Seventh in a series of DODEA-Pacific high school football previews.

YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan – No question, Nile C. Kinnick’s football team has plenty of size in the interior. And Dan Joley, the team’s 14th-year head coach, says he’s confident that they can be the team’s “bread and butter,” particularly when the other team has the ball.

“I think we’ll be really good defensively,” Joley said during Thursday’s practice. “On offense, we’re trying to find that mix of what works best for us.”

After going 3-9 the last two seasons following their unbeaten 2021 DODEA-Japan championship campaign, the Red Devils appear poised to contend for their first DODEA-Pacific Far East Division I title in six years.

Kinnick is upperclass heavy this season; 13 seniors return, eight of whom started, and the Red Devils also got an infusion from the PCS Plane

Derek Ulrich, a senior, arrived after last football season and is pegged to start at slot back. Anthony Walters, a lanky left-hander, moved in from Houston and can play several skill positions. And Nathan DeWolfe, another senior, comes in from Guam High and will line up at defensive end.

Starting at quarterback is Arashi Blocton, yet another senior who saw “substantial minutes,” Joley said, during the 2023 season. He’s not quite where previous starters have been in terms of being an on-field coach type, “but he’s working his way toward that,” Joley said.

“I have confidence in him,” he said. “The team respects him.”

The Red Devils are also set at special teams. Junior Koboyo Awesso is an accomplished soccer player, 19 goals and 13 assists for the Far East D-I Tournament runner-up Red Devils, and is in his second season as placekicker and punter.

Kinnick opens at home on Aug. 30 against last year’s Far East D-I runner-up Kubasaki, then hosts last year’s Division II champion American School In Japan, which moved to the large-schools division this season.

A key battle looming on the Red Devils’ schedule is a Sept. 20 clash at Kadena, the reigning D-I champion. The two teams battled for the D-I championship in 2017 and 2018, with the Panthers winning the first time and the Red Devils the second.

Joley says he feels the team has the tools for a possible championship re-engagement. “Cohesion, making sure the transfers are integrated, getting them caught up with our scheme,” Joley said. “We’re trying to find that identity.”

NILE C. KINNICK RED DEVILS

2023 season record — 2-4 overall and DODEA-Pacific Division I.

Head coach — Dan Joley, 14th season. DODEA-Japan titles in 2013, 2014, 2016-18 and 2021; Far East Division I title in 2018.

Returning players — 16.

Returning starters — 11.

Key performers — Kahlil Busscher, Sr., TE-DE; Koboyo Awesso, Jr., PK; Arashi Blockton, Sr., QB; Anthony Walters, Sr., QB (transferred from Houston); Derek Ulrich, Sr., slot back (transferred from San Diego); Joseph Mauldin, Sr., RB-SS; Michael Zacca, Sr., C; Aaron Mosely, Sr., L; Nathan DeWolfe, Sr., DE (transferred from Guam High); Tylar Stephens, Jr., L; Rico Myhand, So., RB.

Strengths — Defense. Good size in the interior. Good athleticism.

Drawbacks — Few to speak of, other than ensuring cohesion and the new players are integrated into the Red Devils’ schemes

Overview — Contending. Kinnick’s line, what Joley calls the team’s “bread and butter,” should be a handful for opposing teams to deal with. The Red Devils have experience throughout all phases of the game.

Schedule

Friday, Aug. 30

Kubasaki at Kinnick

Friday, Sept. 6

American School In Japan at Kinnick

Friday, Sept. 13

Zama (Division II) at Kinnick

Friday, Sept. 20

Kinnick at Kadena

Friday, Oct. 4

Kinnick at Humphreys

Postseason

Semifinals

Friday, Oct. 18-Saturday, Oct. 19

Third place at second place

Fourth place at first place

Championship

Saturday, Oct. 26

Semifinal winners