Zama's Keahnu Araki takes off for the end zone on a 25-yard touchdown run. (Tim Flack/Special to Stripes)

CAMP ZAMA, Japan – While Zama continued its torrid start to its football season, the rest of Daegu’s may be in doubt.

Running backs Keahnu Araki, Denver Dait and Roman Romero each rushed for touchdowns to power the Trojans to a 22-0 victory over the Warriors in a game ended with just over five minutes left in the first quarter due to injuries to several Daegu players.

Four Warriors players were seriously injured and three to four more dinged up to where Daegu didn’t have enough players to continue, coach Zach Colfesh said. The Warriors traveled to Japan with 17 players and played nine-man format.

“For the safety of our players, we had to end it early,” he said. “They tried their very best. They’re fighters.”

Asked if the Warriors would be able to continue the season, Colflesh declined to comment.

Zama's Roman Romero outraces Daegu defender Nathan Haws II to the end zone for the Trojans' first touchdown. (Tim Flack/Special to Stripes)

“We would have loved to keep playing,” said coach Scott Bolin of the Trojans, who improved to 3-0 with the victory. Daegu fell to 0-3.

The Warriors are trying to revive their football program which was shelved the past two seasons due to lack of players. Daegu last fielded a team in 2019 prior to the coronavirus pandemic. The Warriors lead DODEA-Pacific with five Division II titles.

In Saturday’s short-lived contest, Araki rushed 25 yards for a touchdown and Romero and Dait added scoring runs of 24 and 53 yards. Caleb Schmiedel and Kainoah Venn recorded a combined safety for Zama.

“Special teams did their job, the defense was lights out and the offense did everything they were supposed to,” Bolin said, adding that Zama did not throw any passes.

The Trojans next host American School In Japan at 6 p.m. Friday, while the Warriors are slated to visit Robert D. Edgren at noon Saturday.