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Wednesday, February 2, 2000
Good intentions
St. Louis quarterback Timmy
'Bows keeping isles' best
Chang tops a list of 11 players on
the Star-Bulletin's All-State team
who have verbally committed
to play for the Rainbows
This year's squad
Honorable mention Aaron E. Custodio
Special to the Star-Bulletin
June Jones and his coaching staff at the University of Hawaii have made it clear that they would like to keep the state's best football players from leaving the islands.
They seem to be getting their message across, but will know for sure today, the first day players can sign national letters of intent.
Timmy Chang of St. Louis, considered the 21st-best quarterback in the country by Rivals.com., has verbally committed to the Rainbows.
Chang, named offensive player of the year on the Star-Bulletin's All-State football team, is one of 11 players on the elite squad who have indicated that they will play for the Rainbows.
"It's always been important to keep the local kids at home," said quarterback coach Dan Morrison. "The coaching staff knows that the football players here are and have been good and we want them to know that they are wanted here."
In Jones' first season, the Warriors, who were 0-12 in 1998, rebounded last fall to 9-4, including a share of the Western Athletic Conference championship and a victory in the Oahu Bowl.That translated into more interest from local high school players.
"The response has been a very positive one," Morrison said. "We know that it's a tough decision that they need to make in their lives but June is committed to keeping some of the local talent home."
The 'Bows also received oral commitments from slotback Gerald Welch (St. Louis), All-State linemen Phil Kauffman (St. Louis) and Ryan Santos (Mililani), and linebacker Isaiah Alameda (Kamehameha).
Chang a humble MVP
If there was an award for sportsmanship, Chang would claim that distinction, too."Timmy (Chang) is the most humble guy," St. Louis coach Cal Lee said. "He shies away from all the attention and gives credit to his teammates.
"He was never concerned about throwing more touchdowns or breaking local and national records. All that concerned him was winning the football game. He typifies the ultimate team player."
His statistics were not humble at all.
The 6-foot-2, 185-pound quarterback threw for 64 touchdowns, one shy of the national record held by J.R. House of Nitro (W.Va.). Chang also completed 273 of 439 passes for 4,039 yards.
Chang set Interscholastic League of Honolulu records for touchdowns (38) and passing yards (2,693) in the regular season, and touchdown passes in one game (8).
In December after Chang led St. Louis to the inaugural state football championship and was awarded the Dick Butkus Football Network's C. David Baker National High School Player of the Year award.
"I give all the credit to everyone else," Chang said. "I had an athletic cast as well as great coaches. I had two good receivers, Isaac (Rodrigues) and Gerald (Welch), who would catch the ball for 5 yards and then would run for 60 more.
"My offensive line did an excellent job. I was only sacked about 18 times during the entire season and I give them credit for keeping me healthy."
Curnan, Ala sacked rivals
St. Louis' Ikaika Curnan and Kamehameha's Houston Ala created havoc for opposing coaches, and were named co-Defensive Players of the Year."Ikaika is like a quarterback on the defense -- he puts everyone in position," Lee said. "He is a tremendous hard worker. He has great natural ability, speed and range, and I think that is what colleges are looking for. You couldn't ask for anyone better -- physically -- to play middle linebacker."
The 5-11, 210-pound Curnan finished the season with 146 tackles (34 for a loss), six sacks, 38 hurries, 19 knockdowns, two force fumbles and recovered four more. He did all this while averaging only two quarters of playing time.
Curnan also recorded a career high of 20 tackles twice: against Kamehameha in the ILH championship game and against Waianae in the first round of the state tournament.
The same was said of Ala.
"Houston was a dominating force in the ILH," Kamehameha coach Kanani Souza said. "His presence raised the level of our players.
"Teams knew they had to neutralize him by putting their best blocker on him, double-teaming him, or getting rid of the ball faster.
"He is the best defensive player I ever had."
The 6-1, 220-pound Ala finished with 12 sacks, 92 tackles (16 for a loss), 28 hurries, three knockdowns and four fumble recoveries.
Souza's team chemistry
Souza, named the coach of the year, led Kamehameha, arguably the "second-best" team in the state, to an 11-2 record, including a 30-6 victory over the then nationally ranked No. 2 Crusaders."His background and experience showed this year," Iolani coach Wendall Look said. "The way he prepared this season against St. Louis and beating them handedly is a testament to his coaching ability."
The ILH is granted one bid into the eight-team state football tournament.
St. Louis, the eventual state champion, earned the bid after defeating Kamehameha in the ILH title game.
"I felt we would have a chance to win the whole thing," Souza said.
"I think this team -- as a team -- is not the most talented but the team chemistry I must say is the best I've ever experienced. In my four seasons as head coach, I enjoyed coaching this team the most."
Where they're going
Defensive lineman Joshua Noga of Farrington is expected to sign with the University of San Diego. Teammate Ransen Rodrigues, a linebacker, has not made a decision yet.Defensive back Gavin Ng of Mililani also has not made a decision, but he could end up walking on at UH.
Pac-Five's Britt Komine will walk on at UH.
Linebacker/defensive back Roger Majit-Gorian of Kailua will sign with Eastern Washington.
This year's squad features 21 seniors, all of whom are expected to sign letters of intent to play football at universities throughout the nation. Here's where they're going: Honolulu Star-Bulletin
All-State Team
OFFENSE
POS/ SCHOOL HT. WT. YR. COLLEGE Timmy Chang QB St. Louis 6-2 185 12 Hawaii Kala Latuselu RB Kahuku 5-11 200 12 Utah Pesefea Fiaseu RB St. Louis 5-10 195 11 Underclassman Gerald Welch R St. Louis 5-9 190 12 Hawaii Britt Komine R Pac-Five 5-10 180 12 Hawaii Isaac Rodrigues R St. Louis 5-8 170 12 Undecided Phil Kauffman OL St. Louis 6-1 275 12 Hawaii Keoki Fraser OL Kailua 6-3 300 12 Arizona Ryan Santos OL Mililani 6-5 292 12 Hawaii Mark Narkon OL St. Louis 6-0 225 12 Undecided Chad Kahale OL St. Louis 6-2 290 12 Hawaii Orlando Wong U Kahuku 6-1 180 12 Hawaii
Player of the Year: Timmy Chang
DEFENSE
Houston Ala DL Kamehameha 6-1 220 12 Hawaii Lyle Maiava DL St. Louis 6-2 300 11 Underclassman Joshua Noga DL Farrington 5-10 250 12 U. of San Diego Jonathan Mapu DL Kahuku 6-3 260 10 Underclassman Ikaika Curnan LB St. Louis 5-11 210 11 Underclassman Ransen Rodrigues LB Farrington 6-0 175 12 Undecided Ikaika Blackburn LB Baldwin 5-10 185 12 Undecided Watson Hoohuli LB Kamehameha 6-0 211 12 Hawaii Una Latu DB St. Louis 5-9 165 12 Utah Leonard Peters DB Kahuku 6-1 165 12 Hawaii Gavin Ng DB Mililani 5-9 165 12 Undecided Braddah Choy-Foo DB Kailua 6-1 181 12 Oregon State
SPECIAL TEAMS
Justin Ayat K Kamehameha 6-0 195 12 Hawaii R.J. Morse P Iolani 6-2 220 11 Underclassman Peter Sarono KR Waianae 5-7 175 11 Underclassman
Honorable mention
OFFENSE
DEFENSE
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