
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.



Foody’s Fun Facts
Foody’s Fun Facts with Makayla Atoigue
ND Royals Rugby Player Makayla Atoigue lays down her Foody’s Fun Facts and shares her dream vacation spot
GPS Sports Calendar
May 2022
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for May
2nd
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET #4
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
3rd
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA RUGBY LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL QUARTERFINALS
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
5th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
6th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL SEMIFINALS
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
7th
GPD HOT PURSUIT 5K
MARIANAS OPEN
ISA MIDDLE SCHOOL TRACK & FIELD
ISA RUGBY LEAGUE
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
Events for May
9th
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET #5
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
10th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER All-Star Meeting
IIAAG GIRLS BEACH VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG GIRLS SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL FINALS
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
10th
Events for May
12th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL ALL-ISLAND MEETING
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER SEMIFINALS
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
12th
Events for May
14th
14th JUDICA CRABAO 5K
ISA MIDDLE SCHOOL TRACK & FIELD
ISA RUGBY LEAGUE
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA GIRLS SOCCER FINALS
Events for May
16th
ISA TRACK & FIELD ALL-ISLAND MEET
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE All-Star Meeting
Events for May
17th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
18th
ISA RUGBY LEAGUE SEMIFINALS
IIAAG GIRLS MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Events for May
19th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE SEMIFINALS
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
20th
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL All-Star Meeting
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
21st
Pre-Memorial Day 13-Miler
GETTING GUAM HEALTHY 5K BUBBLE RUN/HEALTH FAIR
ISA MIDDLE SCHOOL TRACK & FIELD All-ISLAND MEET
ISA RUGBY LEAGUE FINALS
ALPHA WARRIOR ESPORTS CHAMPIONSHIPS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE FINALS
2022 Guam Track & Field National Championships
Events for May
23rd
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL SEMIFINALS
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
24th
Events for May
26th
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL FINALS
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
27th
- 29
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- 1
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Events for May
29th
Events for May
30th

Volleyball
VOLLEYBALL ALL-STAR PLAYERS DRAFTED

Volleyball
TITANS COMPLETE PERFECT 2022 SEASON

Volleyball
VOLLEYBALL ALL-STAR PLAYERS DRAFTED

Baseball
DODGERS HAND TRITONS FIRST LOSS

Volleyball
TITANS COMPLETE PERFECT 2022 SEASON
Foody’s Fun Facts
Foody’s Fun Facts with Makayla Atoigue
ND Royals Rugby Player Makayla Atoigue lays down her Foody’s Fun Facts and shares her dream vacation spot
Foody’s Fun Facts
Foody’s Fun Facts with Makayla Atoigue
ND Royals Rugby Player Makayla Atoigue lays down her Foody’s Fun Facts and shares her dream vacation spot
COMING SOON …
- YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE KICKOFF June 4
- Todd Gurley Football Camp on Andersen
- GSPN Boys Volleyball All-Star Game
- Pacific Mini-Games in Saipan