Kubasaki’s Carlos Cadet, trying to outrun Kadena’s Julius Gantz, left, and Ricardo Gantz, had the game’s lone offensive touchdown. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)

CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa – Much of the talk in the week-long run-up to Friday’s Far East Division I football final was the “three-headed Dragon,” running backs Haustyn Lunsford and Lukas Gaines and quarterback Carlos Cadet.

The Dragons’ defensive players, known by their players and coaches as the “black shirts,” had other ideas, coach Tony Alvarado said.

“They told me all week long, defense wins championships,” Alvarado said. “‘Watch what we do,’ they said.”

And the Dragons’ defense ruled the day Friday, holding defending champion Kadena to 77 yards of offense, forcing two turnovers – one an interception return for a touchdown – and blocking a punt as the Dragons blanked the Panthers 13-0.

The Dragons captured their first D-I title since 2013, when they beat Kadena 34-31 in overtime, and capped the first unbeaten season by a Division I team since Yokota in 2012.

The Panthers were shooting for their Pacific-record ninth D-I title in their 14th championship-game appearance.

Kadena quarterback DeShaun Nixon looks about to throw before taking off on a scramble. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)

Kubasaki running back Lukas Gaines tries to outmaneuver Kadena defender Brayden Brooks. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)

Kubasaki defender Tre Johnson gets a couple of fists full of Kadena running back Hajime Reed's jersey. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)

Kadena receiver Dylan O'Neal tries to outrun Kubasaki defender Tre Johnson. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)

Kadena defender Hajime Reed tries to pull down Kubasaki quarterback Carlos Cadet. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)

Kubasaki players and coaches gather 'round the Far East Division I victory banner. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)

It was a defensive struggle; the two sides combined for less than two trips up and down the field, with the Panthers holding the Dragons to 122 yards of offense, intercepting two passes and recovering a fumble.

“(Coach Sergio) Mendoza and Kadena did a great job (holding down) our gameplan,” Alvarado said. “They were always one step ahead of us. But defense wins championships and that’s what brought it (the D-I title) back to Kubasaki.”

Senior linebacker Lukas Gaines had what Alvarado called the “key play,” a 38-yard interception-return touchdown that put the game on ice 13-0 with 2:52 left in the contest.

“I just saw grass and ran for my life,” Gaines said of his pick-six. Gaines intercepted the ball near Kadena’s sideline, took off to the right and followed several blockers along the Kubasaki sideline.

“As I saw the pylon, I thought I might not make it, but as I got closer, I felt like I could,” Gaines said. “I couldn’t believe I did that. That was the coolest thing I’ve ever done in my life.”

Kubasaki’s first touchdown came with 3:31 left in the first half. Jackson Nicolas blocked a Kadena punt, putting the ball at the Panthers’ 10-yard line. On the next play, Cadet raced to the right into the end zone.

“I was telling myself I have to get that ball,” Nicolas said of racing through the Kadena line toward the punter. “It’s the championship game. I have to go get that ball, and I did. The black shirts. That’s what controlled the game.”

Cadet led the Dragons with 53 yards on 16 carries and was just 1-for-3 for 25 yards; the other two passes were intercepted. Josiah Good recovered a fumble and Connor McBee had a sack for Kubasaki.

Running back Hajime Reed and quarterback DeShaun Nixon each rushed for 35 yards for Kadena. Julius Gantz recovered a fumble, Dylan O’Neal intercepted a pass and Reed also picked off a pass, returning it 56 yards before Cadet made a touchdown-saving tackle.

“That was crucial, a big play,” Alvarado said of Cadet’s tackle.

The Dragons finished the season 7-0, their last four victories coming by shutout, and led DODEA-Pacific in scoring offense (27 points per game) and scoring defense (7.1). Kadena (4-3) was second in scoring offense with 22.7 points per game.

“They played their hearts out,” Mendoza said of his players. “They kept fighting. Congratulations to Kubasaki on a great season. They’re a great opponent and they’re very deserving of this championship.”