GNYFF CHAMPIONSHIP SATURDAY PREVIEW

All the months of practice and games come down to Championship Saturday of the 2024 Triple J GNYFF youth football league to take place at the UOG Field.

GSPN has been covering the league intently throughout and provides the following previews of each division’s title game.

MANHA: #1 ANGELS VS. #3 PACKERS

Regular season: Angels 33, Packers 14

The Angels steadily marched through the regular season without a loss and cruised by the Southern Cowboys in the semifinals.

Head coach SP Phillips said it’s been a big accomplishment for the kids to go undefeated up to this point, but “their goal is the trophy”. Phillips said the keys to victory are: play hard, play smart, and have fun!
“We have to play good and disciplined defense,” Coach Phillips added.

Keep your eyes on: Landon Medler (QB/LB), ⁠Sage Verango (RB/S), ⁠Brennen Aquiningoc (RB/LB), ⁠Tomas Medler (RB/DB), ⁠Zayden Keezel (DB), ⁠Kai Evaristo (DE), ⁠Benny Flores (DE)

The Packers finished the season 6-2, losing to the Angels and Eagles. They avenged their loss to the Eagles in the semifinals, a 7-6 overtime win. Now they look to avenge their loss to the Angels (33-14) that was closer than the score indicated.

“The kids are extremely excited,” Packers coach Drew Apatang said. “They worked so hard this season to get where they are, and they are humbled by the opportunity.

“The key at this point is resiliency. We face an experienced team with a good lineage of coaching. We know we have a battle ahead of us and the key would be to stay resilient against all adversity that we may encounter.”

Keep your eyes on: Jayce Hattori (QB), Connor Hattori (RB), Julian Lane (RB/TE/LB), Izaiah Gogue (C/NT), DaevinRay Cruz (RB)

METGOT: #1 OUTLAWS vs. #2 COWBOYS

Regular season: Outlaws 43, Cowboys 26

Led by super fast and super elusive running back Nekhi Freeman who scored what seems like dozens of touchdowns in their undefeated season, the Outlaws had the highest offensive output than any other team.

Going into the finals, however, the Outlaws are a bit banged up after their semifinal win over the Eagles 25-18.

Outlaws coach Dwayne Duenas expects another big challenge against a tough Cowboys squad.

“In our regular season matchup, we knew it would be tough and it was. I guess as the season progresses, all the teams get better and we’re just trying to peak at the right time,” Coach Duenas said.

Keep your eyes on: Nekhi Freeman (RB/S), ⁠Talen Diaz San Nicolas (RB/LB), ⁠Jahrence Torres (C/NG), ⁠Willis Nikepwi (QB/DE), ⁠Brysin Tenorio (QB/RB/LB)

The Cowboys fell short in a high-scoring matchup against the Outlaws in the regular season and they are eager to get another crack at it, especially after a convincing 24-0 semifinals win over the Angels.

“The kids are extremely excited to get a rematch with their only loss of the season. It was their goal since it happened,” Cowboys coach Mike Quintanilla said. “Every player will be given their assignment. Focus and execution will be the key to our victory.”

The big task at hand will be from the defensive side for the Cowboys, in hopes of slowing down, if not stopping, the electric Outlaws running back Freeman.
“We will see come game day,” said coach Quintanilla when asked how his team will approach Freeman’s talents. “We’re just excited and ready to go out there and show off all of the hard work the team has put in all season.”

Keep your eyes on: Ezekiel Maysho (QB/WR/S), Makoa Aguigui (QB/RB/WR/S), Ryan Jesus (C/DT), Sage Perez (RB/LB), Isaiah Crisostomo (RB/LB), Jessiah Taimanglo (CB/RB)

MATUA: #1 ANGELS vs. #2 OUTLAWS

Regular season: Angels 20, Outlaws 18

These two teams battled in a nail-biter to open the season in a game that could’ve easily gone either way. It was destined that they meet for the title.

In a very competitive Matua division, the Angels stood above them all with an unbeaten season. Now will be their biggest test with the championship on the line.

As far as the preparation, the Angels will be sticking to their winning formula that has brought home championships for generations.

“Nothing different on how we approach games,” coach Ivan Shiroma said. “We stick to our program and leave it in God’s hands. Definitely challenging coaching against former Angels players.”

Shiroma said the Outlaws have a balanced attack that makes them such a threat and that the opponent has “the physicality and confidence of their players and matching wits with their coaching style.”

He also adds that it’s a bit difficult preparing for such a big game, knowing that the Outlaws’ coaches are close friends who show how much they care for their program.

Keep your eyes on: Apollo Moylan (QB), Kayden Medler (U), Brayden Copp (WR)

The Outlaws could’ve have easily been the top seed, but some in-game decisions against the Angels in Week 1 turned costly in the standings. Nevertheless, they got the matchup they’ve been waiting for since then.

“We made costly errors,” Outlaws head coach Justin Cruz recalls their first game. “I made some poor calls as a coach and I’m taking it as it is. We know we are better than that so we just gotta stay focused and peak at the right time. I still believe this team is yet to peak at their full potential. Even with the win over the Packers I still expect to play better football.

“We can’t be complacent this weekend, we have to be ready for everything the Angels bring. They are coached by the legends of youth football, the Shiroma family, so coaching against them is like playing chess. I believe in our coaching staff to be able to put together a scheme to help stop what they bring come this weekend. Thanks to coaches Rico Concepcion, Mario Ignacio, Jonis Escuadra, and Dwayne Duenas for giving their time to give back to the youth.”

Cruz said the game will be won in the trenches, hence, his need for his offensive and defensive lines to execute in their biggest game to date.

Keep your eyes on: O-line Juan Angoco, Bryce Maniebo, Blake Provins, Jezariah Fausto, and Jack Nevens. D-line Sage Delgado, Wilson Nikepwi, Maga’lahi Salas, Reef Balajadia, and Juan Carlo Presnell.