GW ROLLS PAST JFK 48-6, AWAITS FD

By Jay Leon Guerrero

The GW Geckos improved to 5-0 in the ISA Football League with a 48-6 victory over the JFK Islanders Friday night at the GW Field.

It was the first points given up by the Geckos this season as they now set up a big showdown against the FD Friars in Week 6.

The Geckos established a run game early in the contest, scoring on their opening drive with Rayn Rios bulldozing his way to a 14-yard score.

The Gecko defense was stingy early in the game, forcing the Islanders to punt on their first three possessions.

Seth Dumanal had his number called on the next two possessions for the Geckos and scored two touchdowns to close out the first quarter with a 20-0 lead. Dumanal had 75 rush yards, and Rios recorded 80 rush yards – all in the first quarter.

“It was a good win for us tonight, but we made some mistakes. We are going to work hard in practice (next week) and fix those mistakes for the big game next week,” said Dumanal.

The Geckos will be facing the Friars next week, a game marked on everyone’s calendar between the village rivals. “The game plan next week: follow our coaches’ game plan and execute,” said Rios.

The Gecko ground attack set up a pair of passing touchdown scores, both caught by GW wide receiver Jayce Dela Cruz. Dela Cruz scored on a 16-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Hayden Celis early in the second quarter.

Dela Cruz scored his second touchdown, a 19-yard touchdown from GW’s other quarterback, Avian Gumataotao, later in the second quarter.

The Islanders needed a big play, and two-way player Javier Cruz answered the call with a highlight 67-yard rush for a touchdown. Cruz used good blocking from the JFK offensive line and utilized his speed to outrun the Gecko defenders for the score. The Islanders lined up for the extra point attempt, but the kick was blocked by Rios. The score was 32-6 at halftime.

JFK’s defense took the field after halftime with more aggression. Alesana Jorlang recorded a sack and forced a fumble to hold the Geckos scoreless in the third quarter.

The Gecko defense also made plays in the second half, recording a safety in the fourth quarter. Ysidro Flores recorded a sack in the JFK end zone to put up two points for the safety. 

Gecko defensive tackle Seth Merfalen also recorded a sack in the final period to hold the Islanders to six points. Merfalen led the Geckos with six tackles. Three were for losses.

The Geckos added two insurance touchdowns in the final quarter to end the game with a final score of 48-6. Jaden Indalecio powered his way into the end zone for a 4-yard score. Ty James Leon Guerrero scored the final touchdown of the game, a 31-yard rush.

Vandahlei Reyes and Cruz led the Islander defense with five tackles each. Joseph Delos Santos had three tackles. Two were for losses. The loss drops the Islanders to fifth place, their record is now 1-4. 

In the other Friday night game, the Guam High Panthers defeated the Sanchez Sharks 36-6. 

The Islanders will play the Sanchez Sharks next week Friday at JFK, their homecoming game. The Geckos will face the Friars in their village rivalry game, also on Friday night at GW. Both games will kickoff at 7 pm. 

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