New Yokota offensive coordinator Joshua Long, sandwiched here by Panthers running back Quincy Brown and backup quarterback Liam Douglas, "is one of our biggest pickups," Yokota head coach Michael Woodworth said. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)
Sixth in a series of preseason previews detailing DODEA-Pacific football teams.
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan – They could not have picked a better time to right themselves after a three-game skid to close the regular season.
Yokota began the 2024 football season like a house afire, winning its first two games before falling three times by a combined 68-36.
That tailspin included a 35-14 loss to Zama and a 26-22 defeat against Matthew C. Perry – the two teams Yokota would rebound against to seize the first Far East Division II title in school history.
“We learned how to win and we learned how to come back from defeat,” senior lineman Mark Segura said. He was on the field for it all, the wins, the losses and the playoff rejuvenation.
In the Oct. 18 semifinal, Yokota downed the Trojans 22-6 at Zama. “We came out and just brought it to them,” Segura said.
A week later in the final, the Panthers trailed Perry 10-0 entering the fourth quarter before scoring 22 unanswered points.
“We learned that if we keep fighting for it, we can win it every year,” Segura said.
The genesis of that championship run probably began with a bounty of transfers who came in before the 2024 season, coach Michael Woodworth said.
“We won the PCS lottery last season,” Woodworth said of six players who came in over summer 2024. Two of those starters remain on the 2025 roster, seniors Christian Worthen-Cochran and Jhovanni Mora.
“They helped the guys who are back to buy into it,” Woodworth said of the transfers. “And on our line, we have a lot of returners, with knowledge and experience.”
Junior Kysiem Banks, taking the handoff, is one of a handful of players in their third season with Yokota football. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)
Yokota senior quarterback Julian Chuckrey gets some pointers on spotting the ball for extra points from Panthers assistant coach Jay Dayao. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)
Yokota's football team had to practice indoors Wednesday at Yokota Middle School because of black flag conditions caused by excessive heat outdoors. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)
The Panthers do have two key components to replace, but Woodworth said Yokota has candidates ready to do the job. Senior Julian Chuckrey takes over at quarterback for Josh Low, and sophomore Corey Carpenter steps in for graduated running back Casey Bumpers.
“He’s my Bumpers this year,” Woodworth said of Carpenter. “Julian steps into some huge shoes. But he has speed, he’s quick, he’s hard to bring down.”
Joining Segura on the line is Lucious Como, a sophomore who played in the championship game. He will line up at defensive end and also at tight end.
One of a handful of players who’s in his third season with the Panthers is Kysiem Banks, a speedster who can play receiver, running back, defensive back and kick returner.
Of the 16 players returning from last year, seven are seniors, Woodworth said. “They know how to win,” he said. “I think we’ll be contending this season.”
The Panthers open the season Aug. 29 at Zama. Their home opener is Sept. 5 against Robert D. Edgren.
Yokota Panthers
2024 season record — 3-3 overall, defeated Matthew C. Perry 22-10 on Oct. 25, 2025, for the D-II Far East title.
Head coach — Michael Woodworth, fourth season, 12-8 overall, .600.
Championships — 15 DODEA-Japan titles, 32 Kanto titles, five Rising Sun Bowl championships 2000-04, two Far East Division I titles 2011-12, one Far East D-II championship 2024.
Returning players — 16.
Returning starters — 15.
Key performers — Mark Segura, Jr., L; Kysiem Banks, Jr., RB-WR-DB-KR; Jhovanni Mora, Sr., RB-DB; Christian Worthen-Cochran, Sr., RB-WR-DB; Corey Carpenter, So., RB; Julian Chuckrey, Sr., QB; Lucious Como, So., DE-TE; Liam Douglas, Fr., QB; Quincy Brown, Jr., RB.
Strengths — The line, on both sides of the ball. Depth in the interior and at skills positions. Seven seniors.
Drawbacks — Plenty of freshmen; it’s a young team. Lack of experience.
Overview — Contending. After starting the season on a down slide at 1-3, the Panthers swept through the playoff round and learned how to win, which should give Yokota something of a momentum boost heading into the season. Every chance the Panthers could vie for their second straight D-II title.
2025 season schedule
Friday, Aug. 29
Yokota at Zama
Friday, Sept. 5
Robert D. Edgren at Yokota
Friday, Sept. 19
Yokota at Matthew C. Perry
Friday, Oct. 3
Yokota at Edgren
Friday, Oct. 10
Zama at Yokota
Saturday, Oct. 18
Osan at Yokota
Postseason
Championship
No. 2 at No. 1, teams, time and site to be determined
