The PCS Plane has been good to Yokota the last couple of summers. Quarterback Josh Low transferred from Osan, while Owen Moreno came in from Robert D. Edgren. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)
Fifth in a series of DODEA-Pacific high school football previews.
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan – Josh Low and his former Osan teammates came up just a point short of defeating Yokota a season ago.
Now the senior quarterback is one of a handful of inbound transfers suiting up for a Panthers team that has benefitted greatly from the PCS Plane the last two summers.
“It’s kind of ironic,” said Low, who quarterbacked the Cougars to a 4-3 record last season and now takes the helm of a Panthers team that went 5-2, including that 23-22 victory over Osan.
“It stings a little bit,” Low said of remembering that defeat. “But I’m happy to be here. It’s a great switch. Yokota is a great program.”
The Panthers got two players from Osan, including Low’s brother Kaden Elwood, a sophomore who will back up Low at quarterback; junior lineman Mark Segura, from Abilene, Texas; and senior Owen Moreno, one of Robert D. Edgren’s key defenders in the 2023 season.
They join a Panthers roster flush in returnees, including a line anchored by senior Gerrit Browne, who stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 285. Tackle-to-tackle, the line averages about 215 pounds.
Yokota is also strong at the skill positions, including senior receiver Kicoh Guenther and juniors Rodrigo Negron and Liam Rowell, among others.
Four-year Panthers running back Casey Bumpers said the one-point victory over Osan last October resonates with him as well.
“It was a good way for us to end the season. I was really excited for the next year,” Bumpers said.
He was with the team that went 3-6 in 2021, then improved to 4-3 in 2022 before their one-game improvement last season, and says he feels big things could happen this season.
“This year, we have a really good chance to take the next step,” Bumpers said.
Third-year head coach Michael Woodworth said despite all those riches, he remains cautiously optimistic.
“I’m not looking at the future,” Woodworth said during Tuesday’s practice. “I’m looking at every game as it comes.”
The Panthers do have 50 bodies out for practice, the most they’ve had in Woodworth’s three seasons.
“We did have a lot PCS in,” Woodworth said. “I’m excited for this season. I’m excited for the group. But we still have to gel as a team.”
Yokota’s quest for its first Far East Division II title-game berth since 2015 begins – ironically enough – on Aug. 31 with a game at Osan, which will serve as a homecoming of sorts for Low. “It’s going to be exciting,” he said.
Casey Bumpers is in his fourth season in a Panthers uniform, during which time they improved from 3-6 in 2021, to 4-3 the next season and 5-2 in 2023. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)
After playing for Osan a season ago, senior quarterback Josh Low is cooling it down with Yokota. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)
Michael Woodworth, middle, is in his thrid season as Yokota's football head coach. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)
YOKOTA PANTHERS
2023 season record — 5-2 overall.
Head coaches — Michael Woodworth, third season.
Championships — 15 DODEA-Japan titles, 32 Kanto titles, five Rising Sun Bowl championships 2000-04, two Far East Division I titles 2011-12.
Returning players — 15.
Returning starters — 15.
Key performers — Kicoh Guenther, Sr., WR-DB; Casey Bumpers, Sr., RB; Gerrit Browne, Sr., L; Josh Low, Sr., QB (transferred from Osan); Kaden Elwood, So., QB (transferred from Osan); Owen Moreno, Sr., LB-RB (transferred from Robert D. Edgren); Camdyn Campbell, Sr., FB-LB; Jayden Douglas, Sr., RB-S; Jaden Pierce, Sr., L (played tennis a year ago); Mark Segura, Jr., L (transferred from Abilene, Texas); Braylon Ivey, Jr., L; Rodrigo Negron, Jr., WR-LB.
Strengths — Depth, experience, size, speed. For the second straight summer, the PCS Plane blessed the Panthers with talented players. Line averages over 200 pounds from tackle to tackle, with Browne the biggest.
Drawbacks — Losing placekicker Cooper Gaulin to transfer will hurt, Woodworth said. Not much of anything else, except getting everybody on the same page play-wise.
Overview — Contending. This could be the strongest Panthers team since the one that reached the Division II final nine seasons ago. The offensive line, tackle-to-tackle, might be Yokota’s best since the Division I championship years of 2011 and 2012. Strong and capable.
Schedule
Saturday, Aug. 31
Yokota at Osan
Friday, Sept. 6
Matthew C. Perry at Yokota
Friday, Sept. 13
Edgren at Yokota
Friday, Sept. 20
Zama at Yokota
Friday, Sept. 27
Yokota at Edgren
Friday, Oct. 4
Yokota at Matthew C. Perry
Postseason
Semifinals
Friday, Oct. 18-Saturday, Oct. 19
Third place at second place
Fourth place at first place
Championship
Friday, Oct. 25
Semifinal winners
