Kameron Ramos is one of two sophomores being counted on to man the Perry starting backfield. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)
Third in a series of preseason looks at DODEA-Pacific football programs.
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan – Big, brawny, beefy linemen have been a staple in Matthew C. Perry’s run-first offense since the Samurai reintroduced varsity football in 2013.
That staple is lacking this season, according to Daniel Burns, who ascends from the offensive coordinator job he’s held for three years to head coach.
“This will be the first year we won’t have the ‘freight train,’” Burns said, invoking the expression used by former head coach Frank Macias during his seven seasons at the helm. “Maybe we can develop one.”
That’s a tall order, considering the Samurai don’t possess anyone such as graduated 262-pound interior lineman Maddix Larue. They do have four starting linemen returning, but they’re smaller, in the 170- to 180-pound range, which may make them outsized by opposing teams.
It's also a young Samurai squad compared to last year’s senior-laden ballclub. “Of our 32 players, 23 are freshmen and sophomores,” Burns said. “We have a lot of inexperience, but plenty of potential.”
What Perry also has, Burns said, is speed in the backfield, under center and at wide receiver.
“We have some good running backs,” Burns said of sophomores Kameron Ramos and Jacob Cerros, “so we should have a good offense this season. We’ll have to rely more on deception than overpowering people like we used to.”
Replacing graduated quarterback Jordan Wooten is also on Burns’ list of to-dos. Two weeks into summer workouts, three players were vying for the position, he said.
The Samurai will be tested early and often, as they host reigning DODEA-Japan champion Zama on Sept. 1 to open the season, followed two weeks later by a home game against perennial power Yokota.
Their road trips include a visit to Daegu, fielding a varsity team for the first time since 2019. They also travel to Robert D. Edgren on Oct. 13, when it could get quite chilly, and American School In Japan the following week.
To contend with a full Division II schedule for the first time in four years will require quick development in the interior to keep creating room for the backs to operate, Burns said.
“We have some good continuity” on offense, he said. “But the team will have to be more about speed than power this season.”
Daniel Burns, left, ascends from offensive coordinator to Matthew C. Perry head coach. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)
Of Matthew C. Perry's 32 players, 23 are either freshmen or sophomores. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)
Matthew C. Perry's interior line doesn't have the outsized brawny players it has had in years past. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)
Matthew C. Perry Samurai
2022 season record — 3-4 overall.
Head coach — Daniel Burns, first season (offensive coordinator for three seasons).
Championship — 2016 Far East Division II.
Returning players — 14.
Returning starters — 6.
Key performers — Kameron Ramos, So., RB-LB; Jacob Cerros, So., RB-LB; Xander Grantham, Jr., L; Preston Ramirez, Fr., WR-DB-PK.
Strengths — Good running backs. Four starting offensive linemen return. Good continuity on offense.
Drawbacks — Youth and inexperience. Of the Samurai’s 32 players, 23 are either freshmen or sophomores. Lack of size in the interior.
Overview — Rebuilding. First time in 12 seasons that the Samurai won’t have what they call the “freight train,” some outsized linemen to create holes for the running backs.
SCHEDULE
Friday, Sept. 1
Zama at Matthew C. Perry
Friday, Sept. 8
Perry at Daegu
Friday, Sept. 15
Yokota at Perry
Friday, Sept. 22
Osan at Perry
Saturday, Sept. 30
Sotoku at Perry
Friday, Oct. 13
Perry at Robert D. Edgren
Friday, Oct. 20
Perry at American School In Japan
