Shutout win for CNMI Sharks

CNMI Sharks quarterback Jerome Norita, left, scans the field before making a pass, while two Guam defenders close in on him during the second quarter of their game in the Marianas Bowl last Saturday at the CPA Airport Field. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

A well-prepared CNMI Sharks crushed Guam, 26-0, in the Marianas Bowl held last Saturday at the CPA Airport Field.

Quarterback Jerome Norita made three TD passes, feeding Isaiah Hartzler twice in the second quarter, while Ben Jones Jr. and Stewart Toilolo scored the two other TDs.

Jones broke the ice midway in the second canto with his TD reception. Hartzler then delivered back-to-back TDs off Norita’s passes, while Vince Kaipat made the 2-point conversion of the former’s second TD to give the CNMI Sharks a 20-0 halftime edge.

Then in the second half, Norita continued to set the direction for the CNMI Sharks and found his target in Stewart Toilolo in the third quarter for the home squad’s fourth TD.

The John Blanco-coached CNMI Sharks then hung tough on defense in the remainder of the game to shut down Guam, which played shorthanded against the loaded roster of the host team.

“Guam definitely underestimated our capabilities this time around and paid dearly for it. Our team was well prepared for this contest,” said Blanco, whose squad lost to Guam, 14-16, in 2016.

“The team did excellent on both sides of the field because of the excellent play calling of offensive coordinator Garth Backe and defensive coordinator Vaeotootoo Failauga Jr,” he added.

Joining Blanco, Backe, Failauga, Norita, Hartzler, Toilolo, Kaipat, and Jones on the winning team are George Lieto Jr., Syl Teregeyo, Derrick Rangamar, Jimmy Blancia, Jon Tilipao, Danny Agulto, Kelvin Fitial, Jacob Yamagishi, Anthony Quitugua, Alex Standish, Alvin Takai, Kenneth Taintingfong, Trey Aiken, Ben Lisua, Tim Asaivao, Misionare Tuitama’i, Pete Lizama, Bill Grow II, Neemia Vaiagae, Charleston Aiken, Paul Camacho, Malani Raaas, Slade Adelbai, Eugene Sablan, Vince Terry, Franko Bondoc, Herman Guerrero, Ropati Tonuu, Prince Diaz, and Jeff Norita.

After the win, Blanco said the team will take a breather from playing and discuss what’s next for them.

“We will get together as a team and talk about more games and also bolster the team leadership by bringing more of the guys into the decision making. We have a lot of potential leaders on this team and hope to see them step up and take ownership of this team moving forward,” the head coach added.