THE FRIARS COMPLETE PERFECT REGULAR SEASON

In the wake of last season’s championship loss, the FD Friars had circled their 2015 season finale against the Geckos, intent to avenge their last loss. Both teams entered Friday 6-0, but only the FD Friars walked off unbeaten after blanking the Geckos 27-0 at the GW field.

Paving the way for the Friars on offense was running back Jake Benito with 98 yards on 11 carries and one touchdown. Fullback Kai Akimoto ran for two scores, including the Friars first and last touchdowns of the evening.


photo by gspn

Quarterback Daniel Phillips struggled in the first half, but completed all of his passes in the second half, including a 9-yard touchdown pass to Leon Shimizu to give FD a 14-0 lead.

When asked what changed from the first half, Phillips explained, “we just had better confidence. In a game like this, you have to come out with confidence and maintain that confidence even when things aren’t going your way. We made the adjustments in the second half to get our guys open.”


photo by gspn

The FD defense shutout the Geckos, their fifth shutout this season, only allowing the Geckos a total of 64 yards of offense. Accounting for two of the sacks was defensive end Kobe Tupaz, who also recovered a fumble in the 2nd quarter that set up the Friars second score. Linebacker Joaquin Mesa led FD in tackles with eight, with defensive tackle Pierre Aflague following suit with five tackles and also accounting for two of the six sacks.


photo by gspn


Game Recap
Akimoto’s first score from 16 yards out came in the 2nd quarter after the relentless ground work from Jake Benito on the drive. Friars kicker Jerome Artero nailed a perfect extra point to give FD the 7-0 lead.

The Geckos couldn’t advance past the two yard line in four tries with Tupaz getting a sack on Santos to cause the turnover on downs.

The defense kept up their momentum in the 2nd quarter after Mesa had stripped the ball carrier Quitugua while the ball was recovered by Tupaz.

The Friar offense then turned to Phillips where he first connected with receiver Devin Sudo for a 39-yard bomb. Phillips then hit running back Leon Shimizu, who was lined up as a receiver, for a 9-yard score to take a 14-0 lead. Shimizu took a swing pass and benefited from a block from halfback De’Aundre Cruz for the score.

FD then forced a three-and-out allowing the run game to take shape with Benito capping off their drive midway through the 4th quarter for a commanding 21-0 lead.

A fumbled catch on the ensuing kick off from Quitugua allowed the Friars to pound the ground for 10 yards and a Akimoto score from two yards out.