Osan American. Crockett, Gilliam, Rapoza and Co. grind it out, keep Eagles' defense on field and ball out of Alexander's hands.
35% (37 votes)
Robert D. Edgren: Still the champs. "Fantastic Four 2.0" of Alexander, Dennis, Holder and Davis, stingy D rule the day.
65% (70 votes)
Total votes: 107
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15
Dave...There's much more to this team than your so called "Fantastic Four", as was last years. Obviously you haven't seen many games in person, if you had, you'd see it's more like the "Fabulous Fifteen"!
Re: 15
From the star quarterback, receivers and running backs to the linemen and fullbacks who plow the road, from the rotties in the front four to the fleet-footed, sure-handed safeties, from the booming booters to the speedy return men, from the coaching staff to the statisticians to the water carriers, it takes a team to win a championship. That's an axiom as old as the game itself, and as a former water carrier and statistician (I was too thin to play in high school), I'm with KMisawa and eagle9 all the way.
That said, every team has its signature player or players. In my time in the Pacific, Ornauer has spotlighted them all:
Yokota's Ground Machine (countless names 1982-present, most recently Derick Seward, Tony Presnell and Rainey Daley).
Kinnick's Three Tomodachis (George Thompson, Jared Warner, LaShawn Williams, 1995-96).
Air Korea (David Page, Wesly Mallard, Erick "Golden" Molden, Han Ripley, Shelton Williams, 1996-97).
Kadena Wing-T Express (Josh Brant and Robert Eaves, the last two running backs on the same team ever to gain 200 yards in one game, Brant 232, Eaves 236 in Kadena's 35-12 win over Yokota in 1993).
Fantastic Four 1.0 (you know who they were).
They are the ones who carry the mail into the end zone and score the points. They're the ones who headline the stories about the entire team and its total effort. Their feats, documented in the dailies and filmed for the TV, serve as that virtual pat on the back to the linemen who open the holes, to the fullback and tight end who play escort down the field, to the run-stuffing trench men who keep the opposition at bay.
At the end of the day, nothing but love for anybody and everybody who locks and loads and takes the field.
"You like football? You know what's next. Got it locked on Sports Blog Na-tion. Tell your family and friends that Nike-dawg aka da Big D got the lowdown on the rivalry. Buckle your chinstrap. Get ready to play. Time to kick off Cham-peen-ship Class A!"
Seven days and counting!
Eagles all the way
Edgren victory...will be a hard fought battle. Go Eagles!
truthfuly
there is no fantastic four. last years team would have done nothing without the defense playing like it did...and besides johnell alexander out scored the fantastic four all by himself. but im not gonna take anything away from the dudes that carried the rock last year..but theres much more to football than carrying the ball. and i agree about the no 2.0 this year. its a group efffort and a bunch of guys you dont mention in that four that make this team win. were 6-2 because of our line, defense and great running backs. group effort all around the field, and off. go EAGLES!!!
Whats that mean
So johnell alexander out scored the entire fantastic four .......last years fantastic four had how many explosive scoring threats? 4 ......of course if johnell is takin most of load by himself , hes going to out score last years fantastic four..... I agree there is much for to football than carryin a ball but in all reality without a good/great running back on high school football team i doubt your team is a winning one. Theres always going to be stand outs on any team .....of course theres much more to it. Look at the partriots for example everybody in the sports world was saying how deep the patriots roster was and that there was more to them then just tom brady but once brady went down with a injury look what happen to that team. You take away johnell from your team and i highly doubt the eagles would be has great this year has they are now
Alexander
It is all agreed that johnell is probably the player who stands out the most on the Eagles. But as Dave has pointed out on numerous occasions, we love when teams try and key in on Alexander. Backs like Ja'Maal Dennis and Luke Nelson (when he's healthy) give us a pretty impressive backfield. Also we have a bit of a passing threat now soo teams that try an stack the box will find it is of no use. And really Alexander outscored last years fantastic four because he is explosive and has a great O-line that has paved the way to his remarkable season.
1 is better than 4
Hmm, last year you had the fanstastic four, but couldn't beat the Panthers. This year they did. I think that says something...
hmmmm
well for you to say that is pretty funny because almost all the players in the new fantastic four played last year ....these are not new players, these are the same guys that was in the same edgren varsity football program has juniors.....Not 2 much changes in one year...if this new fantastic four is so great then last year they should of been known has the Avengers since they all was on the same team.... but that is not the case.... so what has changed .........i played pacific sports and seen the athletes who played before me ....the competition in the pacific area is at its weakest that i have seen in last five years i been following it ....you can ask anybody who once lived at misawa or any other base for that matter if they feel that the competition around them is has high has it use to be ......there is some good athletes but it is no where near what it used to be
What has changed
Well, what has changed is the people stepping up and filling those spots...they have delivered when it counted the most.
