CHARFAUROS LEADS GECKOS OVER DOLPHINS IN SEMIS

By Jay Leon Guerrero

The George Washington Geckos will face the FD Friars in the 2024 ISA High School Football Championship game after defeating the Southern Dolphins 18-6.

Gecko quarterback Avian Gumataotao connected with Corey Charfauros twice in the second quarter help clinch the victory. The first touchdown pass was a 29-yard score, and the second score was a 71-yard highlight.

The Geckos led 12-0 at halftime after both conversions were broken up by bad snaps.

“Those big plays were a team effort: Avian threw good passes, and our line deserves much of the credit for providing good blocks,” said Charfauros. Charfauros ended the game with those two receptions for 100 yards. 

“We needed a big play to put us up. Corey got open, and it gave us the confidence we needed. After that, we found some good rhythm for the offense,” said Gumataotao.

The game was deadlocked in the first quarter with both defenses making plays. Southern’s Edge’rien Escuadra had a good read on a lateral play and was able to get his hands on the ball for a fumble turnover recovery.

On GW’s side, league MVP Rayn Rios recorded two tackles-for-losses to force the Dolphins to punt on both first quarter possessions.

After halftime, the Geckos were able to score again after a big play on special teams. A line-drive punt by Nizayah Untalan went in and out of the hands of the Dolphin returner. Utility player Eduardo Whitman picked up the fumble to give GW good field position.

The Geckos went to running back Seth Dumanal twice for big gains to get the ball to the Dolphin two yard line. GW fullback Justin Sablan finished the job with a two-yard score to increase their lead to 18-0 after another failed conversion by the Geckos.

The Dolphins had their backs against the ropes and needed a big play. The Southern playbook tested the Geckos with a reverse play and a hook-and-ladder play, but the Gecko defense, anchored by Rios, was ready.

The Dolphins finally got the big score they needed with quarterback Eden Del Rosario scrambling outside of the pocket and finding Landon Castro for a 59-yard touchdown. Del Rosario’s footwork and ability to avoid pass rushers prolonged the touchdown play, finding Castro down the right sideline for the score.

The extra point failed with GW linebacker Jesse Castro, Jr. blocking the attempt. The Dolphins had life with Donte Salas making key solo tackles to end the third quarter.

The fourth quarter saw more creative plays from Southern’s playbook, but big plays were negated by holding penalties. The Geckos utilized their running backs to kill the clock. The game ended with GW winning 18-6.

Southern’s Salas had a good game on both sides of the scrimmage line with 28 yards rushing and seven tackles. Rai Agustin had a sack for the Dolphins.

Del Rosario threw for 126 yards and a touchdown. Landon Castro had 71 reception yards.

The Gecko 1-2 running back combo of Sablan and Dumanal rushed for 79 and 76 yards, respectively. Rios had seven tackles and two pass deflections. Seth Merfalen had four tackles for the Gecko defense.

GRIDIRON RIVALRIES FOR ALL THE MARBLES

The Friars and Geckos will gather next week Saturday at GW for another classic championship game. In their first contest this season just two weeks ago, both offenses were unable to get rolling and both defenses ended up scoring in the contest.

“Our offense was not moving the ball against FD. We need to work hard this week in practice and give it our all no matter what,” said Gumataotao.

“We made a lot of mistakes in that first game against FD. We’ve addressed those mistakes, and we will work on correcting them in practice (this week),” said Charfauros.

The Dolphins and Guam High Panthers will play Friday night in the league’s consolation game. 

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