DoDDS Pacific will be kicking off its football season in about two months.

What's the predictions out there; who's going to win the Far East title this year? Seoul American won it last year after finishing second the year before to Kubasaki.

I'm sure most schools are going through some sort of conditioning program right now with whatever number of potential players stayed home for the summer. Things will be heating up soon enough and another exciting season will be underway.

What's the predictions for the large schools; Seoul American, Kadena, Yokota, Guam, Kubasaki, Kinnick, etc... (I don't know all of them)?

I hope they can save the league in Okinawa. As a current player in the USFJ-AFL
I would love to see an "ALL-JAPAN" military championship game. I played against various versions of Okinawa military teams in the past and they always played solid football. I hope they can somehow work it out to get some teams together and make a league. Some commands are weary of letting people play on the teams for fear of injury, but I would bet that more people are hurt playing softball and basketball than playing full contact football. On the other hand, this is not the level of football for somebody to try to play for the 1st time. I really do hope they can get a leauge together.

I have played and tried to play both years that were metioned in this article. It was not as said, the reasoning for us not having a season. The reason was not the lack of players, it was the shortage of equipment. We had enough players tryout for OUR team to form two seperate teams; and that was without everyone trying out that was supposed to!!! Interservice football in Okinawa is a moral builder as well as a constructive hobby to the service members that chose to play. Bottom line...Service members LOVE TO PLAY FOOTBALL! We have had to revert to Flag Football because of not being able to play tackle this past year. The turnouts for these tournaments and game have been oustanding, but at the end of the day all the plays still have the same question: "Do they have a tackle season here, and when does tackle start?" We want to play. At least give us the opportunity to show how much. That's all I am saying.

I just recently left California where football is very big on Marine Corps bases. You would think that being over here that football would be an even larger event because everyones so close and you have all the branches of services together. Before coming here I was told that there was tackle football and it made my transition here alot smoother knowing that I would get to continue to play tackle football. When I got here, I heard all the talk on the street that there was no equiptment so I resorted to playing flag. I've heard alot of Marines say they can't wait til the season starts but no one actually knows what's going on because there are quite a few hundred Marines that are just anxiously waiting to play some tackle football. It's alot better than going out in town and getting into trouble. I'm sure if they would ask the "RIGHT" sources like the Marines who will actually participate then you'll find that it's not because of a lack of people. It maybe something else but I can guarantee you that personnel isn't the issue. California units are constantly busy but football hasn't been put on the back burner by no means! Let the Marines play!

“Not enough Marines,” MCCS Semper Fit chief Steve Rowland said. Sounds like a cover up to me. Myself and others were faithfully practicing everyday in preparation for the largely anticipated OFL season to kick off last fall. Many Marines, Sailors and SOFA status personnel were all mentally and physically prepared for the season only to have the rug pulled from beneath us right before the season was to start. On Camp Foster, there were 80+ dedicating their time and sweat so that they would have a chance to relive some of their "Glory Days" and indulge in stress relief that is brought upon by delivering a "De-Cleater". Only to be given an excuse. Marines on Camp Courtney had been doing the same. "The continued deployment of Marines to the Middle East is mainly to blame, Rowland said." This is just a lousy excuse. The AOR (Area of Responsibility) for service members on Okinawa is the West Pac and surrounding countries. Only a small fraction of the service members on this island are pulled to support OIF and OEF. I truly do feel like we service members were not even given the chance to show our numbers so how would they know. As far as being a service to the Marine Corps Community, someone failed. Marines aboard Okinawa truly do depend on MCCS to be a positive outlet for such a stressful environment in so many ways, it's just extremely sad to be let down by someone that you depend on.

are yall serious this is football people think eat breath and dream about this sport.
just because were in japan doesnt mean anything, i say we do a mass sign up roster and i gaurentee if the number your looking for is reasonable, you will be overwhelmed by the number of people that want to play, hey have the season
if what you say is true about the participation then why dont you just cancel the whole damn thing for good. all im sayin is there is no reason to punish the people who want to play, and didnt get the chance because of stats.( that say there isnt enough people for this year )

