Pacific
Kadena wraps up military football title; Hansen gets first win
Stars and Stripes
May 21, 2016
CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa – While defending league champion Kadena captured the regular-season title Saturday, last-place Hansen finally broke through and got its first U.S. Forces Japan-American Football League victory of the 2016 campaign.
Shane Geitgey tossed two touchdown passes and Isiah Hart returned a kickoff return for a TD as the Wolfpack dispatched Kinser 18-0 in their first home game of the season at the Hansen parade ground. All games prior were played at Kadena Air Base’s McDonald Stadium.
“I’m extremely proud of these guys, as they have fought hard all year long,” Wolfpack coach Cortez Pree said.
Geitgey threw for touchdowns of 60 yards to Shijuan Rogers, who finished with 92 yards on three catches; and 25 to Kevin Brown. Hart’s kick-return touchdown covered 85 yards, and he caught three passes for 75 yards.
Kaleb Smith paced the Hansen defense with six tackles, including four sacks, while Rogers forced a fumble. Hansen’s defense did not allow the Kings past midfield.
“The linebackers were the key to the defense, as they maintained their zones and stalled (Kinser’s) offense,” Pree said. Hansen and Kinser each finished the regular season 1-4.
Kadena (5-0) rested starters on both sides of the ball but still came away with a 20-point victory.
Gary Brown was 11-for-17 for 161 yards and two touchdowns and Kevin Cortez also threw a TD pass. Quae Applewhite had four catches for 103 yards and two touchdowns and Mathew Woods caught two passes for 70 yards and a score. Lawrence Johnson II rushed 2 yards for a score.
Though rushing by Brandon Stokes, Rahkeem Fair and Nicholas Mack didn’t yield many yards, “three different running backs pounding the ball opened up the offense for passing TDs,” coach Jermaine Baker said.
Desmond McPherson had 5½ tackles and a forced fumble and Lantz Jones two sacks and a fumble recovery. Paul Shaver rushed for the only touchdown for the Bulldogs (3-2).
Joshua Moore had an interception, Terrell Dixon five tackles and a forced fumble, Dakota Waggoner a sack, two tackles for losses and a blocked punt, Tyler Culp two tackles for losses and Steven Jenkins a forced fumble.