Kadena rallies past American School In Japan

Carson Kenderdine tries to round the corner.

Kadena's Carson Kenderdine tries to outrun two ASIJ defenders. (Heather Mendoza/Special to Stripes)

STARS AND STRIPES

Published October 2, 2026 ·

Known more for his speedy style as a running back, A.J. Webster on Friday showed he was pretty good at passing the football as well.

The senior tossed a 75-yard halfback pass to Dylan O’Neal for a touchdown that gave Kadena an early 7-0 lead, then ran in a two-point conversion with two minutes left as the Panthers rallied to edge American School In Japan 15-14.

“I feel like we turned a corner as a team, finally,” coach Sergio Mendoza said after his Panthers won their second straight game.

Kadena took a 7-0 lead into the locker room at halftime, then ASIJ senior running back John Doll rushed 45 yards for a TD and caught a 28-yard scoring pass from Ray Takizawa to go up 14-7 in the final period.

In the closing minutes, Panthers quarterback Hunter Swartz tossed a 35-yard TD pass to Derryck Miller, followed by Webster’s game-winning two-point run.

“That game could have gone either way,” Mustangs coach John Stanton said, adding that he told his players that this would be their toughest game of the season.

“They scored late and to their credit, they had the guts to go for a two-point conversion, and we couldn’t put a drive together after that,” Stanton said.

The Panthers have a chance to play spoiler next Thursday, when they travel to Humphreys to take on the Blackhawks. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Blackhawks Field.