Musings and mutterings just a week before the Far East high school football playoffs kick off:
-- Re: Robert D. Edgren 20, Yokota 18: I'll fly 984 miles from Okinawa to Tokyo and "Shin" 360 miles from Tokyo to Misawa for games like that any time. Wow! That had a little bit of everything, a first-half shootout followed by a second-half defensive struggle, broken up only by that 16-yard four-tackles-broken pile-driving touchdown run by Ja'maal (got it right this time!) Dennis. Trickeration, courtesy of that shovel pass from DeEric Harvin to Derick Seward for Yokota's first touchdown. A spine-tingling scatback duel, Seward vs. Johnell Alexander (the Eagles back won out with 200 yards). And the "ye olde skool" swinging gate formation, which Yokota has been unveiling from time to time since the Dick Dameron coaching days in the 1990s.
-- Re: Osan American 17, Daegu American 6: A grim reminder of why teams must take care of the football. Osan coughed it up three times in the first half, twice inside the Warriors' red zone, and Daegu led the Cougars 6-0 at half. Then in the second half, it was Daegu's turn; the Warriors committed three turnovers on consecutive possessions (including a fumbled opening second-half kickoff), and the Cougs capitalised on all three miscues.
Quick-hit thoughts:
-- Will Rapoza's still got it.
-- If Osan's right hand don't get ya, the left one will. Then the right, then the left. They don't break huge plays, but they have so many who will just come at you straight up the gut and before you know it, you're down 17-6 in the fourth quarter.
-- Onside kick by Edgren on the opening kickoff? And Luke Nelson recovers it for the Eagles? Are you serious? Talk about brassy to the first degree. And it paid off, in the first of two touchdowns by Johnell Alexander.
-- By himself, Alexander matched the touchdown total of the entire "Fantastic Four" of 2007.
-- Key on Alexander all you want. Edgren's got plenty of other weapons who'll smoke you (Dennis, Drew Holder, Zach Davis, to name three).
-- As does Osan (Jesse Crockett, Mike Gilliam, Adonte' Murry, to name three).
-- Which is why the Edgren-Osan Class A championship game is shaping up to be a backyard 2-by-4 slugfest.
-- Though any coach will tell you that injuries are part of the business, one must wonder how much different -- and better -- Yokota's season would have been with a healthy Tony Presnell.
-- Lest we overlook or forget, Nile C. Kinnick and Zama American staged a highly entertaining shootout of their own on Friday, with the host Red Devils prevailing on a happy homecoming 45-31. Tremendous performances by Tyree Hunt and Jon Bollinger overcoming the Trojans' two-headed tandem of Michael Spencer and Emmanuel Sloan.
-- Is Kinnick's marching band something to watch or what? The Pacific needs more people like Jon Parker.
-- 121 days.
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Play that funky music!
Re: Parker from Kinnick: ABSOLUTELY RIGHT! He rocks hardcore, and I'm not outta line in saying the Red Devil marching band is amazing.
Wow, Edgren beat Yokota? I voted the other way around yesterday. I thought that was a W for Yokota. Any given ______ indeed!
Invest in Visine, Unca Dave.
Milk: You're Right
Mr Parker's Band (subtle reference to 'Steely Dan' song by the same title) does ROCK. I've worked with them, and you wouldn't believe the amount of hours that go into this success story. Also, not possible without the assistance of Bob Lancey. Jon, Bob, and the kids raise the bar at each performance. Look for us to compete this coming weekend in Osaka! There was a time this season when the band was the only thing worth watching at a Red Devil's football game. Good to see that the gridiron boys brought it last night. Amazing: Kinnick CAN convert PATs - of the one-point variety. Wonder if they should have tried that more often throughout the season...? Now it's on to basketball where I guarantee the Devils will have more success!
