High school football Week 8 lookback: What we learned in Japan, Guam
Published: October 18, 2008
-- Johnell Alexander could have every reason to style, pound his chest and throw his arms in the air for every one of his 12 touchdowns this season. But you won't see a hint of that in the Robert D. Edgren Eagles senior, who is within three of scoring more times thanEdgren's entire Fantastic Four did last season. "He's an incredibly humble kid," coach Chris Waite said of Alexander. "He's one of those example kids, a leader. He plays both ways, never wants to leave the field and gives the same effort on both defense and offense."
-- Nile C. Kinnick, which fell to Edgren 19-6 at home on Friday, will certainly work on center exchanges with the quarterback out of the shotgun during practice for its homecoming vs. Zama this coming Friday. That bit of difficulty caused four turnovers, which ultimately doomed the Red Devils. Other than that, another sparkling performance by Jon Bollinger (9-for-20, 107 yards, 57 yards on eight carries).
-- Special teams can sometimes be overlooked, but for American School In Japan, they proved to be the saving grace in its Kanto Plain Association of Secondary Schools season finale at Mustang Valley. It became a happy homecoming, 37-15 over Zama American,thanks to Joey Benus, who teamed with Erik Sonntag to block one punt for a TD, then took another blocked punt himself to the house. Alex Busam closed a stellar season with a 70-yard interception-return touchdown and a 25-yard TD pass to Taro Tomiya. Best finish (4-2) for ASIJ since 2005.
-- Emmanuel Sloan returned to the Trojans lineup in style, scoring once and gaining 125 yards on 19 carries. And the Trojans defense for the most part did well in shutting down the Mustangs' A-11. But oh, those special-teams plays. "Take those away and we're in the money," coach Steven Merrell said.
