Coaches agree: Trojans have most guns in wild Red West
By Paul Honda
Editor
HondaReport.com
For decades, the West was dominated by former ROIA powers Wai’anae
and Leilehua. Today, the West has a new hierarchy—and a serious level of
parity.
Mililani, unbeaten in Red West play last year, is the clear
favorite in a straw poll among head coaches. Kapolei, finally emerging into the
elite Red, lost an immense number of key players to graduation.
Wai’anae and Leilehua, the former powers, are among the darkhorses
hoping to reclaim the West. Here’s a look at this fall’s lineup.
Aiea Na Ali’i
Coach: Wendell Say
2003 record: 6-1 White, 10-2 Overall
2003 postseason: OIA White champion,
State Division II champion
Players to watch: Kali Kuia, QB, Jr.;
Rocky Savaiigaea, DT, Sr.; C.J. Tausaga, DB, Sr.; R.J. Kiesel-Kauhane, LB, Sr.;
Aveni Leung-Wai, SS, Sr.
Outlook: In most cases, coaches
don’t fear an up-and-coming team from the White Conference. With ‘
With just two returning starters on offense, Say can’t
exactly say why. “We’ve got a lot of new kids at skill positions,” he said.
Kali Kuia is a returning starter at quarterback. “He’s a
year wiser and stronger,” Say said of the fleet-footed junior. He passed for
more than 2,000 yards a year ago, but sustained an injury in preseason action
against Kaiser. Say kept him out as a precaution as Na Ali’i struggled to a
20-14 win.
Defensively, ‘
Moving up from the White Conference, where
‘
Skinny: If Kuia
stays healthy, Na Ali’i will be a darkhorse challenger for the title.
Kapolei Hurricanes
Coach: Darren Hernandez
2003 record: 7-0 White, 9-3 Overall
2003 postseason: OIA White runner-up,
lost to Damien in State Division II
first-round
Players to watch: Kanoa
Kaheaka-Enhada, Sr., 6-1, 195; Ikaika Aken-Moleta, LG, Sr., 6-3, 315; Jon
Medeiros, QB, Jr., 5-10, 185; Brad Padayao, Jr., QB.
Outlook: Darren Hernandez is usually
a highly optimistic man. But, with the departure of Kapolei’s first graduating
class, even he knows the challenge this fall is daunting.
After all, he lost players who began playing Hurricane
football as soon-to-be ninth graders. “You just don’t replace guys who’ve been
in the system four-and-a-half years. In part, the seniors had our undivided
attention all that time,” he said.
That leaves Kapolei with one returning starter on defense
and two on offense. “Our only saving grace is that two years ago, we pulled up
20 sophomores, so they have two years of varsity experience now,” Hernandez
said.
Kapolei’s multi-faceted offense gets plenty of attention,
but its marquee player is defensive back Kaheaka-Enhada. The senior had eight
interceptions last year following a six-pick season as a sophomore.
First-team All-Red West selection Aken-Moleta anchors the
offensive line. He does not lack agility by any means. “He’s very quick,”
Hernandez said of the senior, who runs a 5.4 40-yard dash and bench presses 350
pounds. “Very physical. A very
strong boy.”
As the Hurricanes gel, the two standouts will have to lead.
“Those two are gonna have to play out of their minds,” Hernandez said.
Kapolei began with a spread option four years ago under the
tutelage of then-offensive coordinator Michael Carter. The system was tweaked a
year ago to implement Run & Shoot principles.
“We’re gonna try to combine both offenses and not delve too
deeply into both,” Hernandez said. “We’ll try to be balanced.”
This fall, enter junior varsity product Jon Medeiros, who
tossed 12 touchdowns with four picks last year. “Jon is very fast, a track guy.
He has a good arm and never missed a practice,” Hernandez said. “He’s someone
the kids respect.”
Junior Brad Padayao will split time with Medeiros at
quarterback. “He has tremendous quickness,” Hernandez said.
The Hurricanes got a boost of sorts by traveling to
Skinny: The lack
of returning starters may cost Kapolei a win or two, but this staff has been
battle tested. The Hurricanes are closer to the top of the Red West than they
might have expected.
Leilehua Mules
Coach: Nolan Tokuda
2003 record: 2-5 Red West, 3-5
Overall
2003 postseason: None
Players to watch: B.J. Fruean, OLB,
Sr.; Chustin Senas, WR, Jr., 6-1, 180; Bryant Moniz, QB, So., 6-0, 180; Anthony
Palomares, Jr., 6-2, 170.
Outlook: A year ago, with a freshly
minted scar on his right elbow, Nolan Tokuda was a happy camper. Literally. Not long after having surgery to replace a
ligament in his arm, he was on the practice field with his JV Mules, running
the option for a scout team. No pads, of course, but he turned the corner and
beat the defense like no other coach can.
