Y0KOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan – Big-play scoring is back in vogue for Yokota football, thanks to a gang of running backs called the “Killer B’s.”

Raymond Butler ran for touchdowns of 54 and 87 yards, Morgan Breazell for 24 and 51 and Donavan Ball for 37 as the Panthers tied Kubasaki for the Far East Division I lead at 2-0, winning 49-20 on Friday at Nile C. Kinnick.

“They were pretty killer,” coach Tim Pujol said of the threesome who combined for 364 yards on 22 carries. “It all starts with the guys up front providing running lanes and we have backs with good speed who get yards after first contact. There’s definitely some big-play potential.”

It’s the second straight week the Panthers have stepped out of their usual grind-it-out character and gotten plenty of double-digit-yard scoring plays. Coupled with the five in last week’s 40-0 romp at Seoul American, the Panthers (5-0 overall, 2-0 D-I) have 11 big-play touchdowns in two games.

“I have no problem with us going five yards a pop and taking six to eight minutes to do it,” Pujol said. “But we definitely had some big runs today.”

Stanley Speed also got into the big-play act, rushing three times for 114 yards, including a 54-yard TD burst. He also intercepted a pass in the closing moments.

Despite falling behind 35-0 in the game’s first 20 minutes, the Red Devils (3-3, 0-2) did not give up, scoring three times in the second half, what coach Dan Joley called the “best we’ve played” in defeat all season.

“We didn’t back down from anything,” Joley said. “I feel so good for these guys, the way they finished and how excited they were about the way they finished. This is the best I’ve ever felt after a loss.”

Marcus Boatwright had a season-high 123 yards and a touchdown on nine carries plus nine tackles. Quinton Holden added a touchdown run and 93 yards on 12 attempts, and Dustin Wilso also rushed for a TD. LaTendre Paylor, in his freshman debut, had 11 tackles and Alex Banks nine, two for losses.

“Kinnick showed a lot of heart. Quinton and Dustin did some good things,” Pujol said, noting that the Panthers still have the lion’s share of their D-I schedule to play, including back-to-back clashes at Kubasaki on Sept. 27 and home vs. Kadena on Nov. 3. “We have a way to go yet,” he said.

Kinnick hosts Seoul American at 4 p.m. Saturday, while American School In Japan tries to avenge its 27-21 loss earlier this month when it visits Yokota at 7 p.m. Friday.

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