Kameron Ramos takes over at quarterback for Perry after spending last season as a running back and cornerback. (Kevin Rossiter/Special to Stripe)
Third in a series of DODEA-Pacific high school football previews.
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan – Plenty of familiar faces dot Matthew C. Perry’s football lineup. A running back from a season ago becomes the new signal caller. And some students who didn’t play last year are on the field now.
But do the Samurai have enough bodies to take steps above the team that went 2-5 a season ago?
“We have to stay healthy,” coach Daniel Burns said, indicating that some of his players may have to play offense, defense and special teams. “We have to stay healthy and in condition and hope the injury bug doesn’t hit us.”
Burns is a former quarterback for two-time Far East Division I champion Seoul American now in his fifth year as a DODEA teacher and second as Perry’s head football coach.
The first three of those years, he spent as the Samurai’s offensive coordinator, under then-head coach Frank Macias (now with Kadena’s staff).
Macias’ philosophy was to run the ball out of the Wing-T almost 100 percent of the time. Burns inherited that legacy but didn’t have the size to execute an all-rushing offense a season ago.
Burns says he’s cautiously optimistic this season, given the fact that the Samurai have some size, particularly at defensive end in junior Braylon Stephens and senior Xander Grantham. Stephens will also be an offensive lineman and Grantham a tight end.
Kameron Ramos, an athletic, versatile junior who lined up at running back and corner last year, takes over as the Samurai’s quarterback. Preston Ramirez, a sophomore and accomplished soccer player, returns in the backfield, at linebacker and is a solid punter and placekicker.
Will all that make the Samurai a contender?
“We have to stay healthy, we have to get better every day and win the day,” Burns said.
It’s been eight years since the Samurai won the Division II title. Reigning champion American School In Japan is no longer in Division II, but some formidable obstacles remain, including last year’s runner-up Zama.
“Until somebody knocks Zama off, they’re still the top dog,” Burns said.
The Samurai open their season at home Aug. 30 against Robert D. Edgren.
Sophomore Preston Ramirez gives Perry a solid special teams option and will also line up at running back and linebacker. (Kevin Rossiter/Special to Stripes)
Daniel Burns, middle, is in his second season as Matthew C. Perry football head coach, after three years as offensive coordinator. Burns was a 2008 graduate of Seoul American High School and played football for the Falcons, who won Far East Division I titles in 2006 and 2008. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)
MATTHEW C. PERRY SAMURAI
2023 season record — 2-5 overall.
Head coach — Daniel Burns, second season (offensive coordinator three previous seasons).
Returning players — 16.
Returning starters — 10.
Key performers — Kameron Ramos, Jr., QB-S (starting running back a season ago); Xander Grantham, Sr., TE-DE; Braylon Stephens, Jr., OL-DE; Preston Ramirez, So., RB-LB-PK.
Strengths — Better experience with a large portion of last season’s team returning. Good defensive end size. Handful of students who didn’t play last year now out for the team.
Drawbacks — Overall depth lacking; a couple of injuries could impact the lineup.
Overview — Rebuilding-reloading. Key to the Samurai’s fortunes will be staying healthy and keeping the lineup as intact as possible; a few injuries could derail everything.
Schedule
Friday, Aug. 30
Robert D. Edgren at Matthew C. Perry
Friday, Sept. 6
Perry at Yokota
Saturday, Sept. 21
Sotoku at Perry
Friday, Sept. 27
Perry at Zama
Friday Oct. 4
Yokota at Perry
Saturday, Oct. 12
Perry at Osan
Playoffs
Friday, Oct. 18-Saturday, Oct. 19
Third place at second place
Fourth place at first place
Friday, Oct. 25
Semifinal winners
