Senior Jeremiah Drummer is a key returner in the Panthers' offense. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)
First in a series of preseason looks at DODEA-Pacific football programs.
KADENA AIR BASE, Okinawa – They came as close as the coronavirus pandemic allowed last season to a Far East title, posting the best record among Division I football teams in Japan and Okinawa.
Now, Kadena, the most decorated D-I program in the Pacific, takes aim for its eighth Far East crown. The season kicks off against the team the Panthers beat for that 2019 title - at Humphreys on Sept. 1.
And they’ll do it with a group heavy in upperclassmen, 12 seniors and 14 juniors, including 14 players who at any one time started for the Panthers a season ago.
“But this will be the first year that we’re fully back for Far East competition,” something new for his entire group, coach Sergio Mendoza said. “We have some returners, but we’re still growing a lot.”
As always with the Panthers, Mendoza says he prioritizes developing young men, not just good football players.
“Personal growth, caring for others and fighting for each other,” Mendoza said. “A championship is secondary in the scheme of things.”
He does have some veteran players with which to chase a title. Senior running back Jeremiah Drummer ran for 139 yards on 22 carries with a touchdown in Kadena’s 12-7 Japan D-I victory over Kubasaki last October. Junior quarterback Cameron Wilson returns to trigger the Panthers’ offense.
The Panthers are flush in upperclassmen, 12 seniors and 14 juniors, and have back 14 players who at any one time or another started last season. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)
Kadena also has three returning starters in the line, “and we have some guys who came of the plane who will help us” in the interior,” Mendoza said.
The Panthers also welcome a handful of players from their basketball program who “will make an impact,” including senior DeShaun Nixon.
It didn’t help that Typhoon Khanun forced a three-day delay to the start of official practices and tryouts.
Some players and assistant coaches were held up returning to the island by Khanun, which spent eight days in Okinawa’s neighborhood earlier this month.
“We’re not anywhere near where we need to be,” Mendoza said.
Despite that, “the potential is there,” he said. “If we can tap into that brotherhood, we’ll be OK.”
Sergio Mendoza enters his 18th season as Kadena coach, seeking his 11th Okinawa regular-season title and to extend his Pacific-record seven Far East Division I titles. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)
Kadena Panthers
2022 season record — 4-1.
Head coach — Sergio Mendoza, 18th season. 80-19 overall. Pacific-record seven D-I titles (2007, ’09-’10, ’14-’15, ’17, ’19).
Returning players — 14.
Returning starters — 14.
Key performers — Jeremiah Drummer, Sr., RB; Cameron Wilson, Jr., QB; Kai Christy, Sr., WR-DB; Flint Barton, Jr., TB-LB; Sho Davenport, Sr., L; Sean McShan, Sr., L; Neal Kentish, Jr., DB-WR; D’Kylan Woods, Sr., FB; DeShaun Nixon, Sr., athlete; Eric Puterbaugh, Jr., K-TE; Stewart McFarland, Jr., L.
Strengths — Three returning line starters with help off the PCS plane. Heavy upperclass numbers: 12 seniors, 14 juniors. Drummer and Wilson return as cornerstones in the offense. Solid summer conditioning program.
Drawbacks — Late start due to Typhoon Khanun. Plenty of returners, but still growing.
Overview — Contending. Extra motivation in that it’s the first full Far East season since 2019.
SCHEDULE
Friday, Sept. 1
Kadena at Humphreys
Friday, Sept. 8
Kubasaki at Kadena
Friday, Sept. 15
Kadena at Nile C. Kinnick
Friday, Sept. 29
Humphreys at Kadena
Friday, Oct. 6
Kadena at Kubasaki
Friday, Oct. 13
Nile C. Kinnick at Kadena
Friday, Sept. 22, and Friday, Oct. 20 are makeup dates in case of inclement weather or other difficulties.
