FRIARS STEAM ROLL PANTHERS IN SEMIFINALS

FD accumulated 503 yards of offense, blowing out the Guam High Panthers 51-13 in their semifinals game Friday night at the GW field. The unbeaten Friars have made it back to the championship game and are looking to bring home the team's first title since the 2007-08 season.

photo by gspn

A 9-7 game in the 1st quarter quickly got out of hand in the 2nd where FD scored four touchdowns to take a halftime lead of 37-7.

Friars receiver Devin Sudo had three touchdowns on the night, two from the air via quarterback Daniel Phillips, and an 82-yard reverse play on the Friars opening offensive drive.

photo by gspn

“I think it was all the penalties and all the on field fighting,” said Sudo on what sparked the Friars offensive to create separation. “The extra week of rest really pumped us up too, we all really wanted to play.”

Running back De’Aundre Cruz totalled 165 yards on the ground only having played in the first half and fullback Jake Benito led the team in rushing touchdowns with two to go along with 73 yards on just five carries. Fellow half back Leon Shimizu had nine carries for 113 yards and a score in the 3rd quarter.

Another empty offensive trip gave the Friars back the ball where they then turned to Benito on a fullback give for a 26-yard touchdown to take a 30-7 advantage. Shimizu then ended the half on a 61-yard barn burner to the end zone, getting FD’s total to a whopping 37-7 halftime lead.

Benito reached the end zone for the second time in the 3rd quarter from 43 yards out and Phillips hit Sudo on a fade route late in the quarter to take the 51-7 lead.

photo by gspn

The Friar defense sacked King five times with RJ Rokop, Pierre Aflague, Kobe Tupaz, and Noah Argallon all getting a piece of the defensive action. Defensive back Roy Taimanglo picked off Jujuan King that set up six points for the Friars in the 2nd quarter.

“I’m feeling pretty confident heading into the championship game, but we still have to play a lot harder. We have to come out with the same mentality next weekend,” said Sudo.

photo by gspn

Along with being mentally ready, the Friars will be relatively healthy with no major injuries occurring against the Panthers. Cruz, who is no stranger to in-game nicks, looks the healthiest he’s been all season and that only bodes well for the Friar hopeful.

“I feel great this week and I’m ready. This year I want to try and get back what we lost out on last year,” said Cruz.