I've had the privilege and honor to play with the Kadena Dragons over the past couple of years and I'm very disappointed not having an OFL season (or USFJ-AFL games) in '06 and now '07. The Dragons had been preparing to play games in the OFL and USFJ-AFL all throughout '06, but the OFL folded and for whatever reason mainland USFJ-AFL teams were unable or unwilling to play on Okinawa. (Reference Mr. Ornauer's 22 Jul 06 article titled "Kadena still waiting for USFJ-AFL rivals to make Okinawa trek "). Not playing any games the past 2 seasons has definitely hurt "recruiting", but there's still a core group of Kadena athletes that are hungry to play some tackle football. I’m sure this is the case for other installations on Okinawa.

Regardless, I hope MCCS will be able to revive the OFL. If anything, the OFL gives its players a chance to compete against one another in a game that they all love. Particularly, I've enjoyed the service rivalry (I like to think of it as a local Commander in Chiefs trophy…and we know how that’s turned out the past couple of seasons:) In addition, playing tackle football is an awesome method to stay in shape. The Air Force has its "Fit to Fight" concept...the guys that play are not only fit, but they are ATHLETIC, and in solid football playing shape (when was the last time you’ve ran 100's, hills, or suicides, etc...?;) These are the guys you see in the gym putting up weight, running stairs, working speed and agility drills, etc. Also, during football season I know you die hard football fans are staying up to the early hours of the morning to catch your favorite college and pro football games. OFL games provide an outlet for the community to watch some live, local football at a level a higher than pee-wee, flag, or high school football.

The OFL and USFJ-AFL are outstanding ATHLETIC programs that give so much to its participants and the community. I hope that other people will have the opportunity to partake.

Laz #9

PI old timers may remember (back in the late 60s and ealry 70s) that it wasn't base or service-level but squadron level tackle football was a huge deal. Our unit team in '68 (the 6922nd Cobras) had several decent college level players and I remember there were even a few league players who had some limited pro experience (I seem to remember one place kicker in particular). Later, when I was with AFPN at Clark, on Friday nights we would broadcast squadron football games live on TV via our own TV remote van, direct from the Bamboo Bowl. Years later, when squadron level ball died out, FEN Clark and FEN Subid Bay did continue radio coverage of service level games. The Clark vs Subic Bay games were like Mich vs OSU or Texas vs Oklahoma. I think it was budget constraints that eventually ended the tackle football seasons - and the focus switched to slow pitch softball....

Super Dave,

Hello from hot and humid Oklahoma. I hope all is well for you and your family in Okinawa. As one of the founding fathers, players, coaches and one time USFJ-AFL Commissioner, I definitely beleive interservice football is worth saving. The positive aspects from Intersivice Football far outweigh the negatives. First, there is the dedication to physical fitness. Competing at this level requires players to incorporate extensive year round fitness programs. Everyone knows, fitness has a direct impact on readiness. Having a fit force has definitely increased our nation's ability to contiue fighting the GWOT. Second, being a member of a team representing your base and community increases morale and espirit-de corps. Team memebers bolster stronger relationships, which in turn help day to day mission accomplishments. Interservice football gives service members an oppurtunity to esatblish contacts with members from other services. The familarity and respect gained from these relationship help build a sense fraternity, respect and trust members need when deploying to a joint environment. Lastly, I feel Interservice Football gives the community another form of entertainment to enjoy. Many Americans feel entertainmemnt options are limited overseas. Interservice football gives our folks an alternative to sitting at home and is something the whole family can enjoy. I really hope the Okinawa Football League resumes play next year. It would be great to see the champion from the USFJ-AFL and OFL play for bragging rights as sumpreme champion. Once again, thank you for staying involved and not letting this wonderful oppurtunity fade away. Take care and I looking forward to reading your Pacific High School Football preview.

Big Joe Howell