CAMP WALKER, South Korea – A strong ground game triggered by running backs Kameron Ramos and Jacob Cerros helped Matthew C. Perry to a vastly different outcome Saturday than during its season debut.

Ramos ran for two scores, Cerros had two rushing touchdowns and caught a TD pass, Jacob Bradley scored once on an 18-yard run and Xander Grantham had a touchdown catch as the Samurai beat Daegu 48-12 in their first meeting with the Warriors since 2019.

After committing five turnovers in their 50-0 Week 1 home loss to Zama, the Samurai did not give the ball away - helping them steady their course, coach Daniel Burns said.

“We limited the turnovers, took care of the football,” he said. “Getting that first game out of the way, the players gained experience and looked more confident and relaxed out there.”

The game was played in nine-man format, since Daegu has too few to go full 11-man. The game also featured a running clock in portions of the second half and ended with eight minutes left in the fourth quarter.

It was the Warriors’ first game since the coronavirus pandemic. DODEA-Korea’s 2020 season was canceled and while Humphreys and Osan played the last two years, Daegu did not, having too few players to field a team.

The Warriors got off to a good start, getting rushing touchdowns from Jason Puckett and Leo Pace in the first quarter, but it was all Samurai from there.

“We have the potential to go up against anybody,” first-year Warriors coach Zach Colflesh said. “But we have to work harder, all around.”

Daegu next visits Zama, while Matthew C. Perry will host Yokota on Friday; both kickoffs are slated for 6 p.m.