Things learned, observed around Zama American football camp
Published: August 15, 2012
-- No secret what coach Steven Merrell and the Trojans will do offensively; he’s been running the same thing for five years.
-- Just a question of how well they’ll do it with half of the “Thunder and Lightning” backfield, Mitchell Harrison, sidelined until late September by shoulder surgery last spring.
-- Senior fullback partner Andre Encarnacion looks primed and fit. Hopefully, no ankle issues this season.
-- Nice to see RayVaughn King come over from basketball; he’ll quarterback and one of his favorite targets, natch, will be sure-handed returning receiver David Coleman, a fellow hoopster.
-- We’ll see how well Chad Wilder’s mat skills (reigning Far East Tournament outstanding wrestler) translate over to the gridiron. Merrell likes his ability and discipline.
-- Oh, how nice Texas was to Trojans Nation. Juniors Kalob Gunn (line, linebacker) and Rafael Morales (running back-linebacker) stepped off the PCS plane and should have immediate impact.
-- What Merrell wouldn’t have given for another year of eligibility for 2009 Division II title-team holdover lineman Roland Cote. Or others from that line, for that matter; this one is very green.
-- Come the 2013 season, no more Kanto teams will play on grass; Trojans Field at Zama and Reid Memorial Stadium at Naval Air Facility Atsugi are each due to get field turf.
