SEMIS: FRIARS HEADED TO SIXTH STRAIGHT FOOTBALL FINALS

By Brandon Kinsella

The FD Friars are headed to the IIAAG Championship Game for the sixth straight year. The Friars advanced after a 21-0 semifinals victory over the Sanchez Sharks at GW field. Sanchez forfeited the game at the half to the displeasure of many in attendance.

“We’re a little bit disappointed at Sanchez calling the game early but we know that they gave everything they had, and they really gave us a battle,” said FD runningback Kein Artero, who finished the game with 93 yards and two touchdowns. 

FD won the toss and elected to kickoff and Sanchez would have an opportunity to be the first to attack on offense. 

Sanchez struggled moving the chains on their first drive, as FD’s defense brought the pressure. An eight-yard rush by Sanchez quarterback/safety Jayton Penaflor and a 10-yard rush by running back Adin Lumba highlighted the first drive. But a few plays after, Linebacker Roy Chargualaf forced a fumble and defensive end Caleb Murphy recovered for the Friars. 

On FD’s first offensive possession, they hit the ground running. A 22-yard rush by Artero would setup teammate Caiyle Gogue for a score. Gogue put up the first points of the game on his first handoff, after a read in the backfield caused Gogue to cutback to the opposite side of the field, where he would find running room for a 30-yard touchdown. Kicker Bobby Haddock converted on the PAT which gave FD a 7-0 lead. 

Sanchez tried to regroup on their following offensive possession, but FD’s defense continued to bring the pressure. A blitz by the linebacker Chargualaf resulted in a 10-yard tackle for loss. The drive eventually resulted in a punt and FD gained decent field position on the return. 

Chargualaf wreaked havoc on the defense end, finishing with two forced fumbles, two tackles for loss and eight tackles total. 

On Sanchez’s defensive end, linebacker Rayvin Cruz played efficiently, finishing with a sack, tackle for loss, and five tackles total. 

Artero scored the last two touchdowns of the game for FD. On the first play of the 2nd Quarter, Artero broke away for a 41-yard score, and Haddock converted on the PAT to put the Friars up 14-0. 

Then, another forced fumble by the Friars would setup Artero’s last score. 

In good field position following the turnover, Artero found running room on the outside and broke away, beating his defenders for a 20-yard touchdown. Haddock converted on the PAT which put FD up 21-0, finishing 3-of-3 on the night. 

There was mixed controversy at half between the coaches, about whether a forfeit was necessary. But eventually, the forfeit was granted, and the Friars obtained the victory and a trip to the Championship. 

With this win the Friars extend their winning streak to 47 and will face the winner of GW vs Guam High. 

Artero gave some closing remarks about what this win means to him and the team and discussed briefly what preparation will be like during championship week while dedicating the win to FD’s former Principal William ‘Bill’ Roth.

“Extending our streak to 47-0 with a chance to make it 48 next weekend is a huge accomplishment. As we prepare this week, we’re going to need 100% attendance at practice and we’re going to continue to give it our all. We’d like to dedicate this game to Mr. William Roth,” said Artero. 

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY: