ALL-STATE FOOTBALL
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARBULLETIN.COM
Punahou's Jonathan Overton is the Star-Bulletin's Defensive Player of the Year, and the Buffanblu's Kale Ane is Coach of the Year.
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Overton was everywhere
DEFENSE
ASK him to clamor for the spotlight, and Jonathan Overton would rather remain buried in the trenches.
Force him to be the focus of attention and he might respond with a Frankenstein pose for the camera. That would be apt, of course, since the Punahou senior wreaked havoc in a most diligent way this season.
The 6-foot-3, 245-pound defensive tackle/end got plenty of respect from a panel of coaches and media in the All-State voting. The panel elected the unassuming lineman as Star-Bulletin Defensive Player of the Year in close balloting with a multitude of talented athletes.
The choices were almost too many for the panel, resulting in a second-team defense that is nearly on par with the first team.
Because of Punahou's 3-4 defensive scheme, Overton at times was an inside force, and at other times, a container on the perimeter. His acceleration and lateral speed were eye-popping. Many times, he chased down some of the top running backs in the state, both in the backfield and downfield.
His ability to counter anything an offensive line strategized against him was unmatched.
"It's rare to have someone like him, someone who can keep moving," Punahou coach Kale Ane said. "We didn't have to blitz a lot, just used a three-man line with eight defensive backs sometimes to get pressure. It didn't matter who we were playing."
Overton's knack for making big plays, particularly sacks, in the final minutes of big games was undeniable. His dedication to conditioning played a huge part in Punahou's success at the line of scrimmage.
The last time Ane had a lineman as good may have been Jason Ching, who went on to Notre Dame.
"Jason just bulldozed people," Ane said. "Jon's able to use his hands."
Damien coach Dean Nakagawa saw a lot of outstanding linemen this season, including a few of his own.
"Overton being a top player is a no-brainer. He played at a real high level this year. He's not a real big rah-rah guy, just a quiet kid who went about his job," Nakagawa said. "Championship teams are built upon guys like him. A lot of guys deserved it, but you can't go wrong with him as player of the year."
Overton outpointed Kahuku defensive end B.J. Beatty and Moanalua linebacker Quinton Tang. Also receiving votes were Kamehameha linebackers Gerritt Vincent and Mana Lolotai, Damien defensive tackle Mike Sipili, Iolani linebacker Jon Takamura, Kahuku defensive tackle Joseph Faifili and Mililani linebacker Josh Andrews.
Kahuku led the charge on first-team defense with three players: Beatty, Faifili and Kevin Unga. Punahou had two first-teamers in Overton and safety Jay Angotti. Two Iolani Raiders also were voted to the first team: linebacker Jon Takamura and cornerback Landon Patoc.
Tang, Moanalua's standout linebacker-running back, was selected to the first team as a utility player.
Pac-Five defensive end Russel Fisher quietly rose as a force in Interscholastic League of Honolulu play to make the first team.
Mililani cornerback Chris Dickerson, who has been one of the top defensive backs in the state for two years, drew plenty of respect from voters even though the Trojans didn't play in the state tourney.
FIRST TEAM
TACKLE
JONATHAN OVERTON
Punahou
6-3, 245, Sr.
TACKLE
JOSEPH FAIFILI
Kahuku
6-3, 280, Sr.
END
B.J. BEATTY
Kahuku
6-2, 215, Sr.
END
RUSSEL FISHER
Pac-Five
6-2, 251, Sr.
LINEBACKER
KEVIN UNGA
Kahuku
6-2, 222, Sr.
LINEBACKER
GERRITT VINCENT
Kamehameha
5-9, 195, Sr.
LINEBACKER
JON TAKAMURA
Iolani
6-2, 210, Sr.
CORNERBACK
CHRIS DICKERSON
Mililani
5-11, 175, Sr.
CORNERBACK
LANDON PATOC
Iolani
5-8, 175, Sr.
SAFETY
JAY ANGOTTI
Punahou
5-10, 190, Sr.
SAFETY
STEPHEN LEI
Saint Louis
6-3, 197, Sr.
UTILITY
QUINTON TANG
Moanalua
5-11, 215, Sr.
Not pictured: Punter -- Drew Ueno, Kamehameha, 5-10, 170, Sr.
Second Team
DT |
Lolomana Mikaele |
Damien |
6-2 |
260 |
Sr. |
DT |
Kaniela Tuipulotu |
Kahuku |
6-2 |
261 |
Jr. |
DT |
Kamalu Umu |
Saint Louis |
6-2 |
280 |
Sr. |
DE |
Michael Sipili |
Damien |
6-1 |
240 |
Sr. |
DE |
(tie) Dylan Rush |
Konawaena |
6-2 |
225 |
Sr. |
DE |
(tie) Russell Wantowski |
Radford |
6-0 |
210 |
Sr. |
LB |
Jared Silva |
Saint Louis |
5-10 |
211 |
Sr. |
LB |
Sam Higgins |
Punahou |
5-10 |
175 |
Sr. |
LB |
Josh Andrews |
Mililani |
6-0 |
210 |
Jr. |
CB |
Trevor Maldon |
Radford |
5-7 |
165 |
Sr. |
CB |
Kale Kwak |
Saint Louis |
5-9 |
155 |
Sr. |
S |
Drew Ueno |
Kamehameha |
5-10 |
170 |
Sr. |
S |
Suaesi Tuimaunei |
Kahuku |
6-1 |
182 |
Sr. |
Ret |
Lofa Liilii |
Aiea |
5-10 |
160 |
Jr. |
P |
Jon Takamura |
Iolani |
6-2 |
210 |
Sr. |
Honorable mention
Defensive tackle: Micah Wily, Kahuku; John Sagapolutele, Farrington; Elliott Purcell, Saint Louis; Ikaika Mahoe, Kamehameha-Hawaii; Isaac Tuilaepa, Aiea.
Defensive end: Kapono Crivello-Rawlins, Kamehameha; Scott Smith, Saint Louis.
Linebacker: Corey Paredes, Castle; Steven Dannaway, Punahou; Mana Lolotai, Kamehameha.
Safety: Stanford Leti, Moanalua; Tai Papalii, Kealakehe; Nicholas Tepea, Kailua; Jensen Somera, Baldwin; Paa Kaumaoha, Kaiser; Scott Keiter-Charles, Castle.
Cornerback: Lokahi Domingo, Castle; Tai Papalii, Kealakehe; Randy Villaver, Farrington.
Punter: Keoki Hong, Punahou.
Returner: Jordan Ho-Ching, Pac-Five; Aaron Nichols, Kamehameha.