Yokota defender J.J. Henderson tackles American School In Japan running back Haru Kent during Friday's Kanto Plain Association of Secondary Schools football game at Yokota Air Base, Japan. Yokota won 42-7, sweeping the season series from ASIJ for the first time since 2007. (Anju Yamanaka/Special to Stars and Stripes)
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan – One mission accomplished, three more to go for Yokota.
Morgan Breazell gained 162 yards on 10 carries, including touchdown runs of 58 and 70 yards as the Panthers continued striking with big plays and avenged their only loss of last season, routing American School In Japan 42-7 on Friday at Yokota’s Bonk Field.
Yokota racked up 429 yards on 45 carries and 184 passing yards. “We had some big numbers tonight and big plays in the air and on the ground,” coach Tim Pujol said of his Panthers (6-0 overall, 4-0 Kanto Plain). “They were really intent on defending Bonk Field, defending our turf, and we did.”
With the win, Yokota swept the season series from ASIJ (2-3, 1-3) for the first time since 2007, and also clinched at least a tie for the 12th Kanto Plain title either won outright or shared in Pujol’s 13 years at Yokota’s helm. A home win Friday over Zama American will clinch the title outright.
Raymond Butler added 130 yards on 70 carries. Donavan Ball rushed five times for 72 yards, including a 60-yard scoring run, and caught a 42-yard TD pass from backup quarterback Marcus Henagan.
Starter Stanley Speed was 4-for-4 passing for 142 yards, including an 80-yard scoring strike to Cody Trask - who added a 29-yard field goal. Speed also had two interceptions on defense. Ke’Ondre Davis returned an interception 26 yards for a touchdown.
ASIJ’s only bright spot came on Drogin James’ 65-yard second-quarter interception-return touchdown. “We ran into a very good football team tonight,” longtime Mustangs defensive coordinator John Seevers said. “They beat us up one side of the field and down the other.”
While Yokota hosts Zama on Friday, ASIJ will entertain Robert D. Edgren on Saturday, trying to sweep that season series from the Eagles.