
By Patrick Lujan
Coming down to the top three running backs from each school has been tough, yet extremely fun. Guam’s gridiron has been founded on the ground game and to this day, our island churns out countless amounts of athletic running backs. Heck, the Sanchez Sharks still run the wishbone offense.
Like the quarterbacks list, I draw from four decades of action that is still talked about today.
Without further adieu, let’s talk running backs.
#1: John F. Kennedy
It was a fight for the top slot, but no other team could overcome the sports entertainment provided by Kenny Lujan, Rob Rodgers and Erwin Flauta.
Lujan had the total package of speed, strength, agility and intelligence with no weakness in his game, becoming arguably the greatest running back Guam has ever produced. He even blocked better than most linemen. Rodgers was the blonde haired, blue eyed boy from Agat that came up from the small schools division and proved his worth by breaking the rushing record at that time and almost mimicked everything his mentor Lujan once did in the Green and Gold. (Note: Rodgers, to this day, calls Lujan his ‘all-time’ hero).
Flauta wraps up the trio. Everything was effortless for Flauta, who never left the field and was a true ironman. His fluid game was a thing of beauty, leaving defenders grabbing at air. Put the ball in Flauta’s hands (even on punt and kick returns) and he became a human highlight reel.
Just missed the cut: Bernard Gines
#2: Father Duenas
This was the toughest school to cut down to three as the Friars present a plethora of exceptional running backs over the years.
Bruce Meno will forever be on FD’s football mantel as both a player and a coach. As an undersized runner in the mid 90’s, Meno seemed to be bathed in oil because he was so slippery, no one could tackle him. He was the Emmitt Smith of Guam who loved to run between the tackles. DeAundre Cruz was a manchild, he probably had ba’bas (facial hair) since second grade. Cruz was just a man amongst boys. His FD teams blew out everyone that Cruz barely played beyond the third quarter. Imagine if he was able to carry 20+ times per game – things would’ve been out of control. And for the youngest player on the list, you have Kein Artero. Another player worth the price of admission who could find the end zone on any given touch. His speed and stride left a blur, giving him the nickname ‘Ghost’ by GSPN.
Just missed the cut: Paul Claros, Xavier Reyes, Marcus Aguon, Paul Mendiola
#3: George Washington
Three Ga’Ga’s (Monsters) is how I describe the Geckos final three. Paul ‘Commando’ Camacho ran with reckless abandon in the mid 80’s, famously known for flying over the line of scrimmage. Jesse Lujan was a GYFL superstar with the Guam Eagles and took those talents to GW for just a year. Longtime coach Loring Cruz said if Lujan played all four years, he could’ve been GW’s best running back ever. His bruising game and breakaway speed left lasting impressions even if it was for but a year. Hosea Ware was a bruiser himself decades later, epitomizing the blueprint of a Gecko running back.
Just missed the cut: Fraim Leon Guerrero, Eddie Guerrero, Brandon Chandler
#4: Simon Sanchez
Speaking of plethora of runners to choose from, there were too many to pick from the Sharks. Remember, before Guam High School was formed, most of the Air Force kids went to Sanchez.
Let’s start with Blu Shiroma. I think he enjoyed inflicting pain on the defense more than gaining yards (j/k Blu). Corey Dunlop and Dondre Barnes had similar styles in the vaunted Sanchez wishbone attack. Funny thing is, you knew what was coming…you just couldn’t stop it back then.
Just missed the cut: John Salas, Franklin Sojo, Justin Andre
#5: GCC
For a brief history when the Tradesmen had their own high school team, they rolled out some talent. Kenny DeSoto was super skinny but super fast. John Ulloa was multi-talented and Mike Palacios had the same skill sets and path as GW’s Jesse Lujan.
Just missed the cut: Derek Coker
#6: Southern/Oceanview
Rob Rodgers is the only player on two teams on this list. He was part of the original Agat/Santa Rita High School (later Oceanview High School) and his legacy remains untouched at the southern school. Shaun Pascua and Wayne Matanane were workhorses when the Knights converted over to the Dolphins.
Just missed the cut: Carlo Reyes, John Arceo, Kam Tenorio
#7-9: Guam High/Okkodo/Tiyan
Panther D.J. Cruz had a dash of Bruce Meno in him while Tegan Brown was a bruiser. Jesse Karl Cruz and Joseph De Leon Guerrero spearhead the way forward for future Bulldogs and Titans.



GPS Sports Calendar
February 2023
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for January
1st
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
2nd
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
Events for February
3rd
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
TRITONS BASEBALL INVITATIONAL PLAYOFFS
Events for February
4th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
Events for February
6th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
7th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
8th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
9th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
Events for February
10th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
TRITONS BASEBALL INVITATIONAL FINALS
Events for February
11th
Events for February
13th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
14th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
15th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
Events for February
16th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
Events for February
17th
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
Events for February
18th
World Athletics Cross Country Championships
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
Events for February
19th
SPRINT TRIATHLON, PACIFIC GAMES QUALIFIER
MONSTER ENERGY MOTOCROSS ROUND 2
Events for February
20th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
21st
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
22nd
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
23rd
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
Events for February
24th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL QUARTERFINALS
Events for February
24th
Events for February
25th
Events for February
27th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER SEMIFINALS
Events for February
28th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL FINALS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE SEMIFINALS
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS

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