HHSAA D-II FOOTBALL
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARBULLETIN.COM
Radford tailback Alex Daniels is a key part of the offense. The Rams face Iolani tomorrow for the state Division II title.
|
|
Radford, Iolani offer contrasts
DESTINY has a sense of humor sometimes.
After all, it was only a few years ago when a 24-year-old, former record-breaking quarterback arrived at Radford High School as the new football coach. He implemented the same run-and-shoot offense that racked up pinball-wizard numbers when he played at Eastern Washington.
Since Fred Salanoa's arrival, the Radford Rams have improved quite nicely without the run-and-shoot. Tomorrow, they play Iolani in the Division II final of the HHSAA/First Hawaiian Bank State Football Championships. Kickoff at Aloha Stadium is set for 5 p.m.
The Rams (10-1) will face an Iolani team that is synonymous with shotgun aerial attacks. Radford, though, has long departed from the air wars. The shotgun, for the most part, is history. Out of single-back formations, Radford runs the ball with verve.
That makes this matchup one of contrasts, and that's enough to make Iolani faithful quite concerned. Last year's D-II state final featured another run-first team, Campbell, in a blowout of the smaller Raiders.
Of course, there's a difference. Campbell's Wing T was a puzzle.
"Campbell's offense was kind of like Capital's, where Radford is more traditional," Iolani coach Wendell Look said, referring to a nonconference opponent.
Here's a look at tomorrow's matchup:
On paper: A stout offensive line led by Ramsey Feagai (6-foot-2, 320) is part of the reason for Radford's run-first penchant. Another is elusive running back Alex Daniels, a Smurf-like 155-pound senior with breathtaking breakaway speed.
"The size difference -- that's always a concern for us," Look said of Radford's linemen. "It's something that we have no control over, so we just have to execute our game plan."
Radford won the Oahu Interscholastic Association White Conference title while losing quarterback Ryan Burciaga to a collarbone injury. Justin Lord, however, has stepped in admirably. The 6-foot, 175-pound junior completed nine of his 16 pass attempts for 145 yards in last week's 37-27 win over Kamehameha-Maui.
"Their quarterback did an excellent job. He was very efficient, didn't make mistakes and played within himself," Look said.
Iolani's offense has earned every bit of ink it has received this season. Kiran Kepo'o (6-2, 220) has turned in another sterling season. The senior passed for 355 yards on 17-of-25 accuracy in last week's 48-20 rout of Moanalua.
Salanoa, a southpaw, grins when he sees Kepo'o play. "He reminds me of myself. He's very accurate and very smart. He's one of those quarterbacks who makes good decisions, and he's well-coached," said Salanoa, who speaks from experience.
It was just four months ago when Salanoa came out of "retirement" to suit up for the Team USA Hawaii squad that played a Japanese all-star team. One of the assistant coaches was Look.
"I kind of know what he's thinking," Salanoa said.
The skinny: Radford may have the best defensive unit in the brief history of the Division II state tournament. Russell Wantkowski (6-0, 210) has garnered plenty of attention locally and nationally for his play at defensive end and linebacker.
Vasa Kuresa, who starts at the opposite end, is vastly overlooked. "He's the most valuable player of our defense," Salanoa said of the 5-10, 205-pound senior. "He does things you cannot really teach. You can make an adjustment on the sideline, and he makes it on the next play. That's not something a lot of players can do."
Kepo'o shredded Moanalua's man coverage with pinpoint passing. The Menehunes had few answers for Iolani's receivers -- Travis Nishioka and Kekai Kealoha combined for 10 catches and more than 250 yards.
X factor: Iolani's Kody Adams is one of the most consistent place-kickers in the state. Radford's Jamie Whitworth may have the strongest leg, with 55-yard range (no tee).
Whitworth's ability to send kickoffs into the end zone could give Radford a substantial edge in field position.
Summary: Daniels has endurance and toughness that belie his slight frame. Last week's statistics weren't eye-popping (14 carries for 57 yards), but he understands the importance of consistency, first downs and ball control for his team.