(Stars and Stripes)

AGANA HEIGHTS, Guam – When Guam High needed a spark, Aaron Johnson did the providing, be it in the air or on the ground.

The senior quarterback rushed for two touchdowns and passed for a third as the Panthers opened their season Saturday with a 41-14 triumph over Southern at Panthers Field, making a winner of Kevin Manns in his head-coaching debut.

“Aaron was the player of the game,” Manns said. “He put the team on his shoulders. He led the team well.”

Johnson finished with 183 yards on 12 carries, with touchdown runs of 61 and 15 yards. He was an economical 2-for-2 passing for 70 yards, including a 35-yard TD strike to Juda Alcantara.

Cameron Brantley added 96 yards on seven attempts, with a 5-yard TD run; he also had seven tackles and a forced fumble on defense. Noah Harris had seven tackles plus a 5-yard scoring run, and Donte Parker rushed 1 yard for a score.

Much of that came after the Dolphins scored all their points in the first half.

“We were a bit sluggish at the beginning,” Manns said. “But the defense came alive and shut them down in the second half and we finally got our offense clicking.”

Assuming the season continues, the Panthers are scheduled to host Okkodo next Saturday at 7 p.m. The federal government shutdown would mean the Panthers would not be allowed to play or even practice.

“That’s the next thing,” Manns said. “The league isn’t going to wait for us.”