Firefighters prep Edgren football for Friday night showdown

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Derek VanHorn
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  Firefighters from the 35th Civil Engineering Squadron hosted a mentorship dinner here for more than 40 players from the Edgren Eagles High School football teams Sept. 19.

The Eagles are coming off a tough one-point loss at the hands of division rival Deagu High School in Korea, and used the dinner as a rally for this week's Friday night showdown versus American School in Japan while soaking up words of inspiration from several firefighters.

Senior Master Sgt. Dorian Dillon, 35 CES superintendent of fire emergency services, opened up the evening by sharing stories of his time as a military training instructor, emphasizing to the crowd of both varsity and junior varsity athletes the importance of working as a team. The message was echoed by fellow firefighters Senior Airman Bradley Baker and Airman 1st Class Hillary Brock.

"It's important to stay close as a team and respect each other," Brock said to the players. "As firefighters we're trained to save lives, and we have to count on each other to make that happen. That concept is no different for all of you guys out there on the field."

Brock encouraged the players to adopt that mentality, putting the good of the team ahead of the individual, and to treat everyone on the roster as family.

Second-year coach Blaine Miller said the support of the Misawa community has been overwhelming, from 35th Fighter Wing Commander Col. Stephen Williams coming out and working out with the team to cookouts like this at the fire station.

"You don't get that support in a lot of places," Miller said. "Here at the fire station - and Air Force members in general - they teach these kids how to use teamwork. Mentoring from the community has been huge."

Tech. Sgt. Daniel Robinson, 35 CES assistant fire chief of operations who coordinated the event, said being in a leadership position provides him the opportunity to impact people.

"It's important that we're not only raising young men and women to be good firefighters, but also teaching our youth to be good on the football field as well." Robinson said. "We decided to take the opportunity to share the importance of leadership and try to instill a sense of passion on the football team. It's a good way for us as the community to show our support."

Miller's been coaching high school football across the world for 20 years, and credited the unique Misawa community backing as the catalyst for what he called "The best group of guys" he's ever coached from a citizenship standpoint.

"These kids care, and that goes a long way," Miller said.

Last year, the Eagles made it to the Division II Championship game, which came following four consecutive winless seasons.

During last week's game, Robinson's son, Shawn, was carted off the field on an ambulance after a chilling injury scare.

A healthy Shawn will be back at it this week after being medically cleared as having endured a football stinger - an injury to the nerve supply of the upper arm, either at the neck or shoulder that typically heals quickly. He said the event was great and that he'll use what he learned from the speeches to give it his all not only on the field, but in life as well.

Kickoff for tonight's game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.