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Yokota sophomore Derick Seward brings season rushing totals of 1,302 yards and 12 touchdowns into Saturday’s Class AA semifinal against Seoul American at Yokota’s Bonk Field.

Yokota sophomore Derick Seward brings season rushing totals of 1,302 yards and 12 touchdowns into Saturday’s Class AA semifinal against Seoul American at Yokota’s Bonk Field. (Dave Ornauer/S&S)

Yokota sophomore Derick Seward brings season rushing totals of 1,302 yards and 12 touchdowns into Saturday’s Class AA semifinal against Seoul American at Yokota’s Bonk Field.

Yokota sophomore Derick Seward brings season rushing totals of 1,302 yards and 12 touchdowns into Saturday’s Class AA semifinal against Seoul American at Yokota’s Bonk Field. (Dave Ornauer/S&S)

Edgren senior running back Johnell Alexander carries rushing totals of 1,095 yards and 12 touchdowns into Saturday’s Class A championship game against Osan American.

Edgren senior running back Johnell Alexander carries rushing totals of 1,095 yards and 12 touchdowns into Saturday’s Class A championship game against Osan American. (Krystle Weirick/Special to Stars and Stripes)

Want a reason why Johnell Alexander has run for 1,095 yards and 12 touchdowns for Robert D. Edgren this season? Or why Osan American’s big four, Mike Gilliam, Jesse Crockett, Adonte’ Murry and Will Rapoza, have 720 yards on 120 carries the last four games?

Look no further than the five men in front of them: the tackles, guards and center.

"They’re the backbone of the team," Osan coach Duke Allen said of junior Travis Neher, sophomores Antoine Williams and Dominic Olivero and seniors Jon Carr and Craig Parry. "If the line allows penetration, it doesn’t matter who you have at running back."

"It’s tough. It’s not a glamorous position. It’s kind of hard to find people to play those spots," said Edgren coach Chris Waite, who sports seniors Teddy Lang and Antonio Tatum, juniors Ethan Blake and Zach Keister and sophomore Trevor Johnson as Alexander’s escorts.

"In the game of football, nobody goes anywhere or does anything without the guys in the trenches."

Those trench-warfare specialists are key reasons why Edgren (6-2) will host Osan (3-3) in Saturday’s Far East Class A football championship. The Eagles hope to make it three straight Class A crowns, while the visiting Cougars aim to return to the throne it last held in 2005.

In the Class AA semifinals, six-time DODDS-Korea champion Seoul American (4-1) visits 10-time DODDS-Japan champion Yokota, while defending Far East champ Kadena (4-0) hosts Guam High (4-4). All three games are set to kick off at 7 p.m.

As a "pound-it-at-you" offense, Allen says of his Cougars, "we rely on the line to push people back and open the holes. In Jesse, we have a bruising fullback who is basically another lineman in the backfield. He loves to pop people and open up holes."

Unlike the Cougars foursome, Alexander is a flash-and-dash sort who has shined since Edgren’s 18-17 home loss to American School In Japan. Since then, the Eagles have won four straight.

tensity," Waite said. "They’ve put up a more concerted effort, realizing their importance and responsibility. I’m really proud of the work they’ve done."

Each coach said they’re expecting a bruising game, one to be decided in the trenches. Edgren, coming off a signature 20-18 home victory over Yokota, has "a fast, tough team. And they’re able to beat the best in Japan," Allen said. "Misawa is coming off a great win."

Osan, meanwhile, will be "big up front. We have similar styles. We run the ball. I’m expecting a tough game and that’s what I’m preparing my kids for. Leave it all on the field."

On the Class AA front, Seoul and Yokota enter their semifinal with some key injury questions. Yokota senior back Tony Presnell returns from a shoulder injury just as receiver Andy Silva went down with a knee injury at Edgren.

Presnell was limited to punting and kicking duties and missed a 31-yard field goal that may have won the Edgren game. "He feels responsible for the loss," Panthers coach Tim Pujol said. "He wants to redeem himself."

Seoul, meanwhile, might not have senior back Demetrius Johnson, who’s been nursing a pulled hamstring all season. Trinadai Stansel (381 yards, 35 carries the last three games) and linebacker Joe McLean have ankle issues, while quarterback Johnnie Hickson has a sprained thumb.

All will make the trip to Yokota, instead of replacements. "I’m going with my tried-and-true soldiers," coach Julian Harden said.

Kadena hasn’t played the last three weeks, which it spent healing from four tough games with Kubasaki, installing new offensive plays and preparing for Guam High’s spread attack. "We’re ready for the kitchen sink. Nothing will surprise us any more," assistant Steve Schrock said.

Playing the heavy underdog role entering the Kadena game isn’t fazing coach Brandon Miller, whose Guam High Panthers are making their first off-island trip in school history.

"All the pressure is on them," Miller said. "They’re playing before their home crowd. We’re the underdog. There’s no pressure on us.

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Dave Ornauer has been employed by or assigned to Stars and Stripes Pacific almost continuously since March 5, 1981. He covers interservice and high school sports at DODEA-Pacific schools and manages the Pacific Storm Tracker.

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