The numbers are fewer for Zama football this season: 15 showed for practice Monday, down from 26 last season and 48 in 2023. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)
Fourth in a series of preseason previews detailing DODEA-Pacific football teams.
CAMP ZAMA, Japan – From 48 players two seasons ago to 26 last season to just 15 out at practice on Monday, Zama’s football numbers continue to dwindle.
“We’re probably going to have to play nine-man” format, Trojans first-year head coach Shawen Smith said before Monday’s practice. “The numbers are way down.”
It’s a huge comedown for a team that had won 14 straight games in the 2022 and 2023 regular seasons before losing in the Far East Division II final 14-0 to American School In Japan two seasons ago. Zama went 4-3 last season and fell 22-6 to Yokota in the D-II semifinal.
Smith has been there for the good times and the not-so-good; he coached Zama’s line the last four seasons since his arrival from Bahrain in 2021, and previously was head coach at now-defunct Seoul American.
In the thin numbers, the lack of size and limited experience, Smith says he sees a bright future, if the Trojans can bring in more bodies and manage what could be a steep learning curve.
“There are possibilities. We do have some potential,” Smith said, adding that the entire coaching staff returns, save for former head coach Scott Bolin who stepped down after last season.
“Our staff will coach up the boys to the best of their ability,” Smith said. “But it’s a rebuild. We need some people to step up and learn quickly. It’s going to be a trial by fire.”
Senior Toro McClendon can catch the ball but will line up mainly at linebacker and offensive line for Zama. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)
Junior Thomas Diaz has the nod at starting quarterback; behind him is backup Gabriel Simpkins. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)
One of Zama's assistant coaches bears a message on his t-shirt that could serve as a motto for Zama football this season. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)
Jin Robles (41) is among just 15 players out for Zama football practice Monday. Only seven players return, four of them starters. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)
Just how thin are Zama’s numbers?
Thomas Diaz, a junior who played wide receiver a season ago, becomes the Trojans’ third starting quarterback in as many seasons. Adrian Santiago-Cruz graduated and Will Schmiedel, the 2023 starter, is now a junior at Ramstein.
Diaz learned at both their feet and says the greatest takeaway as being Schmiedel’s and Santiago-Cruz’s understudy is how to be “a leader who can control the outcome. That’s what describes a key position. And quarterback is a key position.”
Even when Santiago-Cruz or Schmiedel would come off the field after being intercepted, Diaz said he took note of “how they recovered from the lows.”
Diaz will have a handful of targets for his right arm, including Grayson Jorgensen and Jin Robles. Garrett Allen will take handoffs and play tight end. Gabriel Simpkins will back up Diaz at quarterback and play running back and defensive back.
Whether there’s a wealth or a dearth of numbers, Diaz says the Trojans will take things as they come. “It’s always: deal with what you have now and work toward later,” Diaz said.
Zama Trojans
2024 season record — 4-3 overall, lost DODEA-Pacific D-II semifinal 22-6 on Oct. 18 to Yokota.
Head coach — Shawen Smith, first season (replaces Scott Bolin, eight seasons, 27-31 overall).
Championships — Far East Division II titles in 2009, 2012 and 2019. Shared Kanto Plain title with American School In Japan in 1994. Won DODEA-Japan title in 2009 and 2022.
Returning players — 7.
Returning starters — 4.
Key performers — Trotsky “Toro” McClendon, Sr., OL-MLB; Garrett Allen, Jr., RB-TE; Thomas Diaz, Jr., QB (was WR last season); Gabriel Simpkins, Jr., QB-RB-DB; Brody Kuchera, So., L.
Strengths — Some size in the interior, some experience at skills positions.
Drawbacks — Pronounced lack of depth; team only had 15 players at practice Monday.
Overview — Rebuilding. They may have to go nine-man, given their lack of numbers; just a couple of injuries away from being in trouble numbers-wise. Entire coaching staff returns save for Bolin. Smith (Seoul American) and defensive coach Chris Waite (Robert D. Edgren) each have DODEA-Pacific head-coaching experience. Staying healthy and managing the learning curve will be key.
2025 season schedule
Friday, Aug. 29
Yokota at Zama
Friday Sept. 5
Zama at Matthew C. Perry
Saturday, Sept. 13
Osan at Zama
Friday, Sept. 26
Robert D. Edgren at Zama
Friday, Oct. 3
Perry at Zama
Friday, Oct. 19
Zama at Yokota
Postseason
Friday, Oct. 25
No. 2 at No. 1, teams, time and site to be determined
