SANTA RITA, Guam — No sooner had Guam High put the cap on its 14-0 shutout of Southern High than the Panthers immediately began preparing for their next order of business.

Saturday’s rain-soaked victory on Southern’s home field gave the Panthers a 2-1 record – the best record after three games in the football team’s 10-season history.

Coach Brandon Miller says the team is already looking toward its next challenge — a 7 p.m. Saturday showdown with perennial league power Father Duenas Memorial at Naval Station’s Blue Jacket Field.

“We’re excited about the win,” Miller said of beating Southern, “but we have a big game coming up … to prove that we’re a good team.”

On paper, it might seem a mismatch — the Panthers have never been past the semifinals of Guam’s Interscholastic Football League playoffs, and have beaten the Friars only once.

Father Duenas (3-0), which on Saturday defeated four-time defending league champion George Washington 20-6, has won four league titles and shared four since joining the league in 1990.

Miller is hoping for a change in that trend.

“The atmosphere is going to be electric. We’re looking to prove people wrong,” he said.

One trend the Panthers did buck on Saturday was losing two straight games following a victory. Guam High blanked John F. Kennedy on Sept. 1, then fell to league-leading Simon Sanchez 22-12 on Sept. 8 before rebounding vs. Southern.

Paul Craimins threw a touchdown pass for the third straight game, going 3-for-7 for 80 yards, all to DeAndre Weaver, including a 50-yard scoring pass.

Ray Tenorio returned an interception 38 yards for a TD. Ryan Ford, a senior transfer from Rota High in Spain, led the Panthers with seven tackles and a sack.

The best surprise was Torus Washington, who ran eight times for 50 yards, an important element for what has been viewed as a passing team, Miller said.

“That helped give us a little balance, some confidence on the ground,” Miller said.

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