IKEGO HEIGHTS NAVAL HOUSING FACILITY, Japan — Defense continues to be the hallmark of Yokosuka football.

Delrick Traylor fell on two fumbles in the end zone, Dayon Banks ran back a fumble 25 yards for a score and Trell Corbin recorded his third safety of the season as the Seahawks recorded their second shutout of Atsugi in as many weeks, blanking the Falcons 46-0 on Friday.

The Seahawks (4-0) seized a 1½-game lead over second-place Yokota (2-1) in the United States Forces Japan-American Football League and kept the Falcons winless (0-4).

Yokosuka’s defense racked up its third shutout of the season — and matched the offense in touchdowns, with three.

“We’re playing our butts off on all sides of the ball,” Yokosuka coach Robert Cole said. “We’re stopping plays when we need to, we’re making plays when we need to. Everybody’s hitting. Everybody’s blocking. It’s a great thing to watch.”

The Seahawks need one victory in their next two games to clinch at least a tie for their seventh regular-season championship in eight years and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Yokosuka has played only one playoff game on the road since 2000 — a major reason why the Seahawks have won six league titles in seven years, Cole said.

“You don’t have to travel. Anytime you go on the road, you always lose a couple of key players,” Cole said. “Just being at home, the atmosphere of home, getting a home crowd, all of that is important.”

As important as defense in Friday’s victory was a balanced offensive attack.

Jimmie Thomas and Damien Williams each ran for touchdowns of 4 yards. Michael Ott threw a 42-yard touchdown pass to Craig Spotser, and Kevin Abney went 5-for-6 on extra points and kicked a 44-yard field goal.

After playing four games in four weeks, the Seahawks get a three-week break before hosting Misawa (1-2) on July 28.

“We’re not clicking on all cylinders yet,” Cole said. “We have to concentrate on every play. We can’t take any plays off. In three weeks, we’ll put the pads back on and get back to fundamentals.”

Yokosuka’s Aug. 3 showdown at Yokota may determine the regular-season title and home-field advantage in the playoffs. Yokota coach Christopher Bell feels the Seahawks’ defense might be the factor that settles the playoff field.

“They have a solid defense,” Bell said. “They fly to the ball and they play smart.”

USFJ-AFL

Friday’s game Yokosuka 46, Atsugi 0

Saturday’s gameMisawa at Yokota, 6 p.m.

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