HondaReport.com - Red Raiders keep working

They're not big. They're gargantuan. Mammothian*. They are the Kahuku Red Raiders.

* Students, please do not use this word in any way, shape or context.

But I don't. Hey, give me a break. There are coaches who are still getting to know their own teams, so I can't channel the Mighty Football Brain in the Sky.

Well, I've been to 12 schools to take photos, and the count would be higher if not for this newfangled "year-round school" thing. I have my opinions about the actual efficiency (statistics would prove me right if I posted an argument) of this mandatory system. I'll hold of on them here.

Kahuku is a blast to visit. Sure, the UH van that hauled 20 bright pink and orange kayaks was a total bore to follow, especially at 25 mph from Kaneohe to Kahana Valley. Wasn't much fun tailing a city bus from there all the way to Laie. But after an hour and 15 minutes, I made it to Red Raider Nation. What I saw was, well, breathtaking.

Just when I'd thought I'd already seen the behemoths of all time (courtesy of last year's Kahuku squad and many others before that), this year's big guys blew me away. Without a roster to refer to, I have to say that Kahuku has at least 15 players who stand at least 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds. And there are a few that are in the 6-6, 300 range.

Insane and amazing. This means that the problems new coach Reggie Torres will face with a new backfield can be minimized. Who is going to stop Kahuku's horde of elephants up front? It's almost unfair to ask other teams, high school kids who are in the 190- to 240-pound range, to deal with power blocking — smashmouth football — from a wall of 280- to 325 pounders. Kahuku won't have the throw the ball this year. Again. What a blessing to have.

Kaniela Tuipulotu isn't the lone star on defense, but he's the one who will shine again. He had three sacks in one half against Aiea last year, and he's still got speed and agility despite climbing to 291 pounds. That's Division I defensive tackle size, and he's on the move as more than a handful of schools have made offers. Wisely, Kaniela is biding his time.

All in all, Kahuku is still the team to beat ... but beatable? From all accounts, Mililani got the upper end in a scrimmage with the Red Raiders last week. Stay tuned.