GTC, Oleai top U12 football

 Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School and Oleai Elementary School respectively won the boys and girls U12 Interscholastic Football League championships as the postseason concluded earlier this week at the Hopwood Junior High School field.

Last Tuesday, the Oleai girls outlasted Koblerville Elementary School after two overtimes, 1-0.

The title game was mostly a battle of defenses as both teams held each other in check throughout regulation, but since it was a title match they had to keep going until a champion was declared.

It remained a stalemate through the first period of overtime and looked as though a third bonus period was in the midst until Oleai’s Samantha Manacop chipped a clutch pass up field to Diana Maniacop, who netted the game winner in the final minutes of the second over time period.

Aside from Manacop and Manicop, the Oleai girls are also made up of sixth graders Rejoice Celeste, Isabelle Palacios, and Viann Wabol on defense along with midfielders Kitana Helgen, De’Jana Muna, Toni Tang, and goalie Leana Roligat. The team also includes fifth graders Katherine Magat and Shea Bashan who play midfield, forward Ainah Chargualaf, and fourth graders Cassandra Camacho and J-Lyn Singeo who play defense. The team is coached by Roxie Lamar.

Meanwhile, the boys finals took place Wednesday with San Roque’s GTC Binadus besting William S. Reyes Elementary School in regulation, 2-0.

In the finals, GTC’s Euly James Ermitanio scored the go-ahead goal from an assist by Carlson Cruzat in the last two minutes of the first half.

While his teammates held it down on defense, Ermitanio sealed the deal off a pass by Perry Tenorio with about five minutes left in the second half.

GTC played solid defense all around as they did throughout the season, blanking its opponents in the final stand.

The team is also made of sixth graders John Carlo Prado and Chad Shankweiler, fifth graders John Bucayon Bradley Camacho, Ronnel Acanad, Santiago Marlouie, Jether Yobech, and fourth graders Jeremiah Cruz, Nolan Gatharngeg, Jacky Ke, and Iverson Santos .

Tawny Barcinas, Spencer Marchadesch, and Erin Mortenson coached the GTC boys team.

GTC finished the season undefeated with just one tie against Koblerville Elementary School earlier in the year.

Other competing teams included Dan Dan, Kagman, and San Vicente elementary schools.

The U12 Interscholastic Football League boys and girls competition was organized by the Northern Mariana Islands Football Association.