Zama pulls away from Osan to stay perfect

Every week, a new face rises up to prove that Zama isn’t just one running back and a solid supporting cast.

Andrew Romero rushed for two touchdowns and caught a scoring pass as the Trojans stayed unbeaten in Division II play, rallying from early first-half deficits to rout Osan 58-20 Friday at Cougars Field.

“The guy is just all over the field,” Trojans coach Shawen Smith said of a team whose primary running back is Gabriel Simpkins.

Zama has outscored opponents 142-27.

“Everybody on this team contributes,” Smith said, adding that “obviously, we’re very happy with the victory. But Osan played very hard. I would not be surprised to see them in the (D-II) championship game” scheduled for Oct. 23.

Thomas Diaz, the senior quarterback, accounted for the lion’s share of scoring, throwing two touchdown passes and running 50 yards for another score. Simpkins ran 60 yards for a TD and returned an interception 45 yards for a touchdown. Milo Ivulich caught a 15-yard TD pass.

The Cougars led 8-6 and 14-13 in the first half before the Trojans outscored Osan 45-6 the rest of the way.

Jordin Chapman threw three touchdown passes: two to T.J. Price (35 and 20 yards) and one to Ronan Gleason (20 yards)..

“We played really well in the first quarter,” Cougars coach Tyler Greve said. “We still have to work on tackling. We have to have a better mindset. We have to want to tackle.”

Zama has the week off, then next hosts Robert D. Edgren for homecoming on Sept. 25. Osan travels next Saturday to Matthew C. Perry.