JOHNNIE BRUB TAKES ON HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

By Patrick Lujan

Football is one of the most physical sports on the planet that instills fear in most boys/men.

Not Johnnie Brub, the only girl playing in Guam’s high school football league.

The 15-year-old freshman is a multi-positioned weapon that has played running back, receiver, kick holder and is even the backup quarterback for the Southern Dolphins in which she’s already scored three touchdowns on the season.

This is nothing short of a novelty. Brub is a bona fide talent who is just scratching the surface in the sport she truly loves and takes seriously.

“Johnnie’s competitive nature is top-notch. Her drive and determination to be the hardest worker on the field allow her to hang with the boys,” said Dolphins offensive coordinator Justin Cruz, who coached Brub in youth football as well. “She’s one of the smartest players out there and can play at any skilled position we put her in. As a running back, she runs hard and isn’t afraid to hit the hole.”

That was evident just last Saturday against the Guam High Panthers. When getting the call to carry the rock in the 3rd quarter, she lowered her shoulder on an off-tackle run and delivered a good shot to the defender, winning the 1-on-1 encounter. The next play, she got blasted by two Panthers, but showed no effect. Two plays, one yard – but miles of respect gained for her toughness and grit.

“In my 20-plus years of coaching football, Johnnie stands out as being on a completely different level compared to any other female I’ve seen play the game at the high school level,” Coach Cruz continued with the high praise.

After just four games, some of the island’s football historians can’t remember another female high school player making such a big influence, especially in the short amount of time.

Some phenomenal young players who excelled in the game were names like Aubrey Posadas, Morgan Reyes and Jalana Garcia, but that was in youth football and they didn’t play high school ball. There has been scatters of female players, but far less impactful.

“Johnnie is definitely one of the best athletes in her generation, and she’s only getting started,” said Olivia Flores Elliott, a true legend of women’s tackle football and rugby. “She’s a multi-sport athlete with grit and determination to learn and get better. You don’t see that much anymore in athletes nowadays but she is definitely different. I think it speaks volumes of her bravery that she has the confidence to play high school football as a freshman and she’s not afraid to tackle and be tackled, size doesn’t matter, and she proves that.”

MOTHER’S INFLUENCE

Johnnie’s interest in football started around the age of 4 while watching her mom Raylyn Brub play in the women’s tackle football league. The football bug bit hard, even at such a young age, and the yearning for the gridiron and the nervousness (or lack thereof) that comes with it is inherited.

“No, I’m not nervous when she plays,” said mom Raylyn. “I was excited when she told me she was gonna play in high school.”

ADDICTED TO FOOTBALL

The attraction to the game seems to go beyond just interest or even love. It’s an addiction. The 5-foot-4, 140-lb. unicorn doesn’t possess an intimidating presence. It’s the unseen intangibles that sets her apart from the rest.

“Football has taught me a lot,” she said. “It’s taught me discipline, self-criticism, and self-confidence. Football made me realize that I can do anything if I have the mindset and the positivity for it. Football is addictive – once you get on that field, you would not want to get off.”

Brub made her way through the Packers, Eagles and Outlaws youth organizations for her first four years of action – playing mostly running back and linebacker on those teams.

After a championship season with the Outlaws in 2024, she took the big step of playing with the bigger boys in high school.

“At first, I questioned myself (to play in high school), I’m outsized and out-aged. But what made me play was the hard work I did throughout my years. Playing football made me realize how capable I was to do anything. Everyone used to tell me I was not good enough to play with boys because I could get hurt, but I didn’t let them put me down. I proved that I can take a hit and definitely give one back!”

How about the nerves? It’s fun, but still a scary sport to play.

“I get scared, definitely. But I use that fear and turn it into power and fire!!”

– Johnnie Brub

As for being the only girl on the Southern squad, she puts in the work just like the rest of the guys and earns her playing time.

“It really doesn’t make a difference. I do what the boys do. But to me, being the only girl on the team makes me feel like I’m able to go above and beyond, past my limits, and to also help them push past theirs.”

Fellow freshman, starting quarterback and team captain Ghesan Gaje is a daily witness to what Brub brings to the team, dating back to last year’s Outlaws squad and transitioning to the Dolphins.

“Johnnie is like one of us,” Gaje said. “She puts her hard work and dedication into football ever since youth. Everybody knows to watch out for her because she can most likely hit harder than most of the boys on the team. She is fierce ,strong, dedicated and one of the hardest workers on this team.”

BRIGHT FUTURE

With just a hint of proof so far and the potential of what’s to come, plus the ‘addiction’ to the game, Brub has as bright a future as any stud freshman.

Still not quite back to 100% physically due to an injury sustained in youth football, the sky is the limit with a fully-developed and healed Brub.

“I have no doubt she’ll get the opportunity to showcase her running back skills—and when she does, she’s going to impress,” Coach Cruz said.

As for post high school. she has her sights set on the military. Outside of football, her other interest is with the JROTC program at Southern High.

“Johnnie is a natural leader,” added Coach Cruz. “I couldn’t be more proud, both as her coach and as her Nino, to help guide her toward success off and on the field.”

And if one Brub is not enough, keep your eye out on younger sister Relyn, an 8th-grade rugby standout at Agueda Johnston Middle School waiting in the shadows to show her athletic skills as well.

Bonus: Johnnie’s first cousin Cole Brub is a big part of the FD Friars defense and their ‘3 Degrees’ offensive power formation. Cole’s dad is Chris Brub (former MMA star), who happens to be the brother of Johnnie’s mom. The cousins face off this Friday night at GW Field.