MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- The Matthew C. Perry High School football team is undefeated after winning their first home game against the Sotoku High School Fighting Ducks, Sept. 27, 2014, aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan.
The Samurai are 3-0 during the first varsity season for M. C. Perry football in 11 years. The sport came back to the school in 2012 after an eight year hiatus and is thriving, said Frank Macias, M. C. Perry High School football head coach.
According to Macias, even as a junior varsity team, they trained at a higher level.
“From the beginning, the players were treated like a varsity team, so as we continue to grow in our football knowledge, the system was already set up for a varsity team,” said Macias.
Although the JV team trained at a varsity level, the players are still adapting to the new expectations, said Macias.
“As a varsity team, things move at a faster pace,” said Mick Carreiro, 16, Samurai quarterback and linebacker. “The hits are harder and the training has to be harder, or else we will get beat up out there. It’s a new challenge and I think we are succeeding right now.”
Out of a school of 120 students, the 35 players on the team do not fail to impress while they are out on the field, said Macias.
“These guys continue to work hard and get better every week. It’s always a good sign when the team continues to improve,” said Macias. “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. That’s what we’ve been saying the past two seasons and it still proves true.”
Carreiro said they are not the biggest team out there, or the strongest, but the camaraderie among the players and the heart they play with made them a winning team.
“The bond is like a brotherhood,” said Carreiro. “I go to school with these guys, spend long days training and even live around them. I trust them and I believe that has contributed to our three victories.”
The goal for this season is to play the championship game on the M. C. Perry field and, according to Macias, they have a good shot at it.
“I don’t know if we’ve been the best team on the field the last three games, but we’ve been the hardest working team and I’ll take that every time,” said Macias.