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Friday, August 25, 2000
THIRD IN A SERIES: MIL
Day 1 | Day 2Maui could Maui coach Curtis Lee earned his first football coaching win more than 16 years ago.
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The Sabers' journey to nail
down a ninth title under coach
Curtis Lee starts tonight vs. Na AliiBy Tim Crouse
Special to the Star-BulletinAnd he's led the Sabers to eight Maui Interscholastic League championships since then.
Last weekend, he reached win No. 100 in Maui's preseason triumph over Big Island power Konawaena.
But he still counts his very first win as his favorite.
"We were 0-4 in the preseason and I'm sure the parents and other coaches were asking, 'What did we do,' " Lee said of the 1984 season. "But then we won our first (regular season) game against Lahainaluna, and went on to win the championship."
The road to another MIL title starts tonight as the Sabers take on King Kekaulike in their opener, and there is even more incentive to try to reach it: the league champion earns a berth in the Hawaii High School Athletic Association's state tournament.
"That would be another milestone, but the main goal is to win (the MIL)," Lee said.
The Sabers return 13 starters from a team that went 6-5 last season.
Maui won't be playing with a full roster the first couple of weeks, because 11 players are academically ineligible.
Lee said his offense is "97 percent run and 3 percent pass."
Senior quarterback David Tufaga had a combined 1,200 yards last year passing and running, and back Chad Gerard rushed for over 800.
Also spending time in the backfield will be fullback Saia Lotuleile, who has won two state wrestling championships, and last year's junior varsity standout Andrew Malafu.
Once Lee has all his players back, the defense will feature eight returning starters.
Strong safety Ken Carroll (6-1, 210) should have a big impact for the Sabers on the defensive side of the ball.
Lee said he was pleased with how his younger players performed against Konawaena last weekend.
He took only 28 of the 41 players on his roster to the Big Island, but Maui still won, 23-12.
"Early on, some of the young kids will be tested," Lee said. "We'll just try to build from week to week."
And if they build successfully, another MIL title and a trip to the state tournament could add to Lee's impressive resume.
"We've been blessed with great athletes at Maui, that's why we have the 100 wins. Every win has been rewarding," he said.
The rest of the MIL
Lahainaluna, which finished 9-2 last year, looks to be strong again under the leadership of coach Bobby Watson.In a preseason win against Kapaa, the Lunas scored three rushing touchdowns. Kainoa Casco, a two-time state wrestling champion, Abner Nakihei and Siona Hafoka will all produce for Watson.
Defending MIL champion Baldwin, which advanced to the semifinals of last season's state tournament and finished 11-1, lost most of its top performers to graduation, and coach Joe Balangitao Jr. also departed. The Bears look to rebuild under new coach Brian Harris, the former offensive line coach.
St. Anthony tries to improve on last year's 3-8 record. Coach Kevin O'Brien looks to run with abandon. The Trojans rushed for over 400 yards in a preseason win against Honokaa, led by Peni Suia. Ikaika Campos and Rolan Sumabat will also add to the ground game.
P.K. Higa will lead King Kekaulike into tonight's opener against Maui. Higa guided Na Ali'i to a 4-7 record in the 1999 campaign.
Rounding out the league is youngest member Ka'ahumanu Hou. David Marocco's squad, which numbers under 20 players, were winless throughout the 1999 season.
Next Thursday: The ILH
