Edgren's Haruki Jones forces the ball out of Osan's Malik Davis' hands. The Cougars suffered six turnovers in their loss to the Eagles. (David Shepherd/Special to Stripes)

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan – P.J. Lorenzo got the job done on offense for Robert D. Edgren. But it was two key defensive stops in the closing minutes that boosted the Eagles to a crucial early-season victory.

Micah Magat and Gabriel Marceron stopped Osan on a fourth down-and-five play at the Eagles’ 33, and Lorenzo followed with a 70-yard game-sealing touchdown run as Edgren held off the Cougars 28-16 Friday at Eagles Field.

“It sure was nice,” Edgren coach Brian Johnson said. His Eagles suffered a 17-2 season-opening loss at home to Zama two weeks ago and needed a victory to stay in the hunt for a Division II playoff berth.

“We controlled the line of scrimmage on defense and the offense just made plays when they needed plays,” Johnson said. “They got it done. Playmakers make plays.”

Lorenzo earlier scored twice, on short bursts of 3 and 2 yards, while quarterback Haruki Jones also scored on the ground.

The Cougars stayed in the game largely due to the play of quarterback Zeus Queen. He rushed for both Osan touchdowns and added a pair of two-point conversions, the second of which got the Cougars within 21-16 in the fourth period.

Osan got the ball back and was driving into Edgren territory in the final two minutes. Edgren’s Terrance Dove sacked Queen on second down, then two plays later Magat and Marceron halted the Cougars on fourth down, setting up Lorenzo’s game-icing TD.

The Cougars hurt themselves with six turnovers and on that critical fourth down with 90 seconds left due to “snap miscommunication,” Osan coach Tyler Greve said.

“Osan has a long way to go as a team right now. I prepared them poorly,” Greve said. “Our offensive and defensive lines had a lot of trouble at the point of attack, both of which are my position groups.”

The Eagles next venture to Matthew C. Perry for their first road contest of the season, while the Cougars entertain Yokota in their first home game. Both kickoffs are at 6 p.m. Friday.

P.J. Lorenzo scored the lion’s share of points for Edgren in its victory over Osan. (David Shepherd/Special to Stripes)

Edgren's Parker Kuns tries to wrestle down Osan's Zeus Queen, who accounted for all the Cougars points in their loss to the Eagles. (David Shepherd/Special to Stripes)

Edgren's P.J. Lorenzo left several Osan defenders in his wake on a long 70-yard game-sealing touchdown run. (David Shepherd/Special to Stripes)