As for the remark of "it's not as good as it was when I played" is a little off. I remember the days when I used to walk ten miles to school each day. Man that was a long time ago. It may seem like the weakest to you but these kids are stronger and faster than ever. So tell us, how was it back in YOUR day?
wow
lol you have to be kidding me .... The last time i played at Edgren high was about a year 1/2 ago and i seen 4 years worth of high school sports while i was there.....if your telling me that pacific sports are gettin stronger and faster you have to be insane......i can really tell you dont live nor know anybody at any of these places who has lived there over the years personally because you can ask anyone who has lived there and witness the talent if its declining or going up and i doubt they will tell you its going up ......i wasnt sayin back in my day like im old ....i was just saying that the level of competition is not has high has it was years ago ...i know this for fact not opinion
Okay
So both your assumptions are incorrect, I live here in Misawa and YOU tell the players that it is not as competitive as it was when you played.
I laughed as well when I read your post. My child plays for the Varsity (2 years now, left corner) and he as well as some of the LB's (Holder), FB/RB's (Nelson, Dennis), and linemen (Chester) are some of the strongest, fastest kids I have seen. I am glad I do not have to play against them.
But back on topic
So got it and point made. See you at the game on Saturday!
Go eagles
Okay you are talking to me like I don't know these kids u mention ....lol i have seen them play.....the truth is no matter what I say about the people in the past vs these kids now u are going to believe what u want so it doesn't matter ..... But back on topic I hope them eagles can bring home that title one more time
edgren
Edgren just won thier game against Yokota, and we are on an emotional high right now, but Coach Waite is a smart man and takes the games one week at a time, he went into the Yokota game saying dont even look forward to the championship, right now yokota is our opponent. Edgrens coming out this week to win a third straight Class A championship.
Back in my day
First, yes Coach Waite is a smart coach. Something Edgren has been lacking until Burgeson took over a few years ago.
As for the other argument, I have been coaching here for over 8 years now and the talent has fallen off in some sports. In football our teams are smaller than in years past. Every year we seem to get a little smaller, and we answer that with "but we're quick." The next comment is that within a few years we will have 11 little Speedy Gonzales' playing back there zooming all over the place.
It's hard though to say they were better back then. It's a great argument but almost impossible to fulfill. Everyone looks back and says the kids were tougher/better.
Back in the Day
We all live an die by the PCS plane. I coached David Leh through his Sophmore year, but then had to face him his last two. I would have loved to have him playing FB/LB for me, but thats the breaks.. As for size, this year we have our biggest team since I started coaching here at Osan 5 years ago.
In past years, we had a large group of half American/Korean kids who were lucky if they every saw 5'10" 175lbs, mixed in with kids from the states. We relied on speed and intelligence to win games, since we more often than not could not match up with the size of Seoul, or some of the other teams we faced.
You have some good coaches out here who understand the limitations, and realize that they have to adjust their O and D based on who thy have on the field. 3 years ago we had the speed and the QB that enabled us to run the Double Wing, with most of our scores coming on runs of 25 or more yards (we averaged over 30 points per game). This year we have size and athleticism, but not as much speed, so we go with more of a power, ground control game, with a stiff defense.
Defenses have improved out here, which is why we are seeing lower scoring games, in which turnovers have on most occasions determined the outcome. The most points scored in a game in Korea by any team this year was 28. Does that mean we don't play good offensively, or that our teams all step it up on D? I go with the D.
One Dimentional
Eagles: hoast of play makers, stronger strength of schedule and experience of both players and coaches
Cougars: one real threat, big fullback, weak schedule and no experience of either players or coaches
Eagles take this one
Expecting A Good Game...
Edgren has just came off a huge victory against Yokota, something Edgren hasn't done in almost 10 years. But its time for Edgren to let that go already and get ready for the Class A Championship Game. Edgren playing Osan in 2006 was a good game, but the players and the aspect of the game has changed since then. Edgren has improved so much over the last 3 years and this game means everything to these players. Personally I want to see Edgren go home with the title and trophy. Better Believe they will be ready to fight for it this Saturday Night...Go Eagles!
Sat Night
Eagle Fans...get everyone out to the game, we need to get that place rockin!
Try the Four (+) Horsemen
Against Taegu last week:
Will Rapoza 14-96 yards
Jesse Crockett 1-1 (played mostly D, but put still came out and put one in the end zone)
Mike Gilliam 11-67
Matt Brownell 14-98
Carl Ditty 2-12
Adonte' Murry 5-25
Tell me which one is the big fullback and I'll give you a quarter
Defense held Taegu's spread to negative yards in the second half....
Weak schedule: hard for anyone to say who has a weak schedule, as its apples and oranges until after Far East. We play Seoul, you play Yokota, so what..
Inexperienced Coaches: Wow, we have four coaches on staff who have been with the progam here since 2004, another AF volunteer who played pro, another with 10 years coaching experience, etc... I would never talk down about another team's coaching staff, especially out here where they have to deal with the hand they are dealt, and do not have a large group to choose from.
