Osan’s Jordin Chapman goes around left end for one of his three rushing touchdowns. (David Shepherd/Special to Stripes)
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan – Things were looking bleak for Osan after three quarters.
Then, Jordin Chapman put his legs and arm to good use to help the Cougars rally to their first victory of the season, edging Robert D. Edgren 26-18 Saturday at Misawa’s Hillside Field.
Osan’s sophomore quarterback accounted for all four Cougars touchdowns, including a pair of fourth-quarter runs, and Osan came back from a 18-12 third-quarter deficit.
“He played so well. He carried the team,” Cougars coach Tyler Greve said. “He was ripping the ball in the air. He was lighting it up. He was throwing darts. It was his best game as a player and leader.”
Operating Osan’s nine-man spread formation, Chapman ran 16 times for 105 yards, including touchdowns of 5, 3 and 2 yards. He also was 20-for-33 passing for 207 yards with a 15-yard third-quarter TD pass to Gevonni Lunn.
The victory comes a week after Osan’s 53-22 season-opening loss to two-time Far East Division I champion Yokota. It marks a different type of campaign the Cougars: They went 0-4 in D-II play last season and were outscored 125-14.
“This offense suits (Chapman) better and he’s had a year of development,” Greve said. “A ninth-grader last year, we ran the flexbone, just pounding it. This year, he has some space. He’s a playmaker. So, he’s making plays and that’s helping him.”
Osan’s Jordin Chapman accounted for all four of the Cougars’ touchdowns against Edgren. (Adrian Briones/Special to Stripes)
Liam McDonald accounted for all three of Edgren's touchdowns. (David Shepherd/Special to Stripes)
Edgren's Eli Guinther catches a pass against Osan's Ronin Gleason. (David Shepherd/Special to Stripes)
Edgren's Jayden Marrero tries to elude Osan's Ronin Gleason. (Adrian Briones/Special to Stripes)
Likewise, junior quarterback Liam McDonald accounted for all points for the Eagles (0-2), who lost their opener at home last week 41-0 to Zama. McDonald rushed for touchdowns of 1 and 50 yards and tossed a 20-yard scoring pass to Chris Webber.
“We showed some signs,” Eagles coach Mark Benag said, adding that the Eagles weren’t used to playing nine-man football unlike their opponent.
“We have to fix what’s going on in the line, make sure we finish when it comes to offense. Catch, run, block and follow through,” Benag said.
The Eagles have a week off, then travel to Yokota on Sept. 18, while the Cougars host Zama for homecoming next Friday. Both kickoffs are scheduled for 6 p.m.