Cougars
The Beasties ran wild in the second half after some reflection on their mistakes of the first (which were few). Believe that Daegu was held to negative yardage for the second session, and with the exception of a trick play in the first half (two forward passes), we had them dialed in for most of the night. This was a TEAM effort, and the guys really stepped it up when they needed it the most. Dave referred to us as a "Ground Machine", which is one of the best descriptions I have heard to date, as we do tend to "grind" the other side down when we find our groove. 289 yards on 47 carries from 5 backs... I will take that any day. What a season, starting out 0-2 and ending up 3-3
I really hope Ken W. is back at Daegu next year, as he is what Daegu has needed to bring that talented, HEARTY bunch together down south. See you next week at Misawa
winning formula in osan
Osan has been always known since Coach Alvarado had been coach as a running team and why not? Osan had Jackson Dayberry,Terence Stephens, William Rapoza, and Carlos Albaladejo on our team. Once the team went back to the run, they went back to their strength with the great running of William Rapoza and the monsters before him in Michael Gilliam and Jesse Crockett. Just as an alum i want to say i'm very proud of them and wish them luck next weekend at Misawa. Bring that trophey back to Osan like we did in 05!!
Edgren upsetting Yokota
That is awesome, i knew they would do it. we should have done it back in 2006. but how awesome to take away yokota's mainland winning streak. congrats to them. i also think the trophy is staying in misawa where it belongs, where it has been for 2 years, lets show another 23-0 embarrassment like 2006. Good luck eagles!
Embarrassment?
If you were at the game you would know that is was hardly an embarrassment. We made a few turnovers at the wrong time, in addition to having lost four key starters (3 who went both ways) the week before in the Korea Championship game against Seoul (who won the AA Title that year), which gave us very little depth, especially after Carlos went down in the 3rd. The game was hard fought, as I am sure the one next week will be.
we lost zach in the first quarter
i played in that game buddy, and if you dont call a 23-0 loss in a championship game embarrassing regardless something is wrong?
No I don't
Sorry, we could have played better, but we did not feel as though you embarrassed us in any way. If you were at the first game in 05, were you embarrassed by the fact that we beat you 16-14, after you led 14-0 in the first quarter? Probably a bit *****, but not embarrassed.
Since you seem to be going down the "I was there and we blew you out" route, I will defer to Dave O since he was also there and will provide a neutral view. Dave?
and by the way, my name is not buddy.
Deference and neutral views
The 2005 Class A championship was played on an unseasonably warm Nov. 5 afternoon, temps in the 70s (I was wearing shorts), and a joyous crowd of about 2,000, including tailgaters at the barracks across the way and about half the security forces.
When Edgren went up 14-0, I'm sitting there going, man, they may have trouble holding it to 30. But sure enough, that No. 9 in Osan black and teal (or was it an S instead of a 9?) played super hero on all sides of the ball, offense, defense, special teams.
The next year, on that chilly Nov. 4 evening at Misawa's Eagles Field, the red flags went up immediately when Zach Latimore went down with that first-quarter injury. What would they do now? Simple -- play to your remaining strengths, which was give the pumpkin to that human bowling ball, David Leh, who torched his former team for 111 yards. Oh, and that hit on Carlos? I got at least three calls from Okinawa on my cell seconds later going, "Wow! What was that?" (KIDDING! *grin*) Seriously, that carried a preliminary magnitude of 5.6.
It didn't really feel like a one-sided game until you looked at the scoreboard at game's end, going, "Wow. It didn't seem like 23-0." But it was.
Postscript: Carlos was fine the next day.
Truly, neither side had anything to be embarrassed about in either game. Both teams played gallantly and kept fighting on, right to the end.
Let's hope for more of the same. A week and 3 1/2 hours until kickoff as I type this. :)
you guys played great
you guys played great in 2005, we got in way over our head and just curled up and let you guys beat us. but korea was awesome. your fans and support defently helped you out, as dave said, about 2000 plus. the fact is as time goes on people only have brief memory of the game, all they see is the score. and i hope you and edgren have a great game. high school football is a past time for me. and i would love to see you guys play. enjoy it while it last.
EA 2008
As a coach here at Osan, I hope to enjoy working with these young men for a few more years.
