By Dave Ornauer
Published: October 24, 2012
No question, DODDS Pacific enriched their Far East high school tournaments in wrestling, tennis and cross country when two years ago, they re-opened the door to international-school participation after keeping it closed since 2004.
One provision DODDS put in place was, each of the tournaments would be limited to 16 schools/teams, to keep each tournament manageable and not have to wrestle too much with billeting, athletic facilities and base-clearance issues.
By Dave Ornauer
Published: October 22, 2012
Now that I've emptied half a bottle of aspirin and FINALLY figured out the possible tiebreak scenarios in the Far East Division I football chase for title-game space, here's a way we could avoid such mumbo-jumbo in the future.
The new Far East format will undoubtedly be a topic of discussion at the next Far East Athletic Council's video conference in May. Though it could mean a few people holding their noses at such a pair of notions, the following two scenarios can, will and must be looked at, if they wish to avoid the need for half-victories, half-losses and full-fledged headaches in the future:
Bring Guam High into the mix. For one game or for a whole season.
It is time that DODDS Pacific and DDESS Guam recognize that Guam High is actually brethren, not an outside entity, that deserves to have its moment in the Far East D-I playoff sun, instead of DODDS and the Interscholastic Football League playing gnip-gnop with the Panthers on an annual basis.
OK, so one side or both don't want that. Even so, Guam High can continue to honor its commitment to the IFL but still have a voice in which teams qualify for the D-I title game, rid the process of half-wins/half-losses for D-I teams playing in Japan and Okinawa and give Seoul American a fifth D-I regular-season game.
Here's how:
-- Should Guam High remain outside the DODDS playoff purview and inside its IFL commitment ... Have Seoul American play Guam High as a regular-season Division I game, instead of Okinawa. Direct flights to and from. Cost savings realised. That would give all five D-I teams five regular-season games. No need for half-games for Japan and Okinawa. No muss. No fuss.
Another, even better suggestion would be the following:
-- Bring Guam High into the D-I picture, lock, stock and every barrel. Work out a deal in which Guam High plays an all-DODDS football schedule, and in Guam's public-private-school cooperative in all other sports. Bringing Guam High in as a D-I partner would give all D-I teams five games. Again, no need for half-games for Japan and Okinawa. No muss. No fuss.
What rightfully should happen in a perfect world is the latter. It could only happen if two reasonable men who are more than reasonably good at their tasks and could speak with reasoned voices face-to-face at the table.
What DODDS Pacific's Far East athletics coordinator Don Hobbs and Independent Interscholastic Athletic Association of Guam chief Martin Boudreau can, should and must work out is a way for Guam High football to play a DODDS D-I football schedule, but be welcome to play in the IIAAG in all other sports.
The chances of either ever happening? ... I won't hold my breath.
By Dave Ornauer
Published: October 21, 2012
Here’s a breakdown of the 9th Asia-Pacific Invitational Cross-Country Meet, a Far East-equivalent meet for international schools plus Guam High. Providing analysis is Bruce Carrick, longtime Pacific cross-country and track and field observer and gatekeeper of information and records at Athletic.net. Times and standings also provided by Athletic.net.
Day 1
By Dave Ornauer
Published: October 21, 2012
The following has been updated to correct the second and third tiebreak criteria.
Musings, mutterings and the occasional schmahts as Ornauer slaps his wrists repeatedly, bangs head smartly on the keyboard and pins a reminder to his monitor: “Don’t jump the gun!”
DISCLAIMER: The following is likely to give you a headache, as it did me.
By Dave Ornauer
Published: October 18, 2012
The four fastest and most enjoyable days of the school year have come and gone: DODDS Pacific’s Far East Journalism Conference, where some 120 students from 13 schools in Japan, Korea, Okinawa and Guam plied their journalism skills in areas of newspapers, yearbook and broadcast. Gathering stories the first day, attending a breaking-news event and engaging in several challenges on Day 2, then piecing all of it together into four-page newspaper spreads, eight-page yearbook layouts and a 10-minute newscast.
