Pacific
Guam High can’t stop Father Duenas from winning again
Stars and Stripes
November 18, 2023
(Stars and Stripes)
MANGILAO, Guam – The name Meno became synonymous with scoring and winning Saturday as Father Duenas Memorial extended its records for consecutive wins and Guam league titles.
Vance Meno, a senior, recovered two fumbles and rushed for two touchdowns and his freshman brother Javin also ran for two scores as the Friars blanked Guam High 43-0 in the Interscholastic Sports Association’s island football final.
With the win, the Friars pushed their Pacific record for consecutive wins to 72 straight and island championships to eight in a row. In seven games this season, Father Duenas outscored its opponents 204-0, beating the Panthers twice, including a 33-0 regular season win Oct. 27.
“They beat us pretty good,” Panthers coach Kevin Manns said. “I wish things had been different. I guess we’ll just get ready for next season.”
The game started about 30 minutes late due to a power outage. Rain squalls also drenched George Washington High School’s field, which hosted the final, from time to time.
There were far fewer turnovers for both teams in the final than there were in the regular-season showdown. The Friars committed six miscues despite winning by 33 points. This time, they only fumbled once, on Father Duenas’ first possession.
It mattered not. Vance Meno’s first of two fumble recoveries set up an Alex Sojo field goal that put the Friars on the board to stay.
Joe Vince Meno recovered a fumble on Guam High’s next possession, setting up Vance Meno’s 4-yard touchdown run. Vance Meno covered the ensuing kickoff, which set up a second 4-yard TD run for him, making it 16-0 after one quarter.
Javin Meno rushed 9 yards for a score, then Sojo threw a 19-yard TD pass to Trey Blas and added a 2-yard quarterback sneak, making it 36-0 at half. It stayed that way through the third quarter.
Javin Meno closed the scoring with a 33-yard touchdown run in the final period.
Justin Brantley led the Panthers (5-2 overall) with 14 tackles. Nathan DeWolfe had five tackles and forced a fumble, which Jarius Ward recovered for Guam High.
