Sunday, January 20, 2002
HAWAII'S BEST
Star-bulletin 2001 All-state Football Team
|
What a difference a year makes? Seeing Red
Star-bulletin 2001 All-state Football Team
By Jason Kaneshiro
jkaneshiro@starbulletin.comNot much for the Kahuku Red Raiders.
Twelve months after turning Hawaii high school football upside down by dethroning St. Louis for the state championship, the Red Raiders proved their victory wasn't a fluke by blowing through their 2001 schedule en route to a second consecutive title.
Like last year, Kahuku dominates the selections for the Star-Bulletin All-State football team.
The leaders of the Kahuku offense and defense top the list as the players of the year.
Red Raider quarterback Inoke Funaki headed Kahuku's offense with his accuracy as a passer and his elusiveness as a runner, while defensive lineman Jonathan Mapu simply destroyed offensive schemes with his dominance at the line of scrimmage.
"Both of them were really leaders by example," Kahuku coach Siuaki Livai said. "They're really quiet people, but they led by example and brought out the best they had. That's why they gained so much respect from their peers on and off the field."
Livai, who epitomizes the Kahuku rallying cry of "Red Raider For Life," earns state coach of the year honors for the second consecutive season after guiding Kahuku to the state title.
"I'm more relaxed this year, and I'm enjoying it," Livai said of his second championship. "I'm just glad it's over.
"Sometimes I wake up and I wonder if it really happened or it was just a dream."
|
Livai, who has been a part of the Kahuku program as a player, an assistant coach and head coach, will lead Kahuku into next season with a 23-game winning streak."It's not easy to go undefeated," Aiea coach Wendell Say said. "He had to get them up every week and they saved their best games for when they needed it."
"Even though people say he had all that talent, he still had to bring them along," Castle coach Nelson Maeda said.
Funaki was the key to the Red Raiders' offensive machine. The 6-foot, 180-pound senior was surrounded by All-State performers in running back Mulivai Pula (first team), receivers Ferron Fonoimoana (first team) and James Kammerer (second team) and offensive linemen Kalavi Blanchard (first team) and Suliasi Lautaha (second team).
But it was Funaki's versatility and leadership that made the Red Raiders go. He passed for 2,172 yards and 28 touchdowns this season and rushed for 532 yards.
"I thought he was the biggest difference in their winning the state championship again," Lahainaluna coach Robert Watson said. "He really made things happen for them."
Said Say: "Kahuku had the talent, but you still need the triggerman."
Funaki's athleticism was no secret coming into the season, but his improvement as a passer allowed the Red Raiders to explore new dimensions of their offense.
Funaki and Pula are joined in the first-team backfield by Kamehameha running back Kelena Ho'okano, the Interscholastic League of Honolulu's offensive player of the year. Pula racked up 1,496 yards and 25 touchdowns, while Ho'okano scored 10 touchdowns and averaged 103 yards per game.
Fonoimoana is joined in the receiving corps by St. Louis' big-play wideout Jason Rivers, and Aiea's Reuben Medeiros.
Blanchard anchors the offensive line and is joined by Kailua's Samson Satele, St. Louis' Mesepa Reed, Kamehameha's Enoka Lucas and Waimea's Abraham Apilado.
Castle quarterback Joel Botelho makes the team as the all-purpose player for being the most exciting offensive player in the state this season.
Mapu entered his senior season as the state's top defensive prospect, and the 6-3, 250-pounder didn't disappoint.
Despite being a marked man on the line of scrimmage, Mapu specialized in collapsing the pocket and terrorizing quarterbacks. His presence also opened the lanes for fellow all-state linemen Darrell Tachibana (second team), Tala Esera (second team), Tuika Tufaga (honorable mention) and Quinlinn Adolpho (honorable mention).
Few states can boast the depth of talent along the defensive front that Hawaii produced this season. Along with Mapu, Iolani's Donny Mateaki, Kamehameha's Brandon Ala and Albert Ma'afala and St. Louis' Tolifili Liufau were devastating performers.
The first team linebackers are Iolani's Blake Wong and St. Louis' Taualai Fonoti and Timo Paepule. Wong averaged a turnover per game for the Raiders. Fonoti was the Crusaders' leading tackler, while Paepule was a playmaker at the line of scrimmage and in pass coverage.
The secondary consists of St. Louis' Jonah Lakatani, Aiea's Bryan Tucker-Salas, Kamehameha's Tyler Perkins and Kahuku's Sola Soliai.
Castle's Nolan Miranda makes the first team as a kicker as he converted on five field goals. He was also a threat as a receiver for the Knights. Lahainaluna's Ikaika Neizman was an all-purpose performer for the Lunas. In addition to being a dangerous kick returner, he was a leader on offense as a receiver and as a defensive back.
