2023 GNYFF FINALLY KICKS OFF SEASON

By Nick Akimoto

The first week of the 2023 Triple J GNYFF Football League kicked off as the Southern Cowboys made their way up to the Hal’s Angels Field for a day of exciting football matchups against their host. The start of the season was delayed for over a month due to the Typhoon Mawar damage and recovery of our island.

The Matua matchup between the Angels and Cowboys capped off the exciting opener as the Angels came away with the win in a close 6-0 victory over the visitor. 

Despite big hits and big runs from both team’s running committee, both sides struggled to hit pay dirt. The Angels contained the Cowboys’ bruising and physical run-heavy offense from putting any points on the board, while the Cowboys were stingy with the ball, possessing the ball for most of the game and causing turnovers to stifle the Angels’ offense. The match was scoreless until the Angels subbed in Lonnie Stowers and he proceeded to take an outside handoff 20 yards for a touchdown to brake the stalemate. 

“I wasn’t expecting sub in. I didn’t know anyone was injured, but I wasn’t nervous at all because I saw that there was an easy opening to the outside. If I was going to get the ball, I was going to take it and finish it,” said Stowers.

The game-sealing run was Stowers’ lone run on the afternoon, as the Angels leaned on Brock Aguon, Ezra Acovera, and Rieko Mendiola to carry the rock. Mendiola led the Angels run offense with 36 yards, but Aguon had an 80-yard touchdown in the first quarter that was called back on an offensive blocking penalty. 

“They teach us to move on after every play, come back harder, and fight back. We practice that everyday and we put that to use,” said Aguon on bouncing back after the deflating penalty call. 

The Cowboys’ defense was led by Nathan Esteves and Javin Meno, as the linebackers led their team with 6 and 5.5 tackles a piece. The duo also contributed on the other end, as Esteves pulled a 25-yard pass and Meno trucked his way for 36 yards on the ground, excluding a 30-yard touchdown that got called back as well. Josiah Cruz also logged in yards for the Cowboys’, as he led the game in rushing with 56 yards. 

Despite the Cowboys’ productive day on offense, it wasn’t enough to pierce through the Angels’ end zone. Acovera and Christian Leon Guerrero were crucial to keeping the Cowboys scoreless, as both with lead the game with 6 tackles. 

“Today’s game was tough. Whatever challenge we come to, our coaches teach us and train us how to face it, and we did our best and did what we had to do,” said Acovera.

Hal’s Angels Coach Rico Concepcion was proud of his team’s victory against a tough Cowboys team, but also noted the resilience of the GNYFF and was proud to see the sport surviving through both COVID and Typhoon Mawar. 

“Outstanding job from the Angels. Outstanding job from the Cowboys. The youth program for football is outstanding, and we’re coming back, and it’s great to see that the kids and parents and the whole organization are coming out for the island of Guam,” said Coach Concepcion. 

GAME RESULTS

Manha

Angels 33, Cowboys 21

Broncos 21, Crusaders 6 

Metgot 

Angels 25, Cowboys 0

Broncos 21, Crusaders 13 

Matua 

Angels 6, Cowboys 0

Crusaders 19, Broncos 12

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