You will be facing a team, not an individual.
Championship Shot Every Year
I really enjoy seeing everyone get hyped up about these games and it's only a positive for these kids and the communities that support them but my hat is certainly off to a team and coach, Yokota and Pujol, for sticking it out in Class AA even though they have an enrollment of just 303 students in grades 9 through 12 while Edgren qualifies as a Class A school with a 9th-12th grade enrollment of 300. The fact of the matter is that Edgren gets a pass to the Class A Championship game each year even if they lose every game as there are only three schools in the Pacific competing in small school football while Yokota competes to face the likes of Kadena and Seoul with enrollments double often triple theirs. I am no longer in the Pacific and I am in no way affiliated (nor was I ever) with Yokota but I believe that we should keep some things in perspective. The fact that these students have any chance to fly around the Pacific competing against one another in a uniquely American sport from Korea to Guam to Japan is truly amazing. I look forward to hearing about how the game works out, regardless of who wins as that is what this competition is about.
I agree
i couldnt' agree with someone more ....im from misawa and i agree .....to this day it still baffles me to this day how a team with a below .500 record go out and win one game and call themselves champions.
2 Schools one Championship
I agree, what kind of system to have in place and yes Misawa shouldn't talk about how many championships they have won BUT its not their fault that Yokota has declared every Year to go into the Class AA division but someone has to represent Japan in the Class A schools(Misawa). So, first give credit to Yokota for their ability to declare for the Class AA playoffs but don't look down on Misawa because of the hand they have been given. Look they play and beat the same two teams Yokota has to beat to make it to the playoffs and were not in the Class AA playoff system. Hick, I believe if Misawa had a call in the matter, they would gladly give up a chance for a third Class A title for one run in the Class AA division. Plus, given that they too play the some teams that are twice their size and with school enrollments way higher than theirs. Come on Misawa is out of the Kanto league and still every year Yokota is looking to face Misawa not the other teams in the division. Give Misawa some credit.....the group of Kids have turned an ugly duckling into a swan. Stop looking at the ugly duckling...because your right that WAS Misawa!
P.S. You can’t take something away that was given!!!! (2-time Defending Champions)
?
I'm not sure that there's a rule that says they MUST stay small school. However, rumors are that Zama is going to go small school next year. If that happens it will be interesting to see if Edgren moves up.
Making the playoffs
Seoul=Automatic Bid
Guam = automatic Bid
Misawa = Automatic Bid (rumors are Zama will go down next year)
Kadena/Kubasaki = one team to beat
Osan/Daegu = one team to beat
Yokota = 2 teams to beat.
If you told anyone in the States this they would think we were lying, and when you told them how much is spent on travel for the playoffs and all this, they would think you're on crack.
It's a great experience for the kids, but a little crazy.
?????
so basically you are saying that edgren wouldn't have had alot of success last year if it was not for the defense... that's a valid point but if i can recall, edgren won 5 games last year and were down in 3 of those at halftime (both kinnick games & asij) if it were not for the fantastic four putting the ball in the box, especially Zack and jock, the eagles could have just as easily went 2-6...... yea i believe the fantastic 4 wasnt everything but i dont think the eagles could have won without them..... it goes the same for edgren this year....... no johnelll= no wins for edgren...
Keeping It All in Perspective
It doesn't take even the casual observer long to learn that our DoDDS Europe and Pacific scholastic sports systems, although playing the same sports as other high schools in the states, clearly place participation ahead of winning a championship, which I believe is the right way to go in the long run. As a product of DoDDS athletics (and academics) myself, and now as a coach in DoDDS, I truly believe that I am in a position to comment about how much my participation in sports meant to me and my development as a person.
Not only do I cherish the time spent bent over in exhaustion preparing for a season, or high-fiving my teammates after what seemed like an impossible comeback win, but as I look back the most significant aspect of playing sports for me was access to coaches and educators who taught me more about life and being a true leader than I ever could have learned in the classroom. Dave's blog entry a few weeks ago made me really think about that and how special those relationships were. I believe all of us were impacted (more positively than negatively I hope) by a coach who was someone special.
Although I was a relatively talented athlete; I grew in up in relative isolation from the rest of the world in Panama where the dreams of traveling to far off lands to compete in athletic tournaments were never realized while I was there, and ended up walking on to a Div I football program. I played sports for myself, my teammates, and my coaches, and for no other reason. So, while I love the passion that all of these rivalries and travel opportunities bring, and as we cap off another fantastic sports season, I hope that everyone out there takes a moment to appreciate how fortunate these fine young men and women are to have a chance to learn from some of the most influential educators out there, coaches. Look at the best coaches out there. Sure, they win, but not all the time. I believe the truly great coaches have won some and lost some but at the end of the day they know that they have done their part to help create the next great leaders of America.
I hope everyone enjoys the end to their season, and thanks Dave, for giving us this blog so we can share things like this. It means alot to all of us.
EHS wins
35-7
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Salman Khan
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