AGANA HEIGHTS, Guam – Unable to win the DODDS Pacific Far East Division I title, Guam High’s Panthers took another step Saturday toward the next-best thing; they clinched home-field advantage throughout next month’s Interscholastic Football League playoffs.

L.J. Aguon threw two touchdown passes and Tegan Brown made several clutch plays on both sides of the ball as Guam High downed Father Duenas Memorial 14-3 at Panthers Field.

“It feels absolutely great,” said coach Jacob Dowdell of the Panthers (6-0 overall, 5-0 IFL). “These guys have worked so hard. Beyond the shadow of a doubt, they’ve gone out and proven they’re the best team in the region.”

Leading the way Saturday, Aguon, a junior quarterback, went went 5-for-16 for 132 yards, including touchdown tosses of 70 yards to Chance Horvath and 20 to Marcus Domingo. Aguon also had 40 yards on 17 carries.

Brown “never came off the field” for Guam High, Dowdell said. The junior recorded 140 yards on 16 carries, 15 tackles and broke up two key pass plays by the Friars.

“L.J. and Tegan, they have literally put this team on their backs and delivered time after time after time,” Dowdell said of his stars.

Brown helped chase down and thwart a potential Friars interception-return for a touchdown at the Guam High 5-yard line in the first half. Later, with the Panthers facing third-and-40, Dowdell called “30 Dive” for Brown, who took the handoff and ran 48 yards.

“He was a grown man on that play,” Dowdell said.

Other defensive stars for the Panthers were Cabe Robit, who had nine tackles; Cody Burpo, seven tackles and a forced fumble; and Daniel Morta and Juwan Jacobs, who each had drive-killing interceptions.

Guam High will likely rest its regulars in Friday’s regular-season finale at home against Southern at 7 p.m.

The Panthers then get a week off awaiting the outcome of the first-round IFL playoff games. They’ll host on Oct. 20 in the semifinals the winner of the first game between the fourth- and fifth-place teams, who play on Oct. 12.

Migrated