CAMP ZAMA, Japan – Going unbeaten in Kanto Plain play is always the goal for American School In Japan football, coach John Seevers says.
The season was shorter this year, with the Mustangs playing their DODDS Japan Kanto brethren once each instead of twice. But ASIJ accomplished that goal on Friday, getting three touchdown passes in a 40-7 romp at Zama. The Mustangs went 3-0 in Kanto games.
“It feels fantastic,” Seevers said. “We’ve had some great leadership out of the seniors, a solid commitment by everybody in the weight room and it’s paid off. Now, we look forward to going back to Okinawa and seeing Kubasaki,” whom the Mustangs play next Friday.
Rogers went 11-for-21 for 162 yards for ASIJ (5-1), including touchdown passes to Ray Hotta, Ryan Murphy and Alex Dacus. Hotta also rushed for two touchdowns and Linder for one. Murphy rushed 10 times for 72 yards. Cody Becker had eight tackles and an assist, two tackles for losses.
The game went to a running clock in the third quarter after ASIJ went up by more than 30 points. Jaedon Baker was the bright spot for the Trojans, making a 63-yard run for Zama’s lone score.
“He’s got breakaway speed,” Trojans coach Steven Merrell said. “He got a nice hole, he accelerated through, found some open field and just took off.”
Zama (0-6) finishes its season Oct. 25 at Matthew C. Perry.