Brandon MassieSoccer
Robert D. Edgren, Japan
Last week: Contributed greatly at the service line as the Dragons beat Okinawa Christian International in straight sets on Oct. 28, completing an unbeaten season in 10 Okinawa Activities Council regular-season matches. Gorry, a senior, hit 28 of her 30 attempts, including 16 service winners, eight of those aces. Nine of those winners came in Kubasaki’s 25-5 first set, and the Dragons went on to close out the Crusaders 25-17, 25-6. “She was very consistent, and at this point of the season, that’s what we’re asking for,” coach Chris Kelly said. “If she gets going and serves well, the team gets going. She got us off on the right foot.”
Matt SalazarFootball Robert D. Edgren, Japan
Last week: Caught two big passes — TD receptions of 33 and 80 yards, the latter proving to be the backbreaker as the Eagles scored five unanswered touchdowns Saturday in a 35-7 home victory over Osan American for their third straight Far East Class A football championship. Salazar, a senior, helped lead Edgren to its finest season in school history — a 7-2 overall record, 5-1 in the DODDS-Japan Football League, and a landmark 20-18 victory on Oct. 24 over 10 time DODDS-JFL and Kanto Plain Association of Secondary Schools champion Yokota. “He became a complete player this season,” coach Chris Waite said of Salazar, used primarily as a blocker in the Eagles’ run-oriented scheme. “He realized his job is not to catch passes, but to block on a running team. He stepped up to that contribution.”
— Selected by Stars and Stripes staff
