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Kaiser fueled
by bad memories
After missing the playoffs last year
due to an ineligible player, the Cougars
focus on reaching the postseason
It was an afternoon that began with promise and ended with tears.
Members of the Kaiser football team had arrived at the school's field anxious to begin preparations for a playoff game with Kapolei that October weekend. The Cougars were among the four teams preparing for the Oahu Interscholastic Association White Conference playoffs, having earned a berth with a win over Kalaheo the previous week.
But just as the Cougars had worked up a sweat, head coach David Maeva abruptly brought the team together for an unexpected meeting.
"We thought we were going to the playoffs, we thought we were going for the Division II (championship)," Cougars quarterback Steven Pratt said. "We were practicing and Coach said, 'Put your pads away.' "
The Cougars had an ineligible player on the roster for the Kalaheo game, grounds for a forfeit that knocked Kaiser out of the postseason last year.
"We're just mad because everybody tried so hard to make it to the playoffs," lineman Rusty LaBoy said. "We were just upset."
The sudden twist was a bitter way for the Kaiser seniors to close their high school careers, and for those who would return, the disappointment would eventually transform into motivation for the upcoming season.
"I know the guys who are returning, that's all they talk about, trying to finish it and do it right this year," Maeva said.
"Half my team is new and it's a matter of getting the new guys to believe and know the hurt these guys went through last year when I had to stop practice and explain what was happening. ... The faster we get the new guys to feel what we felt and believe, that'll just make us a better team this year."
For the Cougars to earn a trip to the postseason this fall, they'll need to survive what figures to be a wide-open battle for the OIA White Conference title.
As the summer gives way to fall, just about every team in the OIA White enters the new season with reason to believe they'll be playing when the conference playoffs begin this October.
"It's supposed to be strong all the way around and I'm just looking for a real tough season from game to game," Radford coach Fred Salanoa said. "I really don't see any top team, it's just who makes the least mistakes come game night."
Optimism is running high throughout the conference as teams prepare for this week's regular-season openers. Radford plays at Moanalua and Campbell hosts Kalaheo on Friday. Waialua travels to Waipahu on Saturday.
Kaiser and Kalani, which ended a lengthy losing streak with a win over Roosevelt last week, renew their East Oahu rivalry on Saturday as well.
Campbell and Waipahu move in from the OIA Red West, trading places with Kapolei and Aiea, and all of the conference's coaches expect a wild chase for the four playoff berths.
"Parity is something that has spread across the board, regardless of division," Waipahu coach Sean Saturnio said. "Even though we're going down to the White division from the Red, we're not overlooking anyone.
"You'd better get your kids ready to play every night. That makes it exciting. That's why kids play, that's why coaches coach."
For Kaiser, the start of the new campaign represents a chance to finally erase the memories of last year's upsetting conclusion to the season.
"I'm not disappointed any more," Pratt said. "It's my senior year and we just have to try harder. It's motivation."
OIA White Conference
CAMPBELL SABERS
Coach: Tumoana Kenessey2003 record: 2-5 Red West, 2-6 Overall
2003 postseason: None
Players to watch: WR/DB Isaac Laupola, QB/DB Shaye Asoao, RB Anthony Shimizu, DL Kealii Basham, DL Jacob Achiu, DB Chris Ganigan, OL Keoni Gaui, LB Preston Aano.
Outlook: The Sabers moved to the OIA White after three seasons in the Red Conference and were bolstered by the addition of QB Shaye Asoau, who played for Kaimuki last year.
"He has all the gifts; intelligent, knows the game," Kenessey said. "I think he'll be a tremendous asset."
He'll have one of the OIA's top receivers to throw to in Isaac Laupola, who led the Red West with 522 receiving yards last season. Bookend defensive ends Kealii Basham and Jacob Achiu spearhead the Sabers' defense.
KAISER COUGARS
Coach: David Maeva2003 record: 3-4 White, 3-5 Overall
2003 postseason: None
Players to watch: QB Steven Pratt, QB Shannon Wise, WR Matt Ching, OL/DL Rusty LaBoy, RB/DB Josh Chase, LB Jarryd Maeda
Outlook: Numbers continue to be an obstacle for the Cougars, but they do have a solid core of seniors who are entering their third season of varsity competition. While QB Steven Pratt (1,304 passing yards, nine TDs last season) recovers from a knee injury, Shannon Wise has been taking snaps in addition to his various duties on defense and special teams. Maeva believes receiver Matt Ching (6-1, 185) could be a Division I college prospect. Rusty LaBoy returns to anchor the offensive and defensive lines. Jarryd Maeda is a tenacious linebacker and RB/DB Josh Chase is one of the Cougars' top athletes.
KALAHEO MUSTANGS
Coach: Tony Tuioti2003 record: 4-3 White, 4-5 Overall
2003 postseason: Lost to Kapolei in OIA White first round
Players to watch: QB David Pershin, WR/DL Toli Ilaoa, CB/SB Willie Haile, DB Sean Mulcahey, CB Marvin Judd, DL Mike Andrews
Outlook: Tuioti's second season as coach figures to be a learning experience for both the Kalaheo players and coaches.
"There's a lot of people who are so new, it's going to take you a couple of games to figure out where your strength is," Tuioti said. "We're inconsistent and a lot of that has to do with being so young."
