CFL leaders beginning to separate from the pack

With a little more than a third of the Commonwealth Football League’s fourth season complete, the teams have shown a glimpse into the rest of the season, as a new red and yellow power is emerging on the horizon.

The Shell Chiefs have managed to complete their first three games without a scratch marring their perfect record. The newly formed team has scored 76 points thus far, and allowed just 16.

Their high-powered offensive unit, led by Clasley Ngeskebei has amassed a league-leading 680 yards, with 377 of them coming through the air. On the season, Ngeskebei has completed 40 percent of his passes, throwing 26-of-65 with three touchdowns and six interceptions for an average of 125.7 yards per game.

With receivers like Bryan Moors reeling in 100 yards, and Luka Tapuaialupe grabbing 68, the Shell offense could easily subdue their opponents with their air campaign.

The Chiefs offense is also fueled by a high-octane running attack that has accumulated 303 yards. It is no coincidence that the two top running backs in the league are on the Chiefs, as Stanley Iakopo and Jeff Boyer have gained more yards on the ground than both the Nitro and the Barbarians combined.

With a pair of touchdowns and 147 yards on 17 carries in two games, Iakopo’s 8.6 yards per carry are the tops in the league. Sharing time in the backfield is Boyer, who has averaged 3.9 yards per carry en route to racking up a pair of TDs and 89 yards on 23 carries.

The Shell offense is producing some big numbers, but it is what their defense is doing to opposing teams that is allowing them to enjoy the comforts of a 3-0 record.

The Shell curtain has allowed a total of 16 points and 93 yards of offense in three games combined. That is not an average—that is the total yards that this unit has yielded in two contests with the Barbarians and one with the Nitro.
A sea of red and gold awaits opposing quarterbacks, as the Chiefs have four of the top five sackers in the league. Juan Kapileo rules the roost, as he has penetrated more gaps with a record 3.5 sacks. Paul Camacho and Chico Reyes are next in line with three, while Dominic Reyes has a pair of QB takedowns to go along with his eight tackles, seven assists, and three interceptions.

Camacho is also the league leading tackler with nine solos, nine assists, and a fumble recovery, and teammate Jered Lutu is dishing out beatings all over the field with seven tackles, four assists, two picks, and a fumble recovery. There are so many performers on the Chiefs that it is difficult to name them all, however; they are not the only squad with talented individuals.

The Miller Barbarians are in second place at 1-2, but with roughly two-thirds of the season left to play, they have plenty of time to take their shots at first place. While they stumbled in this past weekend’s contest, the Barbarians have the type of hard-hitting defense that makes receivers think twice before running patterns over the middle, and a punishing running back that would be tacklers hate to face.

Led by Plasido Tagabuel, the Barbarians have looked like a team bound for the championship. The second rated passer in the league has thrown for two touchdowns, seven interceptions, 173 yards in three games, and completed 8-of-34 passes averaging 57.7 yards per game. He has had some brilliant passes sail through the arms of his receivers, and had long gains brought back because of penalties.

While he has been able to scramble his way into making plays, his rushing total is –8 yards on 28 carries, largely in part to his 10-for-minus 58 last week. One of his key weapons is the heavy-duty running back Chong Won.

A collision with Won is not high on anyone’s list of priorities, and he has blasted would-be tacklers for 84 yards on 26 carries. Alison Kaipat and Ambrose Ogumoro have done most of their damage in the air, catching a combined three catches for 113 yards and two touchdowns.

On defense, the intimidating black and gold swarms opposing offenses with a squad that attacks the ball in numbers. The Miller squad has more assisted tackles than the entire league. Team leading tacklers Asterio Tawanpiy, Shaun Odoshi, and Ben Pangelinan lead them into the fray, as the trio has combined for 119 tackles, 18 assists, 4.5 sacks, a fumble recovery, and an interception.

The Barbarians department of defense also knows a little about interceptions, as standout safety Syl Teregeyo is leading the league with five picks in three games, to go along with his six tackles and two assists.

The story of the Verizon Nitro reads more like a tale of two cities than of one team. With their defense in Tinian and their offense in Saipan, the Nitro squad has a disadvantage even before they lace up their sneakers.

With that said, the Nitro have played two games so far, and though they haven’t compiled the huge numbers of the Chiefs and Barbarians, they have shown flashes of promise that points the way toward a bright future.

To date, the Nitro trail the pack with a total of 86 yards gained on offense and 544 allowed on defense. They have been outscored by a total of 66-8, but this team is not to be taken lightly.

Quarterback Jeremiah Guerrero has been referred to as “the real deal” by a few of the local veterans of the gridiron. Though his numbers might not agree, there is no denying that the youngster has a wealth of talent and a shortage of fear when he takes the field.

When he isn’t being chased around the backfield by opposing tacklers, Guerrero has completed 6-of-20 passes for 97 yards in two games with a touchdown and a pair of picks, including five tosses to George Lieto for 91 yards. He also leads his team on the ground with 33 yards on 24 carries.

On defense, the Nitro look to leading tacklers Keith Neighbors and Blake Manibusan to stop drives. The duo has combined for eight tackles and 13 assists in just two games. Juanis King is also doing his part for the Verizon “D” with two tackles, two assists, and an interception.