Paul Finco, Edgren High School football assistant coach, puts on shoulder pads during the Eagles practice at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Nov. 7, 2012. Edgren had five of their coaches put on pads to simulate having bigger players on the opposite side of the ball to mimic what they will face against the Zama Trojans in the Division II championship game. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Kee)
Blaine Miller, Edgren High School football head coach, leads his team off the field after practice at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Nov. 7, 2012. During practices this week, Edgren focused on the offensive play style of the Zama Trojans who they will be facing in the Division II championship game at Camp Zama, Japan, Nov. 10, 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Kee)
by Airman 1st Class Zachary Kee
35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
11/9/2012 - MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- After going through multiple losing seasons with no wins or signs of a pulse, the Edgren Eagles football team decided enough was enough. The athletic director made a decision and started at the top; a new coach was brought in. He had a history of shaping great teams and could help rebuild a program in need of a spark.
Blaine Miller assumed the position of head coach not knowing what this season would bring to the table for him and his team. Little did he know, his Edgren Eagles would go 2-1 in Division II play and earn the right to play the Zama Trojans for the championship at Camp Zama, Japan, Nov. 10, 2012.
"At the beginning of the season they said we wouldn't win any games and now we are sitting in the championship," said Miller. "We earned the right to play in this game and that's awesome."
For some players, this is their final season playing high school football and a championship would make it that much sweeter.
"I feel like winning the championship would show how far we've come and that we have a good football team," said Spencer Robison, Edgren Senior offensive and defensive lineman.
Zama has beaten Edgren twice this season, but in their division the team they play twice counts for half of a game, therefore counting for one loss.
After their second loss to Zama, Edgren spent the past two weeks learning Zama's offense, including some plays that have confused the Eagle's defense in the past.
"On defense, we did more teaching than playing in practice," said Miller. "A lot of time went in to learning different things Zama likes to run, like their cross-motion, traps and counters."
The biggest thing Edgren focused on this week leading up to the game was the basics, holding onto the ball and not letting controllable turnovers happen. In the first matchup against Zama, Edgren was up at halftime with a decent lead going into the second half, but second half turnovers were the deciding factor in the game.
"The number one thing for us to do to get the win is not turn the ball over," said Miller.
Miller also emphasized the importance of winning each snap and every play.
"If we don't turn the ball over, we win each snap and every individual wins each play, then we will be just fine," said Miller.
Many people might think that the championship game is a foregone conclusion because Edgren has lost to Zama twice already this season, but the coach and players say differently.
The team's recent motto "anything will happen" encompasses their positive mentality about the game.
"It's one game, anything will happen," said Miller. "The whole season is wiped clean it's us versus them for one game."
"We are looking at it like a clean slate," said Robison. "The losses before don't matter. It's one game for the championship."
The fact that the season rides on a single game has Miller and his players excited and confident they can go down to Zama and win this game.
"I think we are going to win," said Miller. "I think they are really underestimating us because they have beaten us twice. If we can just finish, I have a really great feeling about this week."