The Mustangs have just 10 seniors, and will be led by a solid junior class. QB David Pershin is back under center after throwing for 10 TDs last season. Toli Ilaoa, the younger brother of University of Hawaii slotback Nate Ilaoa, is a big target (6-2, 200) at receiver and will also play defensive end.
KALANI FALCONS
Coach: Greg Taguchi2003 record: 0-7 White, Overall
2003 postseason: None
Players to watch: QB Preston Pires, RB/DB Dustin Umeda, WR/DB Carson Chun, LB/RB James Miyashiro, OL/DL Thomas Edel, OL/DL Todd Dooher, OL/DL Thomas Moriyasu
Outlook: The Kalani football field is a bit more crowded this season with 38 players on the varsity roster, including 16 returnees. The Falcons will vary their offensive looks according to the opposition, ranging from a quick passing game to an option attack. Preston Pires returns at quarterback and is joined in the backfield by Dustin Umeda and Carson Kim. LB James Miyashiro is among the team's top defenders. The Falcons aren't big up front and stopping the run will be a key. Thomas Edel, Todd Dooher and Thomas Moriyasu figure to play vital roles on both sides of the ball.
MOANALUA MENEHUNES
Coach: Arnold Martinez2003 record: 2-5 White, 2-6 Overall
2003 postseason: None
Players to watch: LB Quintin Tang, QB Stanford Leti, QB/WR John Estores, OL Ervin Smiley, DB Brandon Taniyama
Outlook: Although the Menehunes return just 10 varsity players, Martinez feels his team is "light years" ahead of where it was last year.
"We have a core of returning guys who are real familiar with what we do, but we're young," Martinez said. "I don't think you can pinpoint what's going to happen until those guys get into the line of fire."
Three players who started as sophomores return as leaders this year. LB Quintin Tang is the team's top defender while QB Stanford Leti returns to run the Menehunes' option offense. Senior lineman Ervin Smiley (6-4, 295) gives Moanalua some bulk on the line.
RADFORD RAMS
Coach: Fred Salanoa2003 record: 5-2 White, 5-4 Overall
2003 postseason: Lost to Aiea in OIA White first round
Players to watch: OL Chad Afi, OL Matt Otegero, OL Chris Espenshade, QB Ryan Burciaga, WR/DB Stephen Baughn, CB Trevor Maldon
Outlook: The Rams' playoff run last year has sparked interest in the football program on the Radford campus. A veteran offensive line -- led by Chad Afi, Matt Otegero and Chris Espenshade -- forms the foundation for the Rams' passing attack. Junior lineman Ramsey Feagai (6-3, 320) has also moved from defense to offense and could develop into a college prospect. Junior QB Ryan Burciaga recently returned from a broken bone in his throwing hand and sat out last week's loss to Leilehua. The Rams will utilize the athletic gifts of last year's QB, Stephen Baughn, as a safety and slot receiver. The defense is young and is led by juniors CB Trevor Maldon, DE Russell Wantowski and LB Bronson Leafa.
WAIALUA BULLDOGS
Coach: Lincoln Barit2003 record: 1-6 White, 1-7 Overall
2003 postseason: None
Players to watch: DB Jerrold McNulty, LB Walter Fore, DL Shawyn Peiler, RB Alvin Foster, DE Socrates Menor, WR Chris Ballesteros, WR Jovi Lo
Outlook: The Bulldogs are in rebuilding mode in Barit's second season with just 11 seniors on a 39-player roster. Sophomore QB Caleb Fore is being groomed for the starting job after a solid summer pass league season. He'll operate a spread offense behind a young line comprised of four juniors and sophomore Alika Scholtz (6-0, 260). Chris Ballesteros and Jovi Lo are the top returnees at receiver along with slots Jacob Valmoja and Kekai Souza. Safety Jerrold McNulty returns to lead the secondary. DL Shawyn Peiler and LB Casey Onizuka anchor the defensive front.
WAIPAHU MARAUDERS
Coach: Sean Saturnio2003 record: 1-6 Red West, 1-8 Overall
2003 postseason: None
Players to watch: SB Stan Abasial, QB Austen Benito, WR Ricky Noble, OL Frazer Nu'u, OL Matt Namu, LB Sonny Fagatiai, DB Ryan Winfree.
Outlook: Despite playing with a 26-man roster in the Red West last year, the Marauders were in most of their games until fatigue set in later in the contests. Depth is an issue again this year, but Saturnio has experienced leaders on both offense and defense.
"We've got a couple of pukas here and there but the kids are working extremely hard so hopefully that bears fruit," Saturnio said.
The Marauders are inexperienced on the line, but Saturnio believes junior DL Shannon Saili could develop into a special player. Waipahu is solid at the skill positions on offense with QB Austen Benito, SB Stan Abasial and WR Ricky Noble returning.
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2 prep games on
pay per view
Two of the featured games highlighting the first weekend of interleague football action will be televised live on a pay-per-view basis.
Oceanic Cable will broadcast Saturday's interleague football doubleheader at Aloha Stadium pitting last year's top teams from the ILH and OIA.
ILH and OIA runners-up Kamehameha and Kailua play at 4 p.m. Kahuku and Saint Louis meet in a rematch of last year's Division I state championship at 7.
Both games can be purchased for $12.99 by calling Oceanic Cable at 625-8100.
The games will also be carried live on radio by Starcomm Sports Radio. The broadcasts can be heard on KHNR 650 AM and KPOI 97.5 FM.
