YOUTH FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW

By Patrick Lujan

It’s ironic how every division will put the #1 and #3 ranked teams in the championships of the 2025 Triple J GNYFF Youth Football League.

After a full summer of weekend games, the youth league that started with 24 total teams from eight organizations will crown three champions this Saturday at the UOG Field.

The Faha Outlaws has a chance to win two divisions as they are locked in for the title in the Manha and Matua divisions.

Here is a closer look at each championship match.

MANHA DIVISION: #1 Outlaws vs. #3 Cowboys

The Outlaws finished with a perfect 7-0-0 record with an average margin of victory (29.2-to-7.3) and scored the most points than any team in all three leagues (205).

The Cowboys got into the finals with a mild 20-13 upset over the #2 Packers last weekend. They lost to the Raiders and Outlaws and tied the Packers in the regular season to finish the regular season 4-2-1.

The question is, can they stop the high-powered Outlaws to pull off an even bigger upset?

Head-to-head: Outlaws 46, Cowboys 13 (Week 6)

OUTLAWS OFFENSE
QB – Wyatt Tenorio
RB – Keovanni Flores
RB – Lenox Reyes
FB – Keenan Concepcion
C – Masen Perez
RG – Keegan Milligan
RT – Ronnie Malvauex
TE – Maija Paulino
LG – Makai Manglona
LT – CJ Baza
TE – Freddy San Nicolas

OUTLAWS DEFENSE
DE – Matua Limtiaco
DT – Azzy Asuncion
NT – Masen Perez
DT – Makaih Manglona
DE – Taiden-J Meno
LB – Wyatt Tenorio
LB – Keovanni Flores
LB – Keenan Concepcion
CB – Freddy San Nicolas
CB – Maija Paulino
S – Lenox Reyes

Head coach: Peter Flores

Assistant coaches: Jay Tenorio, Mike Gumataotao, Luis Reyes, Joe Cruz

COWBOYS OFFENSE
C – Jesse Zamora
G – Taio Santos
G – Jace Yamasaki
OT – Magas Meno
OT – Arah Ooka
TE – Ikaika Salmon
TE – Keanu Ceasar
RB – Taylin Aguigui
RB – Joe Meno
FB – Atreyu Aflague
QB – Melikai Cruz

COWBOYS DEFENSE
DT – Parker Heldorfer
DT – Romeo Manta Nona
DE – Elijah Zamora
DE – Kane Morrison
LB – BM Billy Maysho
LB – Ashtren Taijeron
LB – Tyler Fernandez
CB – Melody Flores
CB – Derrick Pangelinan
S – Jace Cruz
S – Brayson Reyes

Head coach: Mike Aguon

Assistant coaches: Arsenio Babauta, Cherina Tedpahago, Jerren Nauta, Billy Chaco

METGOT DIVISION: #1 Packers vs. #3 Steelers

The Packers are the betting favorites after cruising through the regular season at 7-0-0 and crushing the Outlaws in the semifinals 32-0 last weekend. They have the stingiest defense in all of the leagues, giving up only 44 points in the eight games – that’s 5.5 points per game on average for the stout defense. Meanwhile, the offense averaged over 28 points per game.

The Steelers (4-2-1 in the regular season) pulled off a surprising 13-0 shutout over the #2 Hal’s Angels in the semis behind the play of star player Patience Ezra.

It will take a lot for the Steelers to overcome the potent Packers, but their Week 1 battle was a nail-biter, so anything can happen in the championship match.

Head-to-head: Packers 27, Steelers 26 (Week 1)

PACKERS OFFENSE
QB – Jayleeana Martinez
RB – Xzavier Unchangco
RB – Julian Lane
TE – Jayce Hattori
WR – Conner Santos
WR – Jordan Camacho
C – Chandler Mendiola
OG – Chase Mendiola
OG – Leila Cruz
OT – Javier Mesa
OT – Izaiah Gogue

PACKERS DEFENSE
NG – Chandler Mendiola
DE – Chase Mendiola
NT – Javier Mesa
DE – Savier Cruz
CB – Conner Santos
CB – Keiden Benavente
LB – Daevinray Cruz
LB – Julian Lane
LB – Jordan Camacho
LB – Xzavier Unchangco
S – Jayce Hattori