It will be a good game for sure, and I know that Coach W. has something up his sleeve. I had the pleasure of coaching David Leh before he transfered to Edgren. When he fumbled in the 05 game on a critical drive, I was happy for us, but felt bad for him, as I knew what kind of young man he was (had known him since he was around 9). To see him with the trophy the next year hurt, but the look on his face took away some of the sting, and I was proud of the way he had performed.
Looking forward to next Saturday. Good thing is that weather here is chilling up quite a bit. Friday's game was played after a week of rain and temps in the 40's and 50's. I hope for more of the same this week to get the guys climatized.
Tidbits
Yokota is a totally different team with Presnell in the lineup. Paul Floyd has done a good job filling in at linebacker, but he's not Tony. Seward has been amazing, but you can only wonder how much better he would have been if everyone was not keying on him (with no one else to hand off to in the wishbone). He could have played last night, but Seoul is more important. Kinnick's band is amazing. It's embarassing that they travel to Yokota and perform at our halftime every year ... but it's a treat to see them twice a year instead of just once. Congratulations to Edgren, you beat Yokota fair and square. Also, your attitude and sportsmanship after the game is to be commended. Good luck to all of you in the championship.
facts again.
the game would have been different if presnell was in. but again the score would have been the same. its smart to save him for what counts in the playoffs. good luck to yokota there...edgren rooting for yall. hats off to DeEric Harvin because he played like a beast that game. and to Derrick Seward. by the way...what happend to Andy Silva #80? he went out holding his knee? is he ok?
We'll never know
Bottom line Eagle9 is we will never know what would have happened. I think Yokota would have won had he played, more for the defensive contribution than offense. There was one pass over the middle that our backup LB missed picking off, and Presnell would have had it in his sleep. You think it wouldn't have mattered (as you should). We're both speculating and the truth is that you won. Congrats and go get em.
Two losses in one season...can anybody say three?
As a former Zama resident fan I would have to say to all I wish I could have seen the game...good job Edgren. Where are the Guam results???
underdog
i was so glad i went with edgren i knew they had the speed and the talent. The bad blood between yokota and edgren was bound to blow up sooner or later. but i didnt expect it to be the way it was. but who am i to say that just edgren has bad blood with yokota now, over all yokota is a good team but the underdog will always win.
CONGRADS EDGREN
KrystleW
I would have to disagree with you on several points:
First, I don't think it is bad blood. It is a very physical, competitive, and heated competition but there is nothing but respect for/from both programs, as least as I have seen. Nearly all the smack talking that goes on here is from parents, former players, or the student body who aren't even suited up. Those on the field play all out but clean.
Second, what do you mean "blow up?" That sounds like there was a fight or something after the game. In fact it was a very nice show of sportsmanship from both teams.
Third, the underdog normally doesn't win. Most people want to see them win, but it doesn't happen that often.
blow up
it wasnt really met to be a fight it was just bound to happen from what i understand that it was a good game. and i do agree the bad blood is with everyone outside the teams. the game was played well and holder did an amazing job. yes i know that the underdog normally dosent win but its just something ive always belived in. haha.
Smack Talkin
Truthfully you have to be on the feild to be able to hear the talk of the players. Most of the talk is from the players on the field. Being on the feild everyone talks, and its not always nice. Im not saying that all we do is talk smack, but most of it is. Me and the Yokota QB were going at it after he got picked off, but later in the game he helped me up... i wouldnt say its bad blood, but there are certain times when you can tell the teams dont like each other.
Opinion
I would say that's more competitive nature than anything. That will happen between ANY two teams on the field. I would think bad blood is things that happen off the field, or if people are intentionally trying to injure or take cheap shots (none of which seemed to happen Friday).
Agree with you GW
I was at the game and that was the case. There was some hard hitting and some smack talkin but there was excellent sportsmanship after the game. I was impressed with the Panthers and the way they conducted themselves afterwards. Eagles sportsmanship was great as well. No bad blood. Go EAGLES!
Ranking
Were is the Ranking and forecasting. Dave...Dave...are you there?