Offense not generating much? No problem for Foster. That’s what its defense is for, coaches and players say.

Defending champion Foster forced six turnovers, including Tyron Francis’ recovering a fumble in the end zone, and held Kadena to 114 yards and four first downs Saturday in a 20-0 U.S. Forces Japan-American Football League shutout at Kadena Air Base’s Ryukyu Middle School.

“We wouldn’t be anything without them,” receiver Corey Moore said of the Bulldogs’ defense. “When they play lights-out, it makes it easier for us, especially when we’ve got a lead.”

“These guys practice hard,” defensive coordinator Paul Nuttall said. “We actually practice fumble recoveries, scoop-and-runs, and our defensive scheme is based on blitzing, pressure and causing turnovers. That’s our whole purpose in life. Today, all the hard work paid off.”

Franklin Bryant (6-for-16 passing for 113 yards) ran 1 yard for Foster’s first touchdown and tossed a 35-yard TD pass to Marvel Thompson and then left it up to the defense to finish the job.

Lottie Nash, Arthur Davidson and Tyler Jackson each picked off Kadena passes. In addition to his fumble-recovery for a touchdown, Francis recorded a sack and forced a fumble. W.L. McMullen recovered a fumble and forced the fumble that Francis recovered. Will Good also recovered a fumble.

Neither side generated much offense: Kadena (1-1) got as far as Foster’s 1-yard line in the fourth quarter before fumbling the ball away; Foster (2-1) had two touchdowns called back due to penalties; and the Bulldogs were flagged 12 times for 125 yards, including four personal fouls.

Meanwhile, at Yokosuka Naval Base, Yokota (2-0) continued its early-season offensive pyrotechnics, as Kevin Fortin ran 14 times for 225 yards, including touchdown runs of 60 and 20 yards, and Willie Brown added 125 yards on 11 carries in a 30-8 romp over the Seahawks (1-3).

Ryan Jones tossed an 82-yard scoring pass to Anthony Showers and later added a 5-yard scoring run. Kevin Miles returned a fumble 40 yards for the Seahawks’ lone touchdown.

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