HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

Future Warrior Tuata makes Kealakehe dangerous

By Paul Honda
phonda@starbulletin.com

They bring out the old, catch you napping and explode with something new.

After more than 30 years of coaching high school football, Cliff Walters knows a thing or two about the old and the new. The Kealakehe coach runs a number of businesses in Kona, including one that puts good use to old stuff and new.

Walters, who loves to air the ball out from myriad formations, puts some of his creative energy to use on Alii Drive. With tourists and locals streaming about, he puts his explosive machinery -- an old-fashioned popcorn machine -- on the sidewalk. From there, the tasty treats do the trick.

"It's a come-on. People will stop and have some popcorn, and then they come in for a time-share presentation," he said. "It's beautiful here in Kona. Always beautiful."

The view will be even nicer if the Waveriders can get past Keaau for the Big Island Interscholastic Federation's Division I title on Saturday.

Walters has engineered a Kealakehe squad that isn't quite as big as last year's team, but has enough speed and versatility to dominate the BIIF. Gabe Tuata is the hub of Kealakehe's high-octane offense.

"I use Gabe like USC used Reggie Bush. He is Reggie Bush to us. I'm not saying he is Reggie Bush, but that's what he means to us," said Walters, who has said that Tuata is the next Chad Owens.

Unlike Owens, Tuata received a scholarship offer from Hawaii, and gave the Warriors a verbal commitment. The hoopla surrounding Tuata's commitment in the media and on Internet sites has been considerable, but then again, it's not often that UH offers a neighbor island skill-position player a scholarship.

Walters is glad the attention is waning already.

"I expected something to be happening toward the end. I wish it could've been later. It kind of detracts from the other kids," he said. "They have hopes, too, and we like to think in terms of the team. They open up the paper and there's No. 5."

The team is surviving the media onslaught partly because Tuata is an unassuming person.

"Gabe's a team player, a really humble kid. The team is happy, and it's Gabe that makes this easy for the team to swallow. The hay is in the barn, and now we can just play football, I think that's what he's thinking now," Walters said.

Now would be the time for Kealakehe to finish the BIIF season with a perfect record. The 'Riders are 11-0 overall, including 9-0 in league play. One more win would qualify No. 8 Kealakehe for the state tournament. The BIIF champion is scheduled to face the Oahu Interscholastic Association runner-up at Mililani's field next week.

If the Waveriders get there, they have a chance to go further than Kealakehe's last two championship teams. Those squads lost to Leilehua and Waianae at Kealakehe's field.

Here's a look at this weekend's games:

TOMORROW

BIIF

Keaau (7-4) at Kealakehe (11-0, 9-0) -- The Cougars began the season with a bumpy ride, but have finished strong. Running back Bronson Kaneao is a force for Keaau's offense, which ranked second in BIIF scoring at nearly 24 points per game.

"They have good speed, tough kids. We expect a good game out of them. They have a good quarterback and they pass 90 percent of the time," Walters said. "They have good receivers, and the running back can catch the ball out of the backfield."

Kealakehe won the regular-season matchup 47-7, but will face a reborn team.

"I went over and filmed their game, and they're ready to play us, that's for sure. They're not afraid of us," Walters said. "They even run a wishbone. They give you a lot of formations and keep you on your toes. We expect a much closer game for the championship."

Tuata has run for more than 1,600 yards, but Max Papalii has returned from an injury to balance the backfield. Keoki Limahai's passing has also added balance to an offense that scores nearly 50 points per game.

Kealakehe's defense, anchored in part by linebacker Fetu Longi, has permitted just 41 points. Longi also plays running back, giving Walters a 205-pound power runner.

Konawaena (7-4, 6-2) at Kamehameha-Hawaii (8-2, 7-2) -- The Warriors started the season with a younger team, but have progressed and gained momentum. Running back Colten Wong has been a prolific producer for the defending Division II champions.

Reece Alnas, a senior defensive back, was a big player in the Warriors' 25-19 win at Konawaena a month ago. The three-sport standout returned an interception 51 yards for a touchdown and also caught a scoring pass in that key win.

Konawaena lost starting quarterback Kawai Kanuha to an injury two weeks ago, but rebounded and surprised Honokaa 20-0 last week.

OIA

No. 2 Kahuku (8-2) vs. No. 3 Waianae (7-3), Aloha Stadium -- The three-time OIA Red champion Red Raiders have won big games this season under new head coach Reggie Torres. Last week's 13-7 win over Leilehua silenced those who weren't sure Kahuku could handle a team with passing proficiency.

Nai Fotu and Kaniela Tuipulotu continue to anchor Kahuku's 3-4 and 4-3 fronts. They'll face a Waianae offensive line that has manhandled opponents all season long.

Kahuku's offense, meanwhile, was in normal smashmouth form last week. Backup running back Junior Mataafa broke off an 82-yard touchdown run to give his team a fourth-quarter lead.

