American School In Japan's Andreas Elstrom catches a pass in front of Zama's Chayden Williams. (Dustin Perry/Special to Stripes)

CAMP ZAMA, Japan – Stingy defense and horrid weather combined to hold two high-scoring Japan teams’ offenses in check, with Zama posting the game’s only touchdown in a critical Friday showdown between Division II title contenders.

Keahnu Araki caught a 3-yard scoring pass from Will Schmiedel and Jaydn Parker booted the extra point, and the Trojans defense made a crucial goal-line stand near the end of the first half as Zama prevailed 7-0 over American School In Japan in a game played in driving rain.

“Special teams and the offense did their jobs. The defense was lights out as usual and kept ASIJ out of the end zone,” said coach Scott Bolin of the Trojans, who improved to 4-0 on the season but were far below their 33 points-per-game scoring average.

“It was a field-position battle early, then the rain kicked in and we were able to hold on,” Bolin said. “That is a solid ASIJ team. We enjoyed playing them.”

For the Mustangs (1-1), it was also a different outcome than their D-II season opener three weeks ago, when they beat Osan American 45-6 at Mustang Valley.

“It could have gone either way,” ASIJ coach and athletics director Tim Jacobsson said. “Things weren’t clicking like we hoped. The boys will learn a lot from this game.”

Homecoming headlines the two teams’ next games. Zama hosts Robert D. Edgren next Friday at 6 p.m., while ASIJ travels to Yokota for the Panthers’ 50th anniversary homecoming game, also at 6 p.m. Friday.

American School In Japan's Shou Murakami-Moses skies for a pass, surrounded by four Zama defenders and in a driving rain. (Dustin Perry/Special to Stripes)

American School In Japan's Noa Grasse gets chased down by Zama's Geovanni Joell and Hiroki Davis. (Dustin Perry/Special to Stripes)

American School In Japan's Noa Grasse is pursued by Zama's Caleb Schmiedel. (Dustin Perry/Special to Stripes)