After dropping their first three U.S. Forces Japan-American Football League games this season, the Misawa Jets sprang to life Saturday.
Justin Stabler’s 25-yard field goal with six minutes left capped a rally from a 6-0 second-quarter deficit for a 9-6 triumph over Yokota at Misawa Air Base’s Hillside Stadium. It was the Warriors’ first defeat after opening the season with a three-game winning streak.
“Our coaching staff has been telling the players all year, the only team that’s beaten us is ourselves,” Jets first-year coach Ben Mathe said. “Now that we know we can win, the season has officially begun for the Jets.”
Meanwhile, South Division-leading Joint Task Force also forged a comeback win, rallying from a 10-0 second-quarter deficit to ground the Yokosuka Seahawks 31-10 at Yokosuka Naval Base’s Berkey Field.
The Wolfpack improved to 3-0, 1½ games ahead of defending champion Foster (2-2). The Seahawks (1-4) fell into the basement for the first time in four seasons and own their worst record in 24 years.
Misawa 9, Yokota 6
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan — Ryan Jones gave Yokota the lead 6-0 on a 3-yard quarterback keeper in the second quarter.
But Misawa quarterback Darone Frierson, who leads the USFJ-AFL with six touchdown passes, ignited the rally by tossing a 15-yard scoring pass to Rick Gennie in the third quarter.
“When he plays and has proper mechanics, he’s one of the best quarterbacks in the league,” Mathe said.
Stabler’s field goal capped the scoring, and the Jets’ defense held on from there.
“Our defense was on the field too long. We turned the ball over too many times, and Misawa outplayed us,” Yokota coach Selwyn Jones said. “We have to go back and work on all phases of our game, gotta get back to basics.”
Joint Task Force 31, Yokosuka 10
YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan — The Wolfpack spotted Yokosuka a 10-point lead on Anthony Seamans’ 35-yard TD pass to Chris Silk and Qadry Yousef’s 20-yard field goal.
Kent Onuoha sparked the comeback with a 95-yard kick-return touchdown; he later had a one-handed interception. Michael Geddie threw two touchdown passes to Joseph Huewitt and another to Richard Roberti, and Eddie Hamilton had 120 yards on 15 carries, including a 25-yard TD run.
“Yokosuka fought hard at first, but some breaks ended up going our way that didn’t go theirs,” said coach Darell Keith, whose Wolfpack had 36 players in tow. “We were blessed.”
The Wolfpack rolled up 480 yards of offense. Harry Davis led the defense with 10 tackles before leaving with a knee injury. Donald Flintroy had two sacks and two forced fumbles. Terrell Bennett led the Seahawks with 185 yards on 18 carries.
“Bad coverage,” Seahawks coach James Price said. “Our defensive backs just couldn’t contain.”
