HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
SB FILE / 2006
Punahou's Dalton Hilliard, a standout at running back last year, may play both ways this year.
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Buffanblu built to win this season
Coach Ane believes in Punahou’s potential
STORY SUMMARY »
Although Punahou lost three All-State performers off last year's team, voters in the Star-Bulletin's preseason Top 10 don't expect much of a drop-off for the Buffanblu this season.
Punahou checks in at No. 4 in the ranking and ninth-year coach Kale Ane is excited about his team's athleticism. Manti Te'o and Dalton Hilliard are among the leaders and both could play both ways this fall.
Punahou opens with McKinley on Saturday.
STAR-BULLETIN
FULL STORY »
THE average fan wouldn't make a great coach, at least emotionally.
Top 10 Countdown
With high school football starting on Aug. 17, the Star-Bulletin is counting down its preseason Top 10, as determined in a poll of coaches and media members:
10. Farrington
9. Aiea
8. Leilehua
7. Mililani
6. Baldwin
5. Waianae
4. Punahou
3. Tomorrow
2. Wednesday
1. Thursday
No. 4 Punahou Buffanblu
Here's a look at Punahou's results from the 2006 football season and its schedule this season:
2006 (6-4)
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Kahuku |
L 20-18
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Waianae |
W 21-12
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Eastlake (Wash.) |
W 23-16
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Kamehameha |
W 14-13
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Saint Louis |
L 38-33
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Iolani |
W 52-25
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Saint Louis |
L 33-27
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Damien |
W 31-21
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Pac-Five |
W 38-7
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Kamehameha |
L 27-20 |
2007
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Aug 18 |
McKinley
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Sept. 1 |
at Leilehua
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Sept. 14 |
Kamehameha
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Sept. 21 |
Saint Louis
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Oct. 5 |
Pac-Five
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Oct. 12 |
Saint Louis
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Oct. 20 |
Kamehameha
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Oct. 27 |
Damien
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Nov. 2 |
at Iolani |
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Losing All-State players like offensive lineman Drew Uperesa and quarterback Brett Kan is tough enough. But watching Star-Bulletin offensive player of the year Miah Ostrowski depart could hurt deeply for Buffanblu faithful.
Fortunately, Kale Ane is more than an average fan. The former Punahou standout is now in his ninth season at the helm. As a devotee of defensive domination, the former Kansas City Chief was in teaching mode last season, more so because the unit was young.
Manti Te'o is, arguably, the player that college recruiters quietly covet more than any other even though he's only a junior. The 6-foot, 215-pound linebacker raised the bar on high-speed pursuit as a sophomore until a knee injury derailed his season.
Along with J.J. Autele, Te'o is one of the reasons Ane beams about his team's potential.
"They're very athletic. I should say, extremely athletic. Manti and Dalton (Hilliard) are probably going to play both ways," Ane said. "Our offensive and defensive lines have a lot of experience. Our linebackers and defensive backs are very talented. We're excited about the overall outlook of the team. We can be stronger than we were last year."
The Buffanblu spent much of last season among the top two in the weekly rankings. Punahou had one of its most explosive offenses in school history, but finished 4-3 in the rugged Interscholastic League of Honolulu (7-3 overall).
This season, coaches and media have pegged Punahou at No. 4 in the state despite questions about how the Buffanblu will replace stat monsters like Kan and Ostrowski. Kan finished with 2,566 passing yards and 17 touchdowns on 62 percent accuracy.
Ostrowski, who signed with the University of Hawaii, hauled in 81 passes for 1,317 yards and nine touchdowns.
"Any time you lose players of the caliber of those three guys, they're so hard to replace, especially at quarterback, but we have three solid contenders," Ane said.
The ILH season doesn't begin for a month, so Punahou has time to decide between returnee Pono Akina, Cayman Schutter and Kimo Makaula.
"Pono's got the experience. Cayman has had all offseason to train. The other two are multiple-sports guys, while (Schutter) has done a lot of work with the strength and quickness," Ane said.
Makaula, at 6-3 1/2, was an outside linebacker last season, but also plays basketball and has good athleticism.
"Kimo's just one of our most athletic kids. He does well at three sports. He can run, throw and make things happen. He can play a lot of positions. It is a piece of the puzzle. He can run and he can throw. He allows us to do a lot of different things we haven't done before."
Even Autele could get touches as a running back. "He's shown us he can catch the ball, block and run," Ane said.
Among the bright spots coming into camp are sophomores Jeremy Ioane and Sani Fuimaomo. Ioane (5-10 , 170 pounds) has missed time due to summer baseball.
"He's just very, very athletic. He can run, catch and he picks things up very quick, which is very good for us," Ane said.
Fuimaomo, a 250-pound defensive lineman, is strong, Ane said. Fuimaomo has improved through wrestling and judo in the offseason.
Punahou hosts McKinley on Saturday in nonconference play, then visits Leilehua on August 25. The ILH opener will pit the Buffanblu with Kamehameha. After that, defending league champ Saint Louis awaits.
For Ane, the No. 4 ranking is nice, but he wants more.
"I think, you know, our goal is to be No. 1," he said. "It's great to get recognition from your peers. You've earned something in their eyes, but really we have to earn it on the field, not just the potential."