DOLPHINS ARE FOR REAL, DOMINATE BULLDOGS 59-0

By Jay Leon Guerrero

The Southern Dolphins improved their ISA Football League record to 2-0 after a 59-0 victory over the Okkodo Bulldogs Saturday afternoon at the Okkodo field. The Bulldogs drop their season opener.

Kaden Cruz led the charge for the Dolphins, scoring three touchdowns with a rushing, receiving, and punt return touchdown. Cruz dedicated his exceptional performance to his great-grandmother, whose funeral he had attended earlier in the day. “I was actually not supposed to come to the game today, but my family convinced me to come,” Cruz shared.

Johnnie Brub also contributed significantly, scoring her second and third touchdowns of the season. “I’d like to thank all my coaches, especially my Nino (Justin ‘Shocker’ Cruz), for believing in me,” said Brub. She scored on a 1-yard rush in the first quarter and later on a highlight 28-yard reception from freshman quarterback sensation Ghesan Gaje, evading two Okkodo defenders on a slant play.

The Dolphin defense also got in on the scoring action, with linebacker Ryan Cole Luzanta returning a 41-yard pick-six.

Reflecting on the season so far, Cruz stated, “So far, it’s been a successful season but we have a long way to go. We have to keep working hard in practice and hope for a good remainder of the season.”

For the Bulldogs, it was a challenging start to the season under first-year head coach Mike Pangelinan, with a squad of just 27 players. Despite the loss, the Bulldogs showcased some promising playmakers and aim to improve as the season progresses.

Davien Meno stood out for the Bulldogs, recording two interceptions and blocking an extra point attempt. Meno nearly scored, but a strong open-field tackle by the Dolphins prevented the shutout. He was also active on defense with five total tackles. Sahi Santos led the Bulldogs in rushing with 26 yards and contributed five tackles defensively, while Tristen Martinez added 22 receiving yards.

Gaje continued to put up numbers in his freshman season with 217 passing yards. Kaden Cruz had three receptions for 91 yards for Southern. The Southern defense was led by Dreyden Aguigui who had five tackles. Luzanta, Brenden Tablan, and Edge’rian Escuadra all recorded interceptions for the Dolphins. 

Okkodo makes a quick turn and plays the GW Geckos Tuesday night at GW. The Bulldogs and Geckos were to play in Week 1 and Okkodo initially called for a forfeit, however, they would later agree to fit in the game as a reschedule. It will be GW’s first game of the season since they received a forfeit win over the Guam High Panthers this weekend.

Southern takes on the JFK Islanders Friday night.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter
Southern: 7-0 – Kaden Cruz 8 yard run (Dela Cruz kick)
Southern: 13-0 – Ryan Cole Luzanta 41 yard interception return (Dela Cruz kick blocked)
Southern: 19-0 – Johnnie Brub 1 yard run (2-pt conversion pass failed)

2nd Quarter
Southern: 27-0 – Kaden Cruz 60 yard pass from Ghesan Gaje (2-point conversion pass from Gaje to Nate Esteves)

3rd Quarter
Southern: 35-0 – Esteves 22 yard pass from Gaje (2-point conversion pass from Gaje to Dela Cruz)
Southern: 43-0 – Brub 28 yard pass from Gaje (2-point run from Aiden Jesus)

4th Quarter
Southern: 51-0 – Kaden Cruz 67 yard punt return (2-point run by Bryce Maniebo)
Southern: 59-0 – Kaden Ignacio 4 yard run (2-point pass from Gaje to Romick Mantanona)

INDIVIDUAL STATS

PASSING

Southern: Ghesan Gaje 9-14-2 212 yrds 2TD; Okkodo: Ethan Wusstig 2-8-1 18 yrds, Davien Meno 0-6-1 0 yrds

RUSHING

Southern: Aiden Jesus 5-55 1TD, Kaden Cruz 3-30 1TD, Ezrah Acovera 2-12, Ervin Torres 3-11, Brenden Tablan 1-10, Kaden Ignacio 2-7 1TD, Johnnie Brub 1-1 (1TD); Okkodo: Sahi Santos 7-14, #76 8-8, #26 1-5, #16 2-(-1), Davien Meno 4-(-2), Ethan Wusstig 3-(-6)

RECEIVING

Southern: Kaden Cruz 2-91 1TD, Nate Esteves 2-37, Johnnie Brub 2-34 yards 1TD, AJ Dela Cruz 1-27, Ervin Torres 1-17, Brenden Tablan 1-6; Okkodo: Tristen Martinez 1-22, Sahi Santos 1-(-4)

TOP TACKLES

Southern: Dreyden Aguigui 5, Ryan Cole Luzanta 3, Kyle Atoigue 3, Nate Esteves 3, Mason Calvo 2.5; Okkodo: Santos 5, Meno 4, #64 3, Martinez 3

SACKS

Southern: Agustin 1, Luzanta .5, Atoigue .5; Okkodo: None

INTERCEPTIONS

Southern: 3 (Luzanta 1 TD, Tablan 1, Escuadra 1); Okkodo: 2 (Meno 2)

KICKING

Southern: AJ Dela Cruz 1-2 PAT; Okkodo: None

PENALTIES

Southern: 8-75; Okkodo: 8-80

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