Fast-forward to the present, and the high-energy coach is in
charge of a Mule program that is on the verge of being mighty again. His two
years at the JV level were successful—7-3 and 10-1—and he knows precisely what
his young players are capable of.
Moniz has drawn rave reviews, none brighter than the one from
his coach. “He’s the real deal. He has a great upside,” Tokuda said of the
sophomore quarterback, who had 22 touchdowns and only four interceptions last
year.
His favorite target last year was Chustin Senas, who caught
17 of those touchdown passes in every way possible. “He’s both a possession
receiver and a deep receiver. He can go over the middle, run the slant,” Tokuda
said.
Anthony Palomares will benefit from any defense that leans
too far toward Senas’ side. “He had 10 touchdowns for us two years ago on the
JV,” Tokuda noted.
Personnel strength is allowing him to open up the offense.
There will a lot of Run & Shoot and I Slot formations. But it’s not all
about defense, either.
Fruean is being recruited by
The changeover from Jake Kawamata to Tokuda is notable. “He
had a running offense, a tight end. He won more on special teams and defense,”
Tokuda said. “My nervous system won’t allow for that. That’s why we run a
fastbreak offense. We have a similar philosophy to UH.”
Defensively, Senas will also start at free safety, teaming
with strong safety Mason Edra. “If anything, we’ll get more run support from
the secondary,” Tokuda said.
“
Two final notes about Mule football.
The stadium will be renamed in honor of former head football coach and athletic
director Hugh Yoshida in a ceremony preceding the Nanakuli-Leilehua game,
Tokuda said. And as for the team’s switch from gold uniforms to yellow?
“We wanted to honor the ’84 Prep Bowl champs,” he said.
Skinny: If Moniz
has enough time, this could become the best passing attack in the West. Whether
the Mules can win a close game with a ball-control offense remains to be seen.
Mililani Trojans
Coach: James Millwood
2003 record: 7-0 Red West, 9-3
Overall
2003 postseason: Fourth place in OIA
Red playoffs, lost to Saint Louis in
State Division I first round
Players to watch: Aaron Pooloa, OLB,
Sr., 6-0, 185; Michael Suan, ILB, Sr., 5-10, 200; Ian Kamaka, DE, Sr., 5-11,
210; Sene Ma’afala, G, Sr., 6-2, 365; Jon Santos, WR, Sr., 6-1, 180; Maka
Kahoano, QB, Sr., 5-11, 160.
Outlook: Naysayers got their licks
in last year, when West champion Mililani lost two playoff games, and then fell
in the state tournament.
The Trojans have bounced back with a team that is possibly
better than last year’s squad. Seven starters return to one of the league’s top
defenses. Aaron Pooloa, all-league as a safety, moves to outside linebacker
this fall.
Replacing Mikhail Mabry, who will grayshirt and play for the
University of
Offensively, the Trojans like to add new wrinkles every
year. With a foursome of speedsters in the backfield and tremendous size up
front, they will do plenty of running from Ace and I Slot sets. With plenty of
ground game, Kahoano will have time to find his targets.
“We have great attitudes and good work ethic,” Millwood
said. “They just took over from where we left off last year.”
That’s good news for a Trojan staff that has seen changes in
the West, but plenty of consistency under longtime guru Millwood. Being a
favorite, though, takes some getting used to. “Um … it’s different,” Millwood
admitted. “Ten years before, it was always Wai’anae. I’m hearing good things
about Leilehua, ‘
That would require commitment off the field as well.
Academics and eligibility dropped off late last season, which led to the
post-season skid. This year, players are showing up for
“When I evaluated last season, those were the two things
that hurt us,” said Millwood, a teacher who is on campus, literally, from
sun-up to sundown.
“They get breakfast, so I know they have something in their
stomach before they go to class.”
The early-morning plan is working. Mililani zapped Kaimuki 41-0 Friday.
Skinny: The
favorite to win the Red West.
Nanakuli Golden Hawks
Coach: Al Beaver
2003 record: 4-3 Red West, 5-4
Overall
2003 postseason: Lost to Kailua in
OIA Red first round
Players to watch: Jaycee Alapai, QB,
Sr., 5-11, 185; Raymond Talona, OL/DL, Sr., 5-11, 265; Josh Gisa, LB, Sr.,
5-11, 230.
Outlook: Physically, the Golden
Hawks are as bruising as ever. Early scrimmages with Punahou and Kamehameha
gave Beaver and his staff reason for optimism. “It’s the mental part where we
have breakdowns,” the veteran coach said.