The thing culminated with the hour-long awards ceremony at the Empire Room in the military’s five-star New Sanno Hotel in downtown Tokyo. And a special guest was on hand, Chad Rowan, aka sumo wrestling’s first American yokozuna (grand champion) Akebono Taro; he presented the awards, posed for photographs and did an interview with new Far East press corps selection James Kemper of Nile C. Kinnick High School.
By Dave Ornauer
Published: October 14, 2012
It started with Kennedy Allen of Seoul American, moved through to Kadena’s Elissa Mason and carried on with sisters Amber and Chloe Gadsden of Guam High these last four years, with no small share of challengers making their title runs every bit as difficult as they could be.
Next month’s Far East Tennis Tournament girls singles bracket appears as if it will be no less competitive. And the boys bracket could be its equal. In both cases, DODDS and international-school players stand an equal chance at capturing title glory, as has been the case since international schools have been welcomed back to Far East since November 2010.
By Dave Ornauer
Published: October 14, 2012
“Spirit Day” Saturday was sure a happy one at American School In Japan’s Mustang Valley, if the Mustangs’ sports teams’ performance was any sort of gauge.
Football pounded Robert D. Edgren 47-14. Tennis? A pair of 5-0 sweeps by the boys and girls over Nile C. Kinnick.
By Dave Ornauer
Published: October 14, 2012
The Top Ten
The Top Ten teams in the Stars and Stripes' weekly Far East high school football ratings, with records through Oct. 13, points and last week’s rating, as compiled by Dave Ornauer of Stars and Stripes sports. Ratings are based on teams' win-loss records, quality of wins, strength of roster, schedule and leagues, point differential and team and individual statistics. Maximum rating is 500 points:
Record Pts Pvs
1. Yokota, Japan 7-0 452 1
2 Guam High 7-0 440 2
3. Kubasaki, Okinawa 5-1 424 3
4. George Washington, Guam 5-2 416 5
5. Simon Sanchez, Guam 5-2 408 6
6. Okkodo, Guam 4-2 400 8
7. Kadena, Okinawa 3-2 396 4
8. Zama American, Japan 4-4 376 7
9. Singapore American 1-0 368 --
10. Nile C. Kinnick, Japan 4-4 360 9
Week 8 grid honors
American School In Japan—Haru Kent 66 yards, 2 touchdowns, 11 carries; 32 yards, touchdown, 2 catches. David Hernandez 10-for-13, 209 yards, 3 touchdowns. Drogin James 83 yards, touchdowns, 3 catches. Ken Yajima 38 yards, 8 carries; 40-yard touchdown catch; 74 yards, 4 returns; 2 interceptions. Max Linder fumble recovery, interception.
Robert D. Edgren—Khalil Williams 84 yards, 2 touchdowns, 3 catches; 112 yards, 5 returns.
Zama American—Andre Encarnacion 122 yards, 17 carries. RayVaughn King 3-for-3, 69 yards, touchdown; touchdown run; fumble recovery.
Kubasaki—Jarrett Mitchell 207 yards, 3 touchdowns, 12 carries. Tyler Smith 55 yards, touchdown, 7 carries; 2-for-4, 35 yards. Aaron Stravers 47 yards, 7 carries; 11 tackles. Christian Fernandez 12 tackles. Tyshon Butler 9 tackles. Kareem Key 8 tackles.
Yokota—Stanley Speed 117 yards, 4 touchdowns, 11 carries; 3-for-5, 77 yards; 26 yards, 2 returns. Morgan Breazell 50 yards, touchdown, 8 carries; 48 yards, 3 returns. Raymond Butler 71 yards, 11 carries; 66 yards, 2 catches.
