Sophomore Zeus Queen is slated to start at quarterback for the Cougars. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)
Seventh in a series of DODEA-Pacific high school football previews.
OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea – Transfers and graduations have dealt a severe blow to Osan’s football team, which is pretty much starting over after a 2023 season in which they just missed qualifying for the Division II title game.
The Cougars’ two quarterbacks have transferred to Yokota. Two starting linemen and their starting fullback graduated. Only six players, four of whom started, return for Osan, which faces a rather stern rebuilding task.
“You have to restart every year,” said Tyler Greve, in his second season as the Cougars’ head coach. “Especially with how many players we had PCS out.”
Osan has two more players, 24, than it had last season. But many of them are new, young faces, some who haven’t played football before.
It’s something that’s part of the military family tour environment. While families in Japan stay for an average of three years, families at Osan are generally there for less.
“We have no control over that,” Greve said. “Especially in Korea, you (mostly only) get them for two years. It’s a two-year PCS cycle.”
So the Cougars will try to operate Greve’s spread offense with a new signal caller, sophomore Zeus Queen. He has some quickness, can throw and has the potential to be the guy to run Greve’s spread-option attack.
Two linemen return for the Cougars, seniors Martin Heffele and Peyton Tuigamala. Emanuel Mena, a senior, is tagged to start at fullback; he can catch passes out of the backfield, and he can play defensive line.
“We’re trying to learn the fundamentals,” Greve said. “We’re still learning the fundamentals. We’re trying to establish our identity and (football) culture.”
Osan came just a one-point loss last October at Yokota from at least forging a tie for the visitor’s berth in the Far East Division II football final, won by American School In Japan 14-0 at Zama.
The Division II playoff system could work to Osan’s benefit; four of the five division teams qualify for the semifinals Oct. 18 and 19. But even though it’s an 80-percent chance, Greve says nothing is a given.
“We have our work cut out for us,” he said.
The Cougars begin the season against the team that broke their hearts 23-22 at Yokota last Oct. 14. The Panthers play Osan at 6 p.m. Saturday at Cougars Field.
Senior Emanuel Mena is tabbed to start at fullback and defensive line for Osan's football team. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)
OSAN COUGARS
2023 season record — 4-3 overall and DODEA-Pacific Division II.
Head coach — Tyler Greve, second season.
Championships — 2005, 2018 DODEA-Pacific Division II titles.
Returning players — 6.
Returning starter — 4.
Key performers — Peyton Tuigamala, Sr., OT-DE; Zeus Queen, So., QB-DB; Martin Heffele, Sr., OL-DL; Emanuel Mena, Sr., FB-DL.
Strengths — Large group of underclassmen willing to learn and contribute. Speed at receivers and defensive backs.
Drawbacks — Large group of young, inexperienced underclassmen. Lack of depth. Not much size in the interior.
Overview — Rebuilding. PCS Plane (quarterback) and graduation (two linemen, starting fullback) hurt the Cougars. It’s going to take some work for the Cougars to get back to where they were a season ago.
Schedule
Saturday, Aug. 31
Yokota at Osan
Saturday, Sept. 7
Osan at Robert D. Edgren
Friday, Sept. 20
Osan at Humphreys
Saturday, Oct. 5
Osan at Zama
Saturday, Oct. 12
Matthew C. Perry at Osan
Postseason
Semifinals
Friday, Oct. 18-Saturday, Oct. 19
Third place at second place
Fourth place at first place
Championship
Friday, Oct. 25
Semifinal winners
