PACKERS PULL OFF 8-6 WIN OVER EAGLES

By Paradis Jolie Fejerang

Into the second weekend of the 2025 Triple J GNYFF Youth Football League Guam, the Packers headed to Eagles’ home field to end Father’s Day weekend as winners in all three divisions of Manha going 27-0, Metgot with 31-13, and Matua closing them out with a tense game ending at 8-6. 

By the time the Matua teams took to the field, the sun was beaming on the athletes as they all seemed to be immediately affected by the heat. Both teams started slow and kept the entire first half centralized with the boys never passing the 30-yard lines. 

The defensive teams for the Eagles and Packers played good games. However, for each impressive tackle and strong defensive lines that they had, it only highlighted the struggles that both offenses had as neither could move the ball and as time went on there was visible distrust on the field as running backs were hesitant to make their runs with multiple passes being just short of connecting. 

With halftime seeing a score of 0-0, the Eagles and Packers collected themselves and stepped into the second half hoping to redeem their messy first.

The Eagles were first to be able to capitalize on their newfound offensive energy as they made their way towards the end zone with quickness. Reveling in their sudden shift into the lead, Eagle Myron-Mitchell Leon Guerrero took his place to kick in the hopes of attaining an extra point, but was completely shut out by Packer Tavion Apatang as he sprinted towards the ball as soon as he could and jumping up as the ball travelled towards the field goal and just to be stopped by his chest.

Apatang knows how important extra points can be in the long run and refused to let the Eagles get as many of them as he could, even if they were already losing. “Knowing that the game could depend on [blocking the ball] and then looking left and right at my brothers; seeing them I knew they wanted it just as bad,” the 14-year-old shares that he was zoning in on blocking Leon Guerrero. “Firing into that line, it was like no one else was there. It’s just [me] versus the kicker and after I jumped up I saw my brothers cheering near me.”

Though they were still down in points, there was no sulking by the Packers as Apatang moved his boys from their defensive to offensive mindset and sprung into action once receiving the kick-off. With the help of Packer quarterback, Charles Mendiola, the duo collected over 50 yards after two plays running the ball down the right side of the field.

As the Packers neared the end zone, the Eagle defense showed resistance before Mendiola took matters into his own hands and found his way into the end zone from 13 yards out to tie the game at 6-6.

The all-important two-point conversion turned out to be the difference in the game.

Having not been able to hold on to their lead and with a failed extra point sitting in the back of their minds, the Eagles saw themselves frantic on the field as they ran through flags and lost focus of the ball throughout the rest of the game. 

As they were in the final seconds of the fourth quarter and back on offense, the game ended with the Packers kneeling to burn the clock to end the game. 

Packers coach Andrew Apatang said it came down to how close the Packers were at the end of the day, knowing that their care for each other pushed them to do what needed to be done for each other. “The instant grit that they showed side by side…A lot of them were [playing as] individuals but they really pulled together and it was a true team win,” said Coach Apatang.

After a dogfight of a game, Mendiola recognizes that the two teams were pushing each other’s limits and still have space to improve. “We definitely need to work on our passing, which is just me,” Mendiola said before adding that he also feels his team needs to work on talking to each other on the field. “The main thing about playing this sport is being able to communicate.”

“We knew this might be our toughest game. No doubt,” Apatang agreed with Mendiola and followed with much appreciation for such an evenly matched game so early on in the season. “The Eagles are such a good team. They have so much potential and we look forward to getting to see them in the playoffs.”

Week 2 Results

MANHA

Raiders 21, Cowboys 20

Outlaws 8, Steelers 7

Angels 21, Crusaders 0

Packers 27, Eagles 0

METGOT

Raiders 12, Cowboys 6

Steelers 13, Outlaws 7

Angels 28, Crusaders 7

Packers 31, Eagles 13

MATUA

Cowboys 30, Raiders 6

Outlaws 30, Steelers 0

Angels 54, Crusaders 14

Packers 8, Eagles 6