StarBulletin.com

'Iolani knows how to turn off power


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POSTED: Wednesday, December 02, 2009

For all of 'Iolani's offensive prowess, the Raiders aren't a smashmouth team in the trenches.

When 'Iolani meets Kauai on Friday in the Division II final of the First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA State Football Championships at Aloha Stadium, it will be a matter of finesse in the red zone. But sometimes, the Raiders use a power-I formation with defensive linemen as battering rams inside the 5.

Other situations allow the Raiders to use their speed and some finely tuned blocking schemes to score against some of the top defenses in the state this year.

This play, a sweep by the “;fly”; receiver on a 2-point conversion (that was called back by penalty), is a classic finesse-versus-brawn scenario. Typical for a run-and-shoot offense, 'Iolani lined up in a shotgun, four-wide set at the Kamehameha 2-yard line. The Warriors had to match up out wide, leaving just seven—arguably the best front seven in the state—in the box.

               

     

 

STATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

        Where: Aloha Stadium

        When: Friday—Division II final: 'Iolani vs. Kauai, 4:30 p.m.; Division I final: Kahuku vs. Kamehameha, 7:30 p.m.

        TV: Pay per view

        Radio: KKEA, 1420-AM

A handoff to running back Ammon Baldomero seemed imminent, so Kamehameha had its linebackers in position. 'Iolani countered with a pre-snap motion by Kila Zuttermeister from the right slot to the left. As quarterback Jarrett Arakawa took the snap, he handed the ball to Zuttermeister, who was already close to full speed, while the defense was stationary.

Kamehameha sent two linebackers into the inside gaps on a run blitz; 'Iolani had all defenders accounted for, and its wide receivers did their jobs blocking and/or running routes away from the play.

However, Kamehameha's right outside linebacker had an angle on Zuttermeister as the slotback ran left. The key block came from Baldomero, a 5-foot-9, 180-pound junior. He drifted left ahead of Zuttermeister and located the threat. His block, as well as the blocking of receivers Kevin Barayuga and Trevyn Tulonghari, sealed the left side and gave Zuttermeister a shockingly easy scoring play.

Kauai has fairly good size and speed, plus a season's worth of 'Iolani footage. With Arakawa's pinpoint accuracy on slants and out routes, and the possibility of draw plays to Baldomero, it'll take a shrewd defense to recognize 'Iolani's fly sweep before it's too late.