YONGSAN GARRISON, South Korea — They’ve won four DODDS Korea titles and three Division II championships in Ken Walter’s eight seasons at Daegu football’s helm. But one thing the Warriors have found elusive is finishing a season unbeaten.
They’re just one win short of that goal, following Friday’s 32-18 victory at Seoul American. Daegu’s junior running backs DeMarco Andrews and DeAndre Rosalie again led the way, combining for 267 yards and three touchdowns.
“We’re one step away,” Walter said. “But again, our kids will tell you, they’re interested in the championship. We still haven’t won anything.”
Walter was speaking of the Far East D-II title game, scheduled for Nov. 8 at Matthew C. Perry in Japan. The Warriors remain the only unbeaten team in the Pacific and can cap a perfect 7-0 regular season with a home win Friday against Humphreys.
Seoul American (1-5) loomed as a big test for the Warriors en route to carving out their unbeaten record, Walter said. Daegu’s first test came against Humphreys at home last month, when Daegu fell behind 12-0, then scored 38 unanswered points to win. “And we put 32 up on Seoul, a much bigger, stronger team,” Walter said.
“We talked about jumping out in front and making Seoul play from behind,” Walter said. “A great job all the way around, defense, offense, a fine group of young men.”
And a resilient group of players, some coming off the bench to spell Andrews and Rosalie, who got dinged up and exited in the fourth quarter. Ethan Truman came in and intercepted a pass at Andrews’ safety spot and Jonathan Evans ran the offense in the fourth quarter.
“We just have so many weapons,” Walter said.
Rosalie had 124 yards and a TD on 14 carries. Andrews added 143 yards and two scores on 12 attempts and Josh McCaw 98 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries. Jarvis Stokes became the seventh Daegu back to score this season, rushing for 78 yards and a TD on four carries.
Defensively, McCaw also had an interception. Zach Fowler had 12 tackles and Miguel Cardona added 10.
“They have some quick kids,” Falcons coach Jim Davis said, adding that when Andrews carried on the first play, “we knew we were in trouble. We don’t have anybody who can keep up with that kind of speed.”
Myles Haynes ran 26 times for 236 yards and a touchdown and David Davison and Max Weekley added TD runs of 12 and 21 yards. The Falcons finish their season on the road Friday at Osan.