Daegu High—Xavian Washburn 104 yards, 3 touchdowns, 8 carries; blocked punt in end zone for touchdown. Caleb Page 175 yards, touchdown, 14 carries; 1-for-1, 30 yards. Caleb Gosserand 60 yards, 2 touchdowns, 9 carries; 30 yards, 1 catch.
By Dave Ornauer
Published: October 14, 2012
Here’s a breakdown of the Independent Interscholastic Athletic Association of Guam all-island cross-country meet last Thursday at Nimitz Hill Golf Course. Analysis provided by Bruce Carrick, longtime Pacific cross-country and track and field observer and gatekeeper of Pacific records at Athletic.net. Times and placements provided by Athletic.net.
Guam High's double victory capped a very successful season, the first all-island title sweep by the Panthers in the school’s 15-year history.
By Dave Ornauer
Published: October 13, 2012
Here’s a breakdown of the Kanto Plain Association of Secondary Schools cross-country final and invitational meet, held on a gorgeous Saturday morning at Tama Hills Recreation Center. Analysis provided by Bruce Carrick, longtime Pacific cross-country and track observer and gatekeeper of Pacific records at Athletic.net. Times and placements provided by Athletic.net.
Start with the five-year-old girls course record being broken … by a seventh-grader at Seisen International School. Then comes Nile C. Kinnick’s girls’ first team title since 1985, and a first-ever gold medal by a Yokota girls runner.
By Dave Ornauer
Published: October 11, 2012
The Top Ten
The Top Ten teams in the Stars and Stripes' weekly Far East high school football ratings, with records through Oct. 6, points and last week’s rating, as compiled by Dave Ornauer of Stars and Stripes sports. Ratings are based on teams' win-loss records, quality of wins, strength of roster, schedule and leagues, point differential and team and individual statistics. Maximum rating is 500 points:
Record Pts Pvs
1. Yokota, Japan 6-0 448 1
2 Guam High 7-0 440 2
3. Kubasaki, Okinawa 4-1 416 3
4. Kadena, Okinawa 3-1 412 4
5. George Washington, Guam 4-2 408 5
6. Simon Sanchez, Guam 4-2 400 6
7. Zama American, Japan 4-3 388 7
8. Okkodo, Guam 4-2 380 8
9. Nile C. Kinnick, Japan 4-3 372 10
10. Robert D. Edgren, Japan 2-4 356 9
Week 7 grid honors
Robert D. Edgren—Tristan Jefferson 8-for-19, 125 yards, 2 touchdowns; 71 yards, 17 carries; 29 yards, 1 return. Tyrone Bacalso 148 yards, 4 touchdowns, 5 catches; 1 interception. Khalil Williams 88 yards, 6 catches; 58 yards, 2 returns; 3 yards, 1 carry.
Zama American—Andre Encarnacion 217 yards, 4 touchdowns, 22 carries; 7 yards, 1 catch; 1 sack. David Coleman 66 yards, 6 carries; 30 yards, 1 touchdown, 2 catches. Mitchell Harrison 60 yards, 1 touchdown, 9 carries; 1 sack.
Guam High—Tegan Brown 132 yards, 1 touchdowns, 3 punt returns; 32 yards, 1 touchdown, 6 carries; 6 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 2 passes defended. Daniel Morta 8 tackles, 2 interceptions, 75-yard interception-return touchdown.
Osan American—Tim Ampa 134 yards, 14 carries; 17-yard touchdown catch. Ibrahim Mustafa 86-yard kick-return touchdown, 3-yard touchdown catch.
Seoul American—Ronald Dogan 111 yards, 20 carries; 3 yards, 1 return.
Kubasaki—Tyler Smith 8-for-8, 205 yards, 2 touchdowns; 45 yards, 1 touchdown, 7 carries. Ryan Burnette 87 yards, 2 touchdowns, 3 catches; 82-yard fumble-return touchdown. Jarrett Mitchell 158 yards, 3 touchdowns, 12 carries. D.J. Alderman 9 tackles, 3 passes defended. Tyshon Butler 13 tackles; 115 yards, 4 carries. Aaron Stravers 48 yards, 5 carries; 11 tackles.
