we’re comparing it to how football is out in the states, we’re a 5A school challenging 1A schools. We’re still going to do our best to stay competitive.”
Throwing in a rookie
Freshman Travon Jacobs was a standout in the GNYFF playing quarterback for the Southern Cowboys and he’s now landed a spot as the starting QB for the Panthers.
“I want him to throw the ball as much as he can and I don’t want him to be gun-shy. Not that my expectations are low, but I usually expect a lot out of my quarterback and starting a freshman is something no team would usually do,” said Dowdell.
One of the biggest resources available to Jacobs will be the addition of former Panther quarterback, and former league Offensive MVP, LJ Aguon to the coaching staff. Aguon is a product of the Dowdell system and Dowdell feels Aguon’s presence will be the best tool available for the freshman.
“Everyone know’s were going to throw the ball. [Travon] will have to remember the playbook in and out since he’s going to be the only one speaking in the huddle. I believe we’ll see him grow a little each game.”
The Panthers will kick off Friday evening against the Tiyan Titans at the Panther Field at 7 pm. In light of the competition, Dowdell sees a lot of growth within his Titan opponents, namely through their current coaches.
“Danny Cepeda (Tiyan head coach) and Joey Guerrero have done a lot for the kids and I have a lot of respect for them. They do a lot of work behind the scenes, out of pocket stuff, and that’s a big thing for me. I see them turning into a special team, I just hope it doesn’t start against us,” ended Dowdell.
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GPS Sports Calendar
June 2022
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for May
31st
Events for June
2nd
Events for June
4th
35th Most Beautiful Run 5-Miler
Youth Football League
Events for June
5th
Youth Football League
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for June
5th
Events for June
9th
FIBA MICRONESIAN CUP 2022
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for June
10th
FIBA MICRONESIAN CUP 2022
GLORIFIED SPARRING 9
Events for June
11th
FUNCTIONAL FITNESS LEAGUE: Round 1
APL RACE FIESTA
Youth Football League
FIBA MICRONESIAN CUP 2022 FINALS
Events for June
12th
APL RACE FIESTA
Youth Football League
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
GSPN HIGH SCHOOL BOYS VOLLEYBALL ALL-STAR GAME
Events for June
14th
Events for June
17th
PACIFIC MINI GAMES
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for June
18th
PACIFIC MINI GAMES
Youth Football League
Events for June
19th
PACIFIC MINI GAMES
Youth Football League
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for June
20th
PACIFIC MINI GAMES
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for June
21st
PACIFIC MINI GAMES
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for June
23rd
PACIFIC MINI GAMES
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for June
24th
PACIFIC MINI GAMES
FD Alumni Basketball Tournament
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for June
25th
PACIFIC MINI GAMES
GUAM NINJA COMPETITION
YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE
FD Alumni Basketball Tournament
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for June
26th
YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE
FD Alumni Basketball Tournament
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for June
27th
FD Alumni Basketball Tournament
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for June
28th
FD Alumni Basketball Tournament
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for June
30th
FD Alumni Basketball Tournament
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE

Basketball
8-TIME FD CHAMPS TAKEN DOWN

Bowling
JUNE KING & PRINCE OF THE LANES

Baseball
CNMI WINS ANOTHER BASEBALL CLASSIC

Football
ANGELS LAY CLAIM AS BEST IN MATUA

Basketball
8-TIME FD CHAMPS TAKEN DOWN

Basketball
FD ALMUNI HOOPS TOURNEY IN FULL SWING
Foody’s Fun Facts
Foody’s Fun Facts with Arren Yatar
UOG Tritons Pitcher Arren Yatar shares some of his fun facts and tells us about his favorite YouTube channel!
Foody’s Fun Facts
Foody’s Fun Facts with Arren Yatar
UOG Tritons Pitcher Arren Yatar shares some of his fun facts and tells us about his favorite YouTube channel!
COMING SOON …
- Asia Pacific Little League
- National Triathlon Championships
- GML Makeup Games
- FD Alumni Basketball Tournament (ongoing)