Waianae's offense, guided by Ben McQuown, has shown more balance than Kahuku's run-first, run-second, run-third attack. McQuown is the X Factor. He turned the ball over twice in last week's 7-6 win over Mililani, but also scrambled for key first downs. He rushed for 90 yards on just seven carries.

Linebackers Chad Duran and George Kauwalu spearhead the Searider defense, one of the best in the state.

Kaimuki (6-3-1) vs. Waipahu (6-2-2), Aloha Stadium -- Both teams have qualified for the state tournament, but their focus is still on winning the White Conference title. Matt Soueira was a difference-maker in Waipahu's 19-14 regular-season win over the Bulldogs nearly two months ago. Soueira caught a touchdown pass and ran for a 62-yard score, and the Marauder defense permitted just 155 total yards.

Kaimuki has been on a roll, ousting top seed Kaiser last week to earn a state berth.

Both OIA games will air at www.oc16.tv/sports/livestream on the Internet, as well as on OC 16.

SATURDAY

ILH

Damien (3-6-1, 2-4-1) vs. Iolani (4-5-1, 2-4-1), Kaiser Stadium -- A state-tournament berth is at stake in this Division II tiebreaker. Damien running back Kama Bailey has rushed for a whopping 1,278 yards and 11 touchdowns, including his best game of 301 yards and three scores against Iolani.

Damien tied Iolani 34-all in their first meeting, then toppled the defending ILH D-II champs 14-10 in their second matchup. The Raiders' run-and-shoot is the antithesis to Damien's power game. Ryan Dung threw for 254 yards and three touchdowns in the first game with Damien.

OIA

No. 9 Mililani (7-3) at No. 7 Leilehua (7-3) -- There's always plenty of intensity when these neighboring rivals meet, but now there's a state berth at stake. When they met in early September at Hugh Yoshida Stadium, Bryant Moniz threw for 237 yards, three touchdowns and no picks. Micah Abreu-Laybon amassed 191 yards from scrimmage, including a 68-yard touchdown pass.

Mililani's passing game has come around since. Rustin Funakoshi's accuracy and Isaiah Lawelawe's running ability have taken a load off the OIA's leading rusher, Jordan Torres.




FOOTBALL

High school standings

ILH

Division I

League



Overall
Team W L T PF PA W L T PF PA
Saint Louis 7 0 0 227 120 10 0 0 306 140
Punahou 4 3 0 217 184 7 3 0 281 210
Kamehameha 4 3 0 139 91 8 3 0 227 136

Division II

League



Overall
Team W L T PF PA W L T PF PA
Damien 2 3 1 105 165 3 6 1 166 250
Iolani 2 4 1 143 202 4 5 1 214 252
Pac-Five 0 6 0 94 171 3 7 0 194 266

OIA

Red East
Conference


Overall
Team W L T PF PA W L T PF PA
Farrington 5 1 0 198 112 6 3 0 247 152
Kahuku 5 1 0 192 71 8 2 0 281 121
McKinley 4 2 0 120 115 5 4 0 169 194
Castle 3 3 0 128 112 3 6 0 159 164
Kailua 3 3 0 96 118 4 4 0 128 152
Moanalua 1 5 0 110 229 2 6 0 158 255
Kalaheo 0 6 0 104 191 1 7 0 198 225

Red West
Conference


Overall
Team W L T PF PA W L T PF PA
Waianae 5 1 0 143 65 7 3 0 212 129
Leilehua 5 1 0 141 98 7 3 0 198 165
Mililani 4 2 0 146 115 7 3 0 245 163
Kapolei 3 3 0 96 148 4 5 0 138 236
Aiea 2 4 0 140 168 4 6 0 206 267
Campbell 1 5 0 105 131 3 5 0 160 144
Radford 1 5 0 117 163 2 6 0 164 208

White
Conference


Overall
Team W L T PF PA W L T PF PA
Kaiser 6 1 1 263 71 6 3 1 290 125
Waialua 5 2 1 209 137 6 3 1 283 193
Waipahu 5 1 2 166 75 6 2 2 201 129
Pearl City 5 2 1 204 122 6 2 1 211 128
Kaimuki 5 2 1 198 94 6 3 1 236 151
Roosevelt 3 5 0 172 184 4 6 0 172 225
Nanakuli 2 4 2 118 146 2 5 2 130 173
Anuenue 1 7 0 83 255 1 8 0 89 265
Kalani 0 8 0 20 338 0 9 0 26 412

KIF



Conference


Overall
Team W L T PF PA W L T PF PA
Kauai 6 0 0 220 22 7 0 0 227 28
Waimea 3 3 0 87 148 5 3 0 158 168
Kapaa 0 6 0 58 195 1 7 0 85 231

