Musings and mutterings from Yongsan Garrison after Redemption Week comes to a resounding end with one of the great football games of our time:
-- We knew Willie Brown was a good basketball player, but the athletic Seoul American senior seems quite adept where the gridiron is concerned. Try a 24-yard interception-return touchdown and a fumble recovery that set up the game-winning score in the Falcons' 22-21 dethroning of 2007 Far East Class AA football champion Kadena.
-- Trinadai Stansel did much of the rest, running for two touchdowns, then halting big Jordan Ray of Kadena on a two-point conversion try with six seconds left that could have won it.
-- Which begs the question, why was Kadena going for two when an extra-point kick would have sent the game to overtime? "We didn't come here to tie," Panthers coach Sergio Mendoza said. I commend him for that, just as I commend Falcons coach Julian Harden for bypassing a field goal late in the first half and instead taking a last shot at the end zone. For one, kicking in high school is not as automatic as it is in the pros, the fact that Kadena's Aaron Ahern and Seoul's Joe Han each play soccer notwithstanding. For another, the risk can many times be worth the rewards; it just so happens neither gamble paid off.
-- Congratulations to coach Gail Lanier, seniors Anna Lorentz and Gwen Thornton and the American School In Japan for its third Far East Girls Class AA Volleyball Tournament title and second in three years.
-- For George Washington coach Bobbi Quinata, the fact that she earned her 13th silver medal can't be anything but small consolation. I know she won't rest until she finally wins her gold medal, and when she does, oh, how sweet it will be.
-- Bring on basketball and wrestling!
-- 107 days.
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CLASS AA FOOTBALL
"WE DIDNT COME HERE TO TIE"???! DIDNT WORK THE FIRST TIME AGAINST SEOUL MAYBE IT WONT THE SECOND...MENDOZA CAN BE RISKY AT TIMES WITH HIS STYLE OF OFFENSE.. BACK TO BACK RUNS WITH YOUR SUCCESSFUL BACKS? DIDNT WORK WITH THE BACKS OF 06.. OH THE TIMES HAVE CHANGED WITH THE LEVEL OF COMPETITION IN DODDS FOOTBALL..
not suprised he went for two
At the Guam game, they missed 3 of their point after attempts (apparently one of them should have counted - but didn't), and then went for 2 on their last touchdown (I think it was their last one). So without saying anything other than that - is it a surprise they went for two?
Also, consider that they had (I'm assuming) some momentum from their drive down the field, and they just scored a touchdown - they might have felt like they had a better chance to punch it in, rather than going for a kick.
Hats off to Kadena, they had an awesome year - even if it did end up a few yards short.
Anonymous Negativity...
It must be very easy for so many of you, ("formerpanther" included) to drop negative blog-comments in these posts. I make a motion that any negative posting should require the revelation of the true author instead of some clever nome-de-plume only meant to hide the true identity of said negative bloggers...such cowardly behavior is shameful...
I have refrained from posting on these blogs...for many reasons...but this evening I must post just one, especially after watching the Veteran's Day movie "We were soldiers..." as well as the negative post against of all people, Dave Ornauer...not a wise choice to attack...he has done so much for recognizing our athletes and programs in this area...why attack him?
As a non-combatant myself, and as just a teacher/coach in this Pacific Theater, I do understand that what I do is not life and death...it's hopefully only a small contribution to the families of our true combatants..our Veterans here overseas with their families. The sports and games we play and coach are just that...games...not life and death situations that many of our parents and sponsors may face in deployments...it amazes me when I see these negative comments regarding the losing of a football game, wrestling match, basketball game or any other competition. Win or lose, as a coach, I am proud to have the opportunity to coach these young men (and once in a while our tough female wrestlers!) I am honored to be able to coach with (and against) coaches like Sergio Mendoza, Bob Bliss, Tim Pujol, Fred Bales, Julian Harden, Terry Chumley and all the other coaches I've met since '96 here in the Pacific...I can attest for these few at least, that we understand what we do...and what we do is to give the best experience in high school sports that we can to the children and dependents of our active duty members and their families...
Although it is disappointing to lose a Far East Championship (heck, it's disappointing to lose anything...even a cribbage match against coach bliss...but that's why we compete, right?) it is not the end of the world, and certainly not equivalent to the loss of life or health in true combat...
You negative bloggers just don't get it......and I think the negativity has no place here...
I guess it comes with the territory, though...without you, there would have been no need for the coined phrase: "Armchair Quarterback"...(and the jersey of choice would certainly have no name on the back...)
Let's focus on the positive...and with that,
Congratulations, Coach Harden and the Falcon players on a hard fought Championship...
Well Said
Couldn't have said it better myself...thanks for all you do...heck, thanks for all I do, too. In our own way, this our service to our nation and those who truly guard our freedoms. Have a great season.
SAHS Football
Hats off to the FALCONS, considering they were underdogs against Yokota AND underdogs against Kadena. All I can say is WHAT A GAME! Both teams played with heart. It was really fun to watch. Good luck to both teams next year.
Coach Julian Harden
As a coach for one of the 3 Korea teams, I really appreciate the fact that Coach H. took the time to mention the other two teams after the game on Saturday, and that the level of competition we brought contributed to his teams success this year.
We are proud of all these young men over here, sometimes overlooked due to the small size of two of our schools, and the assumption that we do not compete at the level of other schools in the Pacific.. 3 of 8 Far East Championships is nothing to scoff at.
My hat is off to him for this, and we look forward to next year...
GREAT FOOTBALL SEASON !
Ray Rivers
Congrautlions to all the players,coaches, school administrators,parents,volunteers and game officials for an extremly successful Fall Sports Program. Congratulations to all who took part.