Nanakuli has no qualms about adopting an old-school, veer option
offense. “I’ve got some light running backs,” Beaver explained. Alex Maiava and
Edmund Ybarra will get their touches out of the backfield.
Though the veer may look different, the Golden Hawks aren’t
about to add a googol of pages to the playbook. They’ll rely on basic,
ground-oriented football without sacrificing the air attack completely.
“Alex Distajo and Ili Peneku can both go vertical,” Beaver said
of the two wide receivers.
Defensively, Nanakuli will stick with its 4-3 base defense.
Josh Gisa could become an anchor. “If he makes up his mind to be disciplined,
he could be very good,” Beaver said of the middle linebacker. “He’s gets there,
but he misses tackles. I want him to be more under control.”
Beaver is also counting on senior cornerbacks Julio Jesus
and David Balacao. “They’re good technicians and can keep up with people,” he
said. “They give up height, but they’re learning to strip the ball.”
Free safety John Henry Palakiko is another key defender, but the senior injured a wrist against Punahou. “He could become a big-time player,” Beaver said.
Skinny: What will
the Golden Hawks do when defenses clog the option lanes? Time will tell.
Pearl City Chargers
Coach: Watson Tanuvasa
2003 record: 5-2 Red West, 6-3
Overall
2003 postseason: Lost to Farrington
in OIA Red first round
Players to watch: Steven King,
FS/PK/P, Sr.; Tommy Iinuma, CB, Sr.; Tommy Owens, CB, Sr.; Kurt Wakatsuki, C,
Jr.; Royal Kaua, RB, Sr.; Andrew Blue, RB, Jr.; Chris Maake, OL, Jr.
Outlook: The Chargers’ momentum will
be tested by an improved Red West. They lost key components at quarterback and
on the line, and depth remains a vital issue. If they can stay healthy, the
Chargers have enough talent at the skill positions to make a run for the title.
Without a big running back, the I Slot offers fewer opportunities
for the Chargers, who won’t hesitate to open the field with a four-receiver
set, especially when backs like Kaua possess good hands.
“He’s incredible. He’s got a good attitude and lots of
speed,” Tanuvasa said. “After two years of the I Slot, we had to adapt. Passing
is what separated Kahuku and
The former standout running back at Moanalua still wants
some balance in the offense. “We’re trying to incorporate more of a running
game,” he said. The challenge isn’t easy, especially with one returning
starter, Maake. Chris Wakatsuki, a junior center, saw significant playing time
last season. “He has a 3.8 GPA. He gets mad when he gets Bs,” Tanuvasa said.
Defensively, two Tommys give
That will give King plenty of assurance in the secondary.
“He’s 100-percent athletic. He’ll give his all anywhere,” Tanuvasa said. “Any
team would be fortunate to have him.”
Despite having just one scrimmage in preseason,
Tanuvasa, like his counterparts, sees a stronger Red West.
“We went to Wai’anae last year and got physically beat,” he recalled. “Mililani
has a brilliant coach, but we won’t be outcoached by him again. We know his
tricks.”
The Chargers have the benefit of veteran coaches. “I can’t
ask for a better staff,” Tanuvasa said. “Each one has tremendous experience,
talent and strengths.”
Among them is new defensive coordinator Matt Iida, whose list of coaching stops includes Iolani.
Skinny: The
Chargers can’t afford injuries or academic casualties, especially on an
inexperienced offensive line.
Wai’anae Seariders
Coach: Dan Matsumoto
2003 record: 3-4 Red West, 3-6
Overall
2003 postseason: Lost to Kahuku in
OIA Red first round
Players to watch: Sean Savini, OL,
Sr., 5-9, 250; Chad Puha, S/CB, Sr., 5-9, 175; Kala Honda, QB, Sr., 5-7, 160.
Outlook: The Seariders may not
dominate anymore, but turnout remains mammoth. Wai’anae’s
offense had passing limitations a year ago, but an improved offensive line, as
well as the throwing arm of Honda, gives Searider fans optimism.
Savini isn’t the tallest lineman in the league, but his
explosiveness gives him an edge as the nose guard in Wai’anae’s
three-down linemen set. Puha, a co-captain, is “a good, aggressive player,”
Matsumoto said.
Honda’s versatility will come in handy against teams that
try to stack the box with eight or more defenders. “He’s a coachable player.
His speed has improved. That’s the most impressive thing,” Matsumoto said.
The Seariders spent much of the preseason working on a
shotgun formation, but will still have elements of a two-back option attack.
Matsumoto is counting on his defense to step up for the time being. “It’s
rough. We’re still learning a new offense,” he said. Wai’anae shut out
Skinny: A lot of
weight is on Honda’s shoulders, but he and his teammates are fully confident in
his leadership. The Seariders still have the best home-field advantage in the
West.