MIL



Second round


Overall
Team W L T PF PA W L T PF PA
King Kekaulike 3 1 1 217 117 6 3 1 310 256
Lahainaluna 3 1 1 116 149 7 2 1 263 117
Baldwin 4 0 1 159 44 9 0 1 344 86
KS-Maui 1 2 1 94 121 3 5 1 208 237
Maui 0 3 1 41 115 1 7 1 115 253
Pac-Three 0 4 1 54 205 0 9 1 111 402



First round


Overall
Team W L T PF PA W L T PF PA
Baldwin 5 0 0 185 42 5 0 0 185 42
Lahainaluna 4 1 0 147 68 4 1 0 147 68
King Kekaulike 3 2 0 123 139 3 2 0 123 139
KS-Maui 3 3 0 153 122 3 3 0 153 122
Maui 1 5 0 80 177 1 5 0 80 177
Pac-Three 0 5 0 57 197 0 5 0 57 197

BIIF



Conference


Overall
Team W L T PF PA W L T PF PA
Kealakehe 9 0 0 439 34 10 0 0 496 41
Honokaa 7 2 0 211 177 7 4 0 238 245
Konawaena 6 3 0 201 127 7 4 0 227 144
Keaau 6 3 0 231 176 7 3 0 259 179
KS-Hawaii 7 2 0 340 166 8 2 0 367 166
Waiakea 4 5 0 152 184 4 7 0 155 250
Hawaii Prep 3 6 0 120 194 3 7 0 129 221
Kohala 1 8 0 135 296 1 8 0 135 296
Hilo 2 7 0 116 206 2 8 0 136 229
Ka'u 0 9 0 26 401 0 9 0 26 401

ILH statistics

TEAM OFFENSE G Rush Pass Total Avg
Punahou 6 509 1,678 2,187 364.5
Iolani 5 732 998 1,730 346.0
Saint Louis 6 1,051 971 2,022 337.0
Damien 6 1,279 475 1,754 292.3
Pac-Five 6 877 725 1,602 267.0
Kamehameha 5 495 479 974 194.8

TEAM DEFENSE G Rush Pass Total Avg
Kamehameha 5 523 605 1,128 225.6
Saint Louis 6 268 1,095 1,363 227.2
Damien 6 882 1,002 1,884 314.0
Pac-Five 6 1,034 952 1,986 331.0
Punahou 6 1,016 993 2,009 334.8
Iolani 5 1,320 679 1,999 399.8

RUSHING G Att Yds TD YPC YPG
Bailey, DAM 6 153 953 8 6.2 158.8
Yamamoto, IOL 5 96 553 7 5.8 110.6
Ho-Ching, PAC 6 46 435 1 9.5 72.5
Mamiya STL 6 47 366 7 7.8 61.0
Chun, KAM 5 59 318 6 5.4 63.6
Augustus, PAC 6 66 304 1 4.6 50.7
Hilliard, PUN 6 57 303 5 5.3 50.5
Montez, KAM 5 44 194 1 4.4 38.8
Auelua, STL 4 20 185 0 9.3 46.3
Dung, IOL 5 28 163 2 5.8 32.6

PASSING G Comp Att Pct. Yds TD INT
Kan, PUN 6 128 209 0.61 1,600 13 6
Dung, IOL 5 72 147 0.49 977 4 6
Mamiya, STL 6 65 114 0.57 968 10 2
Beirne, PAC 6 55 130 0.42 646 2 11
Hoke, KAM 5 38 75 0.51 479 4 2
Martin, DAM 6 43 105 0.41 475 2 2

RECEIVING G Rec Yds TD YPC YPG
Ostrowski, PUN 6 46 706 8 15.3 117.7
Hilliard, PUN 6 22 204 0 9.3 34.0
Kim, PUN 6 22 252 1 11.5 42.0
Fujioka, IOL 5 20 259 1 13.0 51.8
Ho-Ching, PAC 6 18 229 0 12.7 38.2
Hirokawa, IOL 5 17 376 2 22.1 75.2
Furukawa, IOL 5 17 167 1 9.8 33.4
Whitford, PUN 6 16 195 2 12.2 32.5
Kaina, DAM 6 16 168 0 10.5 28.0
Augustus, PAC 6 16 139 0 8.7 23.2
Ahlo, STL 6 14 225 5 16.1 37.5

SCORING G TD FG 2pt PAT TOT
Bailey, DAM 6 10 0 0 0 60
Ostrowski, PUN 6 10 0 0 0 60
Mamiya, STL 6 7 0 0 0 42
Yamamoto, IOL 5 7 0 0 0 42
Chun, KAM 5 6 0 0 0 36
Kim, PUN 6 1 3 0 21 36
Chun, STL 6 0 4 0 21 33
Ahlo 6 5 0 0 0 30
Satele, PAC 6 5 0 0 0 30
Hilliard, PUN 6 5 0 0 0 30
Martin, DAM 6 4 0 2 0 28
Adams, IOL 5 0 5 0 11 26


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