FIRST TEAM
Offense
QB - Inoke Funaki Kahuku 6-0 180 12 RB - Mulivai Pula Kahuku 5-11 215 12 RB - Kelena Ho'okano Kamehameha 5-11 187 12 WR - Jason Rivers St. Louis 6-2 185 11 WR - Ferron Fonoimoana Kahuku 5-8 165 12 WR - Reuben Medeiros Aiea 6-0 190 12 OL - Samson Satele Kailua 6-4 290 12 OL - Kalavi Blanchard Kahuku 6-4 290 12 OL - Enoka Lucas Kamehameha 6-3 285 12 OL - Abraham Apilado Waimea 6-2 300 12 OL - Mesepa Reed St. Louis 6-5 237 12 AP - Joel Botelho Castle 5-8 155 12
Defense
DL - Jonathan Mapu Kahuku 6-3 250 12 DL - Tolifili Liufau St. Louis 6-3 290 11 DL - Albert Ma'afala Kamehameha 6-2 270 12 DL - Donny Mateaki Iolani 6-7 250 12 DL - Brandon Ala Kamehameha 6-3 210 12 LB - Taualai Fonoti St. Louis 6-1 240 12 LB - Blake Wong Iolani 6-1 185 11 LB - Timo Paepule St. Louis 6-0 195 11 DB - Jonah Lakatani St. Louis 5-6 145 11 DB - Bryan Tucker-Salas Aiea 5-9 170 12 DB - Tyler Perkins Kamehameha 5-10 160 12 DB - Sola Soliai Kahuku 6-0 180 12
Special Teams
K - Nolan Miranda Castle 5-8 160 12 KR - Ikaika Neizman Lahainaluna 5-8 150 12
Coach Of The Year
Siuaki Livai Kahuku
State runner-up St. Louis lands four players on the first team defense, including two of three linebackers. Star-bulletin 2001 All-state Football Team
DEFENSE
Defensive Line
Jonathan Mapu
Kahuku
6-3 250 Senior >> OIA Red Conference defensive player of the year
>> Sack and six quarterback hurries against St. Louis in the state championship game
>> Narrowed college choices to Washington, Tennessee, Brigham Young and Hawaii
>> Ranked No. 33 among the Rivals 100, which rates the nation's top prospects.
>> Named second-team Senior All-American by Student Sports Inc.Tolifili Liufau
St. Louis
6-3 290 Junior >> ILH defensive player of the year
>> Led St. Louis with 5 12 sacks, five forced fumbles and 37 quarterback hurries
>> ILH first-team all-starAlbert Ma'afala
Kamehameha
6-2 270 Senior >> Part of a defensive onslaught against Punahou that resulted in 14 sacks
>> Was named the West's defensive player of the game in the Hawaii Union Builders Goodwill Football Classic
>> Narrowed college choices to Washington, Washington State and Hawaii
>> ILH first-team all-starDonny Mateaki
Iolani
6-7 250 Senior >> Leader of the top defense in the ILH Division II, which gave up 399 yards rushing in seven games
>> Listed at No. 72 in the Rivals 100 and rated the nation's sixth-best strongside defensive end.
>> Verbally committed to Washington
>> ILH first-team all-starBrandon Ala
Kamehameha
6-3 210 Senior >> Leader of a defensive front that gave up just 57.6 rushing yards per game
>> Brothers Tui and Houston played for Hawaii this season
>> Narrowed college choices to Washington, Oregon and Hawaii
>> ILH first-team all-star
>> 2000 All-State first-team selection
Linebacker
Taualai Fonoti
St. Louis
6-1 240 Senior >> Led the Crusaders with 68 total tackles, 16 for losses, despite missing two games with a leg injury
>> Second on the team with five sacks
>> Recorded 11 tackles against Kahuku in the state championship game
>> Brother Toniu is an All-American offensive lineman at Nebraska
>> ILH first-team all-starBlake Wong
Iolani
6-1 185 Junior >> Averaged a turnover per game for the Raider defense. Intercepted two passes and forced a fumble against St. Louis. He also recorded an interception, two sacks and a blocked punt against Pac-Five
>> Also contributed on offense at fullback.
>> ILH first-team all-starTimo Paepule
St. Louis
6-0 195 Junior >> 40 tackles, 11 for losses, and four sacks
>> Intercepted four passes, which he returned for 23 yards.
