HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL READY TO KICK OFF WITH 7 TEAMS

By Jay Leon Guerrero

Are you ready for some football?

The 2025-2026 ISA Football League is quickly approaching and the story this season is: can a squad finally dethrone the FD Friars?

The Friars Football team, led by head coach Bruce Meno, has owned the high school football scene for nine straight seasons. The season, perhaps, may be the year a school like the George Washington Geckos, Southern Dolphins, or the Guam High Panthers end the 81-game winning streak.

Here are some previews based on how the teams finished last season:

1. FD Friars (7-0)
The Friars graduated a huge stack of key players from their roster, most notably from the defense. Gone are Isaiha Arriola, Chase Artero, Tristan Burgos, Hyan Mesa, and Isaac Wessling (just to name a few). The Friars won the championship last year in a defensive 5-0 victory over the Geckos. All the players named above were keys to that victory.

If there is a year for that streak to be broken, this season may be the year. With a handful of key returnees including Kaynin McIntosh and Mason Whitaker, can the Friars continue the streak? The Friars open their season this weekend against the JFK Islanders Saturday night.

2. GW Geckos (6-1)
The Geckos have always been the team knocking on the door against the Friars and last season was another one that got away. The biggest returnee for GW is two-way MVP Rayn Rios, the first to ever get those honors on both sides of the ball. The son of coach Ryan Rios returns as a senior and is on a mission to lead the team to take out the mighty Friars.

The last time the Friars tasted defeat was in 2014 when the Geckos won their last championship.

Returning this season are running back Justin Sablan, guard Terrance Leon Guerrero, and wide receivers Seth Dumanal, Jace Dela Cruz, and Ty Leon Guerrero. On defense, Landon Suzuki returns at defensive end, Isidro Flores at utility, and Edward Whitman is a solid cornerback.

3. Southern Dolphins (5-2)
The Tuninos are led by coach Justin “Shocker” Cruz. The Dolphins started last season with a 4-0 record and scored on their opening drive against FD. The Friars came back to get the victory to preserve their streak. After dropping their semifinal game to the Geckos, Southern hoisted the third-place trophy after taking down the Guam High Panthers 30-6.

Cruz said he has about 15 solid returnees but also lost key starters to graduation. Donte Salas, Braven Chaco, Eden Micheal, Tyler Tevid, Thomas Dela Cruz, Izayus Rosalin, and Collin Santos are all gone after graduating last year.

Sophomores Nate Esteves (all-around), Kaden Cruz (RB/slot) and Erv Torres (RB) look to make a big splash as 10th graders. Senior center Cory Salas will lead the trenches on both sides and junior team captain Ryan Luzanta will roam around at linebacker and fellow 11th grader Brenden Tablan will be a target at the slot.

Lastly, freshman quarterback Ghasen Gaje is coming off a youth championship game with the Outlaws and will get the start for the Dolphins.

Cruz said of his team: “We have a young, talented team. It’s just a matter of time when they start to gel together.”

The Dolphins will open their season against the Sanchez Sharks this Friday night at the GW field.

4. Guam High Panthers (4-3)
The Panthers finished in fourth place last year after dropping the consolation game 30-6 to the Dolphins. The Panthers will have new leadership in head coach Terrance Young. Although final roster numbers and key players were not reported by their coaching staff, the Panthers will be ready on game day.

According to their coaching staff, the Panthers have seven key returnees from last season, led by Noah Harris. In addition to their returnees, the Panthers have some new additions to their roster. The Panthers have a bye week in week 1 and will take on the Geckos in week 2.

5. JFK Islanders (2-5)

According to returning head coach Allen Blend, the Islanders have a good 30 players coming out to practice, mostly underclassmen with a handful of returnees.

” We also have several young players moving up from the GNYFF as well as a handful that are playing football for the first time. It has been a slow start to the season. However, we look forward to being competitive as a team and improving as the season progresses,” coach Blend said. “In order for us to make a deep run this year, we will need our line play to improve this year. We have just a couple of returnees on both sides of the line that will have to help guide our new personnel if we want to make a playoff run.”

JFK will be leaning heavily on Peter Camacho (DE), Vandahlei Mansapit (RB/LB), Dallas Mohr (RB/WR) and Eric Fejeran (G).

The Islanders get started against the Friars on Saturday night at Ramsey Field.

6. Sanchez Sharks (2-5)
With longtime head coach Jimmy Naholowaa retiring, the torch has been passed to Nikolas Masnayon. Masnayon said his team is projected to have around 38 players by opening night. “Our numbers this year for Sanchez are looking well. We’re quite pleased with the numbers we’ve been having. We have a consistent 30-36 coming out to practice,” said Masnayon.

Despite having lost two key players in the backfield, the rejuvenated Sharks look to improve from a 6th-place finish from last season. The Sharks home games will be played at Ramsey Field in Upper Tumon. They take on the Dolphins this Friday night to open the season at the GW field.

7. Okkodo Bulldogs (1-6)
The Bulldogs are entering the season under new coach Mike Pangelinan with a projected roster size of 23-25 players. Coach Pangelinan stated: “My goal this season is to instill in my athletes the importance of accountability and consistency, showing them that true success comes from giving their best effort every day.”

Key returnees include Tua-Latte Castro, Rexson Tonaw, and Ethan Wusstig. The Bulldogs will host the GW Geckos this Saturday at 3 pm.

8. Tiyan Titans (1-6)
Unfortunately, due to a low turnout, the Titans will not be fielding a football team this season. Tiyan players will affiliate with other teams this year.