MANGILAO, Guam — After losing back-to-back games in the Far East Class AA and Guam Interscholastic Football League semifinals, Guam High could have been forgiven for mailing in Friday’s IFL third-place game.
Instead, the Panthers rebounded in style, with D’Andre Weaver, Brian Saunders and Raul Bryand each running for touchdowns as Guam High beat George Washington for the first time in three attempts this season, 18-6.
"This is an early Christmas present," said coach Brandon Miller, who leaves Sunday for his new home in San Diego after spending four years on the island, the last two as Guam High’s head coach.
The victory came on the heels of Guam High’s 27-0 Class AA semifinal defeat at Kadena on Nov. 1.
Four days later, the Panthers lost 14-0 to defending IFL champion Father Duenas Memorial.
"To come into this game as motivated as they were … this is overwhelming," Miller said, adding that past Panthers teams might have "hung up their cleats. Words can’t explain it."
Miller also credited the Panthers’ defense, paced by Myron Marshall’s eight tackles and seven by Jacob Wright.
"Myron was a beast out there," he said.
Guam High finished 6-6, only the fourth time in school history the Panthers closed at .500 or better. And the third-place finish ties the school’s best, done twice.
"To come out here tonight for the third- place game the way we did, this was like a championship game for us," Miller said.
Grand opening for Daegu American
CAMP GEORGE, South Korea — Just seven days after claiming the Best Blocker Award in the Far East Girls Class A Volleyball Tournament, sophomore Kristina Bergman came up big again in Daegu American’s girls basketball season opener.
Bergman, nicknamed the "Tower of Power," posted a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds as the Warrior girls romped 49-19 over Seoul International at Warriors Gym.
The game, necessitated by scheduling conflicts in January, came after just four days of practice and one day of tryouts overseen by coach Michelle Chandler.
Boys coach Phillip Loyd had a week longer to prepare and enjoyed similar results, as the Warriors ran past the Tigers 56-20 behind Drew Snowden’s 18 points, which led three players in double figures.
"Most of my players are returners. They know what’s expected," Loyd said. "We’re still not there, obviously, (but) I believe this team is an honest contender."
Elsewhere, the DODDS-Japan season opened Friday and Saturday with Matthew C. Perry’s boys at Robert D. Edgren.
No scores were immediately available.