>> ILH first-team all-star
Defensive Back
Jonah Lakatani
St. Louis
5-6 145 Junior >> Led the Crusaders with five interceptions for 119 return yards and a touchdown
>> Finished second on the team with 49 total tackles
>> ILH first-team all-starBryan Tucker-Salas
Aiea
5-9 170 Senior >> OIA White Conference defensive player of the year
>> A versatile player who started at cornerback, caught three touchdown passes as a wide receiver and was a dangerous kick returner
>> 2000 All-State honorable mention selectionTyler Perkins
Kamehameha
5-10 160 Senior >> One of the fastest players in the state and key contributor for the Warriors as a safety and kick returner
>> Returned a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown and blocked two punts against Punahou
>> ILH first team all-star
>> 2000 All-State honorable-mention selection as a kick returnerSola Soliai
Kahuku
6-0 180 Senior >> The heart of a Red Raider secondary that surrendered 114.5 yards passing per game and just 10 passing touchdowns in 14 games
>> OIA Red Conference first-team all-star
Kicker
Nolan Miranda
Castle
5-8 160 Senior >> Finished third in the OIA Red Conference with 54 points
>> Connected on five field goals and 24 extra points and scored three touchdowns as a receiver
>> Converted seven extra points and made field goals of 21 and 43 yards against Waianae
>> OIA Red Conference first-team all-star
>> Also one of the OIA's leading scorers as a member of the Castle soccer team
Kick Returner
Ikaika Neizman
Lahainaluna
5-8 150 Senior >> One of the busiest players for the Maui Interscholastic League champions Contributed on offense as a receiver and running back, on defense as a cornerback and on special teams as the Lunas' placekicker and kick returner
>> Scored three touchdowns in the Lunas' 42-7 win over St. Anthony
>> Provided Lahainaluna's state tournament highlights by setting up touchdowns with a 30-yard punt return and a 70-yard pass reception against Kahuku
Coach
Siuaki Livai
Kahuku
>> Led Kahuku to its second consecutive state championship, and fourth consecutive OIA championship
>> Team finished the season ranked 13th in the country by StudentSports.com.
>> His team enters next season with a 23-game winning streak
Players from public schools dominate the first team, taking eight spots -- with four of them from Kahuku OFFENSE
Quarterback
Inoke Funaki
Kahuku
6-0 180 Senior >> Led the Red Raiders to two consecutive state championships
>> Passed for 2,172 yards and 28 touchdowns this season
>> 2000 All-State first-team selection
>> OIA Red Conference first-team
Running Back
Mulivai Pula
Kahuku
5-11 215 Senior >> Rushed for 1,496 yards and 25 touchdowns
>> Scored five touchdowns in an OIA playoff win over Aiea
>> Ran for 212 yards and two touchdowns against St. Louis in the state championship game
>> 2000 All-State first-team selection.
>> Being recruited by Utah, BYU and Hawaii
>> OIA Red Conference first-teamKelena Ho'okano
Kamehameha
5-11 187 Senior >> ILH offensive player of the year
>> Led the ILH in rushing with 721 yards and in scoring with 10 touchdowns
>> Averaged 103 yards per game
>> 2000 All-State third-team selection
WIde Receiver
Jason Rivers
St. Louis
6-2 185 Junior >> Caught 42 passes for 953 yards and 16 touchdowns
>> Averaged 22.6 yards per reception
>> ILH first-team all-star
>> Averaged 128.6 yards per game in the state tournament and scored eight touchdownsFerron Fonoimoana
Kahuku
5-8 165 Senior >> The leading receiver in the OIA Red Conference with 540 yards on 21 receptions during the regular season and finished with a total of 28 catches and 680 yards.
>> Led the OIA Red Conference in scoring with 12 touchdowns
>> OIA Red Conference first-teamReuben Medeiros
Aiea
6-0 190 Senior >> Caught 32 passes for 619 yards and nine touchdowns in the OIA White Conference
>> Helped lead Na Alii to the OIA White Conference championship
>> The leading receiver in the OIA's top passing offense -- Na Alii racked up 2,223 yards in passing this season.
>> OIA White Conference first-team
Offensive Line
Samson Satele
Kailua
6-4 290 Senior >> Helped the Surfriders rush for 210 yards per game in the OIA Red Conference
>> Has verbally commited to Hawaii
>> OIA Red Conference first-team all-star
>> 2000 All-State third-team selectionKalavi Blanchard
Kahuku
6-4 290 Senior >> Led the way for a Kahuku offense that generated 438.1 yards per game
>> OIA Red Conference first team
>> Has verbally committed to Hawaii
>> 2000 All-State honorable-mention selectionEnoka Lucas
Kamehameha
6-3 285 Senior >> Helped clear the way for Ho'okano and an offense that generated 296 yards per game
>> Has verbally committed to Oregon
>> ILH first-team all-star
>> 2000 All-State honorable-mention selectionAbraham Apilado
Waimea
6-2 300 Senior >> Helped lead the Menehