Dragons seeking lead runner to help them take off

First in a series of DODEA-Pacific high school football season previews.

CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa – One key piece of Kubasaki football team’s puzzle will be left on the sideline this season. And coach Tony Alvarado and his staff are evaluating who might step into Ethan Ferch’s giant shoes.

“This is such a huge loss,” Alvarado said during Kubasaki’s final open gym workouts on July 30. Ferch was being counted on to replace graduated running back Ryan Hater.

Ferch injured a knee during spring workouts. As much as he says it will hurt to watch from the sideline, he has come to terms with the fact that some things happen for a reason.

“I take that to heart. I just have to move forward and prepare for baseball” in the spring, Ferch’s other main high school sport. “I think I have a bright future there.”

“We just have to work around it,” Dragons senior quarterback Maurice Brown said. “We aren’t really worried about it. We have others who looked up to him … but he’s a big part. We’re going to miss him.”

Dragons football future might well rest with several athletes auditioning for the tailback spot, with full practices having started last Monday.

“We have a bunch of players trying out for that spot,” Alvarado said of juniors Kaleb Sablan, Keyonte Lopez and Marcus Waltz and senior Sho Okuhara.

“One of them is going to fill that role and the others will … all be on the field. Just a matter of which position.”

Whoever wins the tailback battle will get a new escort at fullback. Senior Mateo Solano, a lineman the last two seasons, will line up in the backfield in addition to anchoring the defense at middle linebacker, Alvarado said. “We have to be careful with him,” he said.

Brown, a versatile triple threat in the Dragons’ spread offense, could become what Carlos Cadet was for Kubasaki two seasons ago, Alvarado said.

“He’s so athletic,” Alvarado said. “We’re going to find out how to get the best out of him.”

They’ll all operate behind a line comprised of five returners, three of whom started on varsity last season: Seniors Elvis Freeman, James Johnson, Noah Alonzo and Jameson Hawkins, plus sophomore William King.

For the moment, Alvarado and the Dragons plan to work with what they have and do their best to overcome that key loss in the backfield. “Next man up,” Alvarado said.

Maurice Brown could be the triple-threat quarterback Kubasaki had two seasons ago in Carlos Cadet. (Jim Mills/Special to Stripes)

Kubasaki Dragons

2026 season record — 5-1 overall. Won 17 straight games dating to the start of the 2024 season before losing D-I final 9-0 to Humphreys.

Head coach — Tony Alvarado, sixth season as head coach (has been part of Dragons program for 12 seasons), 27-9 overall.

Championships — Three D-I titles (2005, 2013, 2024).

Returning players — 18.

Returning starters — 8.

Key performers — Maurice Brown, Sr., QB; Mateo Solano, Sr., FB-L; James Johnson, Sr., L Sho Okuhara, Sr., RB-WR; Elvis Freeman, Sr., G; Noah Alonzo, Sr, T; William King, So, G; Jameson Hawkins, Sr., T.

Strengths — Experienced core of returning linemen, three of five started last season. Several promotions from junior varsity ready to fill crucial roles. Whoever starts at tailback should have a good escort in Solano. Great athleticism at quarterback.

Drawbacks — How will they replace senior running back Ethan Ferch, out for the season with knee injury? “Huge loss,” Alvarado says. Several veterans and first-timers trying to fill that critical tailback role.

Overview — Reloading. Next man up, is the going philosophy as training camp begins. The line should be solid. Brown could become what Carlos Cadet was for the Dragons two seasons ago. If one of the tailback candidates steps up solidly, a return to the D-I final is not out of the question.

2026 Season schedule

Friday, Aug. 21

Kubasaki at Kadena

Friday, Aug. 28

Kubasaki at Nile C. Kinnick

Friday, Sept. 11

Kubasaki at Kadena

Saturday, Sept. 19

Kubasaki vs. Humphreys at Camp Hansen

Friday, Sept. 25

Kubasaki at American School In Japan

Friday, Oct. 9

Kinnick at Kubasaki

Saturday, Oct. 24

Championship, pairing and site to be determined.