Yokota—Raymond Butler 130 yards, 17 carries. Morgan Breazell 162 yards, 2 touchdowns, 10 carries. Stanley Speed 4-for-4, 142 yards, touchdown; 35 yards, 4 carries; 2 interceptions. Cody Trask 80-yard touchdown catch; 29-yard field goal.
Nile C. Kinnick—Dustin Wilson 101 yards, 3 touchdowns, 11 carries; 2-for-5, 12 yards. Quinton Holden 110 yards, 1 touchdown, 14 carries; 38 yards, 2 returns.
Week 8 outlook
Friday
Japan
Yokota at Zama American, 7 p.m.—Panthers will face a much different, and much more healthy, Trojans team than the one they pummeled 50-0 on Aug. 31. … Panthers 20, Trojans 12.
South Korea
Daegu High at Osan American, 7 p.m.—The last thing the Warriors want is a repeat of their second game against the Cougars last season. … Warriors 18, Cougars 10.
Guam playoffs
John F. Kennedy at Okkodo, 7 p.m.—Bulldogs finished third in the regular season. Could they make a huge dent in the playoffs? … Bulldogs 19, Islanders 9.
Saturday
Guam playoffs
Father Duenas Memorial at George Washington, 7 p.m.—Who’d have ever thought both the Friars AND the Geckos would be gazing up at Guam High at the same time? … Geckos 21, Friars 16.
Southern vs. Simon Sanchez at Okkodo High School, 7 p.m.—Sharks against Dolphins? Obviously. … Sharks 22, Dolphins 8.
Japan
Robert D. Edgren at American School In Japan, 1 p.m.—Expect the Eagles to do some experimenting and fine-tuning as they get ready for visit to Zama next week in a crucial D-II battle. … Mustangs 18, Eagles 13.
Inter-district
Kadena at Singapore All-Stars, 5 p.m.—Lengthy road trip will result in happy flight home for Panthers. … Panthers 30, Singapore 14.
Nile C. Kinnick at Kubasaki, 11 a.m.—Won’t be as one-sided as Kadena’s victory Sept. 8 over Kinnick, but still a dominant Dragons performance. … Dragons 24, Red Devils 12.
Last week—8-0, 1.000.
Season—39-10, .796.
By Dave Ornauer
Published: October 11, 2012
Here’s a breakdown of which teams and individual runners stand the best chance of winning personal and collective glory at Saturday’s Kanto Plain Association of Secondary Schools cross-country finals at Tama Hills Recreation Center. Analysis provided by Bruce Carrick, longtime Pacific cross-country and track observer and gatekeeper of times and race information at athletic.net. Times also provided by athletic.net:
Overview
We should get a much clearer picture of the Pacific’s cross-country scene in the Kanto Plain Association of Secondary Schools finals Saturday morning at Tama Hills Recreation Center.
By Dave Ornauer
Published: October 9, 2012
Congratulations to junior quarterback Lorden Aguon of Guam High, who was named Interscholastic Football League's offensive Most Valuable Player in voting by the league's coaches, league president Martin Boudreau announced in an email statement Tuesday.
Aguon, junior running back/safety Tegan Brown, senior cornerback Joshua Foronda and junior tight end Chance Harvath were named to the all-island first team, while senior offensive tackle Kind Smith, senior wide receiver Marcus Domingo, junior nose guard Jeremy Acfalle and junior tackle Daniel Morta were voted to the second team.
By Dave Ornauer
Published: October 7, 2012
With Pacificwide invitational and open tournaments on the decline, it was good to see the Warrior Classic return after a 3-year hiatus to the Samurai Fitness & Sports Center on Yokota Air Base.
