AGANA HEIGHTS, Guam – Call Friday’s Guam High football season finale the return of Juan King. And his return could not have been more timely or productive for the Panthers as they captured third place in the Interscholastic Football League playoffs.

King had 135 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries and threw a halfback TD pass to Xavier Jones in his return from a leg fracture, and the Panthers downed Southern 20-2 in Friday’s IFL consolation game.

But it was the way King got his yards that had folks in attendance impressed, starting with coach Jacob Dowdell.

“That kid made some runs tonight, some spectacular runs, some highlight-film runs,” Dowdell said, adding that he could have used King in last week’s 51-13 semifinal loss to Father Duenas Memorial, but wanted to wait until King was “completely healthy.”

“And Southern has a good defense,” Dowdell said, as well as superior numbers; the Panthers (5-5) dressed 28 players to 60 for the Dolphins (4-6). Guam began the season 2-0, lost four games, then closed with a rush, winning three of its last four.

King’s brother, quarterback Jujuan, was 8-for-23 for 115 yards and scored the Panthers’ other touchdown. The Dolphins got a safety when the Panthers were called for intentional grounding in the end zone.

“I’m exceedingly happy, the way things went for us,” Dowdell said. “For us to come back every year in rebuilding mode, not knowing what we have and come out and do so well, I’m thrilled. I’m over the moon.”

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