Head coach: Drew Apatang

Assistant coaches: Drey Apatang, Aus Apatang, Deon Apatang, Armon Dawkinsfort, Ashten Colucci, Pat Mesa, Luke Murphy, Derik Hattori

STEELERS OFFENSE
QB – Cayden “Kiko” Espinal
RB – Patience Ezra
FB – Courage Ezra
WR – Brooklyn Delos Santos
WR – Genesis Kikku
TE – Coen Blend
C – Alexander Teria
G – Mariano Samuel
G – Kenneth “JJ” Salas
OT – Keyshawn Kelly
OT – Skyler Delfin

STEELERS DEFENSE
DT – Keyshawn Kelly
DT – Skyler Delfin
DE – Mariano Samuel
DE – Isaiah Mwarechong
LB – Roman “JuJu” Smith
LB – Maria Flores
LB – Courage Ezra
CB – Genesis Kikku
CB – Matthew Ham
S – Patience Ezra
S – Cayden “Kiko” Espinal

Head coach: Vince Espinal
Assistant coach: Chelsea Guevara

MATUA DIVISION: #1 Angels vs. #3 Outlaws

Unlike the two younger divisions where the finalists are totally new from 2024, the bigger boys will be a rematch from last year’s title game where the Outlaws won their first ever championship.

And just like last year, the Angels come into these finals without a loss and the Outlaws’ lone loss of the season came at the hands of the Angels. Can history repeat itself?

Coming off tough semifinal wins, we were bound to have these two teams going at it to end an exciting Matua season.

Expect a super tight and hard-fought game between these two. The Angels will rely heavily on the running duo of Jace Sablan and Kaden Medler – and with the coaching wizardry of Buzzy and Blu Shiroma, any play is possible.

Despite a shutout loss in the opening week to the Angels, the Outlaws weren’t too worried at that phase of the season. Head coach Justin Cruz and his crew are more seasoned play callers and defending champs. They will be prepared. Their offense is well-rounded, led by quarterback Ghesan Gaje and the Brub Brawlers (Johnnie, Reylyn and John Rey) are sure to bring their A game with everything on the line.

This exciting match will be a toss-up and too close to call. You’ll just have to witness it for yourself.

Head-to-head: Angels 18, Outlaws 0 (Week 1)

ANGELS OFFENSE

WR – Noah Cruz
OT -Ryan Arriola
G -Aven Rios
C -DJ Poblete
G- Walter wells
OT -Aaron Palacios
WR -Shane Aquiningoc
RB -Jace Sablan
RB -Jeremiah Calvo
RB -Kaden Medler
QB -Landen Shinohara

ANGELS DEFENSE
DE – Noah Cruz
DE – Aven Rios
DT – Cali-Ray Salas
DT – Aaron Palacios
CB – Liam Santos
LB – Walter Wells
LB – Jeremiah Calvo
LB – Jace Sablan
CB – Shane Aquiningoc
S – Kaden Medler
S – Landon Shinohara

Head coach: Buzzy Shiroma

Assistant coaches: Blu Shiroma, Pete Acovera, Daniel Cruz, Nicolas Oakley

OUTLAWS OFFENSE
C – Mason Ignacio
RG – Elijah Manuebo
LG – Shawn Ray Lujan
RT – Logan Cruz
LT – Juan Angoco
TE – Johnnie Brub
WR – Jace Escuadra
WR – Anton Santiago
FB – Joe Boy Fausto
RB – Wilson Nekepwe
QB – Ghesan Gaje

OUTLAWS DEFENSE
RT – Juan Angoco
LT – Logan Cruz
DE – Shawn Ray Lujan
DE – Wilson Nikepwe
MLB – Joe Boy Fausto
OLB – Reylyn Brub
OLB – John Rey Brub
CB – Jace Escuadra
CB – Ynapu Aguon
SS – Zhien Nauta
FS – Jayvier Quintanilla

Head coach: Justin Cruz

Assistant coaches: Rico Concepcion, Richard Camacho, Antwan Clay, Greg King, Chris Santos