It welcomed six teams, three from out of area, in what amounts to a pre-season event before post-level action begins next month in Korea, and what few regular-season games involving teams in Japan take place each year. Osan Air Base, South Korea; Andersen Air Force Base, Guam (which plays in downtown leagues); and Misawa Air Base, Camp Fuji, Camp Zama and host Yokota took part in the 5-day event.
By Dave Ornauer
Published: October 7, 2012
Musings, mutterings and the occasional schmahts as Ornauer continues replaying Friday’s Zama at Edgren instant football classic and wonders what the next two matchups will be like:
-- Officiating oversight?: If I had a nickel for every time a coach, athletics director, angry paren and others approached me this season and opened by saying, “Off the record, about the officiating,” I’d never have to work another day in my life. Ever.
By Dave Ornauer
Published: October 4, 2012
The Top Ten
The Top Ten teams in the Stars and Stripes' weekly Far East high school football ratings, with records through Sept. 29, points and last week’s rating, as compiled by Dave Ornauer of Stars and Stripes sports. Ratings are based on teams' win-loss records, quality of wins, strength of roster, schedule and leagues, point differential and team and individual statistics. Maximum rating is 500 points:
Record Pts Pvs
1. Yokota, Japan 5-0 444 1
2 Guam High 6-0 436 2
3. Kubasaki, Okinawa 3-1 412 5
4. Kadena, Okinawa 2-1 408 3
5. George Washington, Guam 3-2 404 8
6. Simon Sanchez, Guam 4-2 400 4
7. Zama American, Japan 3-3 380 6
8. Okkodo, Guam 3-2 376 7
9. Robert D. Edgren, Japan 2-3 364 10
10. Nile C. Kinnick, Japan 3-3 360 9
Week 6 grid honors
Daegu High—Ronald McLean 140 yards, touchdown, 21 carries; extra-point kick block.
Robert D. Edgren—Tristan Jefferson 6-for-14, 182 yards, 2 touchdowns; 25 yards, 6 carries. Louis Murphy 118 yards, touchdown, 3 catches; sack, fumble recovery. Khalil Williams 64 yards, touchdown, 3 catches; fumble recovery, interception.
Guam High—Tegan Brown 140 yards, 16 carries; 15 tackles, two passes defended, touchdown-saving tackle. L.J. Aguon 5-for-16, 132 yards, 2 touchdowns; 40 yards, 17 carries.
Zama American—RayVaughn King 6-for-8, 68 yards, touchdown.
American School In Japan—David Hernandez 7-for-13, 111 yards, touchdown. Haru Kent 85 yards, touchdown, 15 carries; 30 yards, 2 catches. Ken Yajima 71 yards, touchdown, 16 carries; 21 yards, touchdown, 1 catch.
Kadena—Joseph Hermon 90 yards, touchdown, 15 carries. Tyler Putt 9 tackles, 1 for loss. David Pineda 8 tackles, 3 for losses.
Kubasaki—Jarrett Mitchell 95 yards, touchdown, 18 carries; interception. Tyler Smith 1-for-3, 91 yards, touchdown; 45 yards, 10 carries. Aaron Stravers 35 yards, 5 carries; 8 tackles. Kareem Key 91-yard game-winning touchdown pass; 6 tackles.
Yokota—Raymond Butler 163 yards, 2 touchdowns, 7 carries. Morgan Breazell 128 yards, 2 touchdowns, 7 carries. Stanley Speed 114 yards, touchdown, 3 carries.
Nile C. Kinnick—Marcus Boatwright 123 yards, touchdown, 9 carries. Quinton Holden 93 yards, touchdown, 12 carries. LaTendre Paylor 11 tackles. Alex Banks 9 tackles, 2 for losses.
By Dave Ornauer
Published: October 2, 2012
Here’s a look, league-by-league, at the Pacific’s high school cross-country season and teams’ chances at the upcoming Asia-Pacific Invitational and Far East meets. Analysis provided by longtime Pacific track and cross-country observer Bruce Carrick, with times provided by Athletic.net.
OVERVIEW
