Yokota’s Banks runs wild in rout of Osan

OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea – Whenever Kysiem Banks suits up against Osan, big plays just seem to happen.

Yokota’s senior running back-defensive back accounted for five touchdowns and 348 all-purpose yards, including a 98-yard interception-return touchdown, as the Panthers opened the season with a 53-22 rout Saturday.

“And he also had an interception for 45 yards. Which is just crazy,” Panthers coach Michael Woodworth said. “It’s just Kysiem. He’s a difference maker. He’s fast. Super fast. When he gets on the outside and past you, it’s over.”

The two-time defending Far East Division II champion Panthers have scored 141 points in their last three games dating back to last season. Saturday’s game was played in nine-man format. The last nine minutes were played with a running clock.

Banks ran for 205 yards on eight carries and four touchdowns, in addition to the two interceptions. In his freshman year, Banks returned a fumble against Osan 99 yards for a touchdown, something that Cougars coach Tyler Greve remembers.

“That number 80. We didn’t have an answer for him. He was so fast,” Greve said.

Saturday’s game was not just the Banks Show.

Gabriel Michaud had catch-and-run touchdowns of 32 and 51 yards from first-time starting quarterback Liam Douglas, who was 8-for-10 for 150 yards.

“He was so good, even under pressure, getting the ball out to where it needed to go,” Woodworth said. “He was ready. We worked hard on this offense.”

Mitchell Powell added a 5-yard TD run plus a sack. Gabriel Powell, a freshman and the first true kicker the Panthers have had in three seasons, was 5-for-6 on extra-point tries. Kaito Wilson had an interception and Jaden Hooker also had a pickoff plus six tackles for loss.

Sophomore Jordin Chapman accounted for all of Osan’s points, on touchdown passes to Bryson Grant and T.J. Price and a 5-yard touchdown run of his own.

“Osan has a great football team,” Woodworth said. “Their quarterback was really shifty and he has a great arm. They played hard. They stayed with us” until Yokota’s interceptions late in the contest.

Yokota next visits Zama and its own speedy running back Gabriel Simpkins, at 6 p.m. Friday. Osan travels to Robert D. Edgren for a 6 p.m. Saturday contest.

In his first start at quarterbak Yokota's Liam Douglas went 8-for-10 for 150 yards and two touchdowns. (Noah Hong/Special to Stripes)

Kaito Wilson had one of four interceptions for Yokota. (Noah Hong/Special to Stripes)

Gabriel Michaud drags Osan’s Yusuf Sabur toward the end zone. Michaud had two touchdown catches. (Noah Hong/Special to Stripes)