Junior Jacob Bojorquiz, left, and sophomore Dylan Kim try to keep a hand on the ball during a Kinnick ball-security drill. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)
Fifth in a series of preseason previews detailing DODEA-Pacific football teams.
YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan – Tylar Stephens and Nile C. Kinnick’s boys basketball team carried the Far East Division I Tournament banner off their home court last February after capturing the final.
Now, the junior says he hopes that height – his and several other players’ – can be a major factor in the Red Devils’ bid for their first Far East football title since 2018.
“We have the skills. We have the chemistry,” said Stephens, who stands 6-foot-2, tallest among three players vying for the starting quarterback job. “We’re a good team overall. We have the line. Everybody’s hungry. We’re ready to break that streak.”
One thing that Stephens and Kinnick’s other two junior quarterbacks, Atsushi Blocton and Zeph Miyashiro, have going for them are tall targets at wide receiver. Senior Jesse Brooks stands 6-6 and Sebastian Bish 6-3½.
“We have great receivers who will make an impact,” said Dan Joley, in his 15th season as Kinnick’s coach. “We’ll also be physical on defense. We’ll fly to the ball pretty well.”
At 6-foot-6, senior Jesse Brooks is one of two receivers over 6 feet tall in Kinnick's lineup. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)
Kinnick's 15th-year head coach Dan Joley hopes tall receivers and speedy players can point the Red Devils to their first Far East title since 2018. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)
Junior Tylar Stephens is one of three players either battling for the quarterback job, or who could all see significant minutes in different aspects of the offense. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)
Sophomore Sebastian Bish, at 6 foot 3 1/2 inches, is one of two tall receivers in Kinnick's lineup. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)
The Red Devils even have a kicker who stands 6 feet tall – Koboyo Awesso, a senior who has starred for three seasons on the soccer team, booted Kinnick’s longest field goal in school history last season, a 59-yarder on Sept. 6.
“He’s the best kicker in the Pacific,” Joley said of Awesso. “We’re also using him on offense and defense.”
Though one might feel Kinnick has a quarterback battle on its hands, Joley says it’s actually a good thing.
“We have three highly capable quarterbacks with different skill sets. I see us using them in different aspects of the offense,” said Joley, whose offense this season might include some rare power running plays between the tackles to go with Joley’s traditional spread option.
The size in the interior isn’t quite what it was, but Kinnick does have a couple of small but quick guards, seniors Justin Bodlovich and Kooga Collins, “who can get open into space,” Joley said.
Kinnick returns 17 players, many of them underclassmen from last season who have a year’s experience under their belts. “We had a good sophomore class and those guys are back,” Joley said.
And for the first time in 35 years, the Red Devils will be playing on a new home field, one they don’t have to share with Navy MWR. It’s right at the edge of Tokyo Bay, with a most scenic view.
“I get distracted sometimes,” Joley said of the vistas. The field has natural grass, unlike their previous home, Berkey Field, which has field turf.
“We’re quicker than we’ve been since 2021 and 22,” Joley said. “We have smart players who have been with us for a couple of years. We have good performers on both sides of the ball.”
Nile C. Kinnick Red Devils
2024 season record — 2-4 overall, lost 33-0 at Kubasaki on Oct. 18 in DODEA-Pacific D-I semifinal.
Head coach — Dan Joley, 15th season. Overall record 61-50, DODEA-Japan titles in 2013, 2014, 2016-18, 2021 and 2024; Kanto Plain titles in 2016-18, 2021 and 2024; Far East Division I title in 2018.
Returning players — 17.
Returning starters — 14.
Key performers — Koboyo Awesso, Sr., PK-utility; Tylar Stephens, Sr., QB-DL; Atsushi Blocton, Jr., QB; Zeph Miyashiro, Jr., QB; Justin Bodlovich, Sr., G; Kooga Collins, Sr., G; Jesse Brooks, Sr., WR-DB; Sebastian Bish, So., WR.
Strengths — Height, both in the line and at skills positions. Tall receivers. Stephens is the tallest of three QBs who each could see substantial minutes. Small but quick guards. Quick on defense.
Drawbacks — Not as big bulk-wise as the Red Devils have been in the past.
Overview — Reloading. If the Red Devils can quickly develop the attack and put the right people in the right places, Kinnick could be a contender for its first D-I title in seven years.
2025 season schedule
Friday, Aug. 29
Kinnick at Kadena
Friday, Sept. 6
Humphreys at Kinnick
Friday, Sept. 12
Kadena at Kinnick
Friday, Sept. 19
Kinnick at Kubasaki
Saturday, Oct. 4
Kinnick at Humphreys
Friday, Oct. 10
Kubasaki at Kinnick
Postseason
Championship
Saturday, Oct. 25
No. 2 at No. 1, teams, site and time to be determined
