Quarterback DeShaun Nixon hands off to running back Ethan Ferch in practice and that could happen quite a bit in Kadena’s backfield this season. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)
First in a series of DODEA-Pacific high school football previews.
KADENA AIR BASE, Okinawa – One doesn’t get far talking about Far East Division I football titles without mentioning Kadena.
But to hear coach Sergio Mendoza say it, a ninth such title is the back burner at the moment.
“No one cares about the banners; those teams are gone,” Mendoza said of the defending D-I champions. “Hopefully, we’ll hold to our same traditions and get the boys to grow and mature as young men.”
That, Mendoza said, has always been the goal in his 19-plus years at the Panthers helm, making him the dean of DODEA-Pacific football coaches.
He and Kadena have a record eight D-I titles to their credit. And given the number of players returning, especially in the interior, it would seem, on paper, anyway, that the Panthers have a good shot at adding another.
Four of Kadena’s five starting linemen from a year ago return, anchored in the middle by senior center Nathaniel Macias.
The backfield is also rich in experience, with senior DeShaun Nixon at quarterback, Flint Barton at fullback and sophomore Ethan Ferch replacing graduated Jeremiah Drummer at tailback. A.J. Webster transfers from Yokota and Hajime Reed from Robert D. Edgren.
Where the Panthers might be lacking is depth. Normally, Kadena has between 60 to 65 players on the school’s upper field for practice; on Wednesday, there were just 38.
“That’s the lowest number we’ve had,” Mendoza said. “We don’t have the numbers that we’ve had in the past.”
There’s also a bit of a sense or urgency; the season schedule opens Aug. 23, their earliest debut yet, with a home game against Kubasaki, the team Kadena beat 35-20 in the D-I final last Oct. 28.
Mendoza said he and his assistants have tried to impress the need for commitment to each other.
“We’re teachers first,” Mendoza said of he and his coaching staff. “Football is just a tool for teaching them about life.”
Kadena faces four other D-I teams this season, two games against island-rival Kubasaki and one each against Humphreys, Nile C. Kinnick and American School In Japan.
The D-I playoffs feature semifinal games Oct. 18, fourth place at first place and third place at second, with the winners meeting in the championship Oct. 26.
Senior DeShaun Nixon is slated to start at quarterback for Kadena. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)
Sophomore Ethan Ferch saw limited action last season for Kadena, but is in line to start in the backfield this season. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)
Sergio Mendoza begins his 19th season as Kadena coach, making him the dean of DODEA-Pacific coaches. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)
A.J. Webster is a sophomore transfer from Yokota and could see significant minutes for Kadena in the backfield. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)
Senior Flint Barton returns from the defending Far East D-I champion Panthers and should start at fullback this season. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)
KADENA PANTHERS
2023 season record — 6-1 overall, won Division I title 35-20 over Kubasaki.
Head coach — Sergio Mendoza, 19th season. 86-20 overall, Pacific-record eight D-I titles (2007, ’09-’10, ’14-’15, ’17, ’19, ’23).
Returning players — 14.
Returning starters — 10.
Key performers — Ethan Ferch, So., RB; Flint Barton, Sr., TB-LB; Neil Kentish, Sr., DB-WR; DeShaun Nixon, Sr., QB-RB; A.J. Webster, So, RB (transferred from Yokota); Hajime Reed, Sr., CB-WR (transferred from Robert D. Edgren); Nathaniel Macias, Sr., L; David Diaz, Sr., L; Cameron Edson, Sr., L; Isaiah Cepin, Sr., L; Julius Gantz, Sr., L; Richard Gantz, So., L; Carmelo Ward, Sr., L (transferred from Long Beach, Calif.); Javier Williams, Sr., WR; Michael Smith, Sr., DB; Carson Kenderdine, Jr., TE-L.
Strengths — Experience, speed and size throughout the lineup. Four of five starting linemen return. PCS plane helped especially at skills positions.
Drawbacks — The fewest number of players Mendoza has had in nearly 20 seasons; just 38 on the roster, instead of the customary 60 to 65.
Overview — Contending. Many pieces back in place from the 2023 Far East Division I title team. As early a start as the Panthers have had in Mendoza’s nearly two decades.
Schedule
Friday, Aug. 23
Kubasaki at Kadena
Friday, Sept. 6
Humphreys at Kadena
Friday, Sept. 13
Kadena at American School In Japan
Friday, Sept. 20
Nile C. Kinnick at Kadena
Friday, Sept. 27
Kadena at Kubasaki
Postseason
Friday, Oct. 18
Semifinals, pairings and sites to be determined.
Saturday, Oct. 26
Championship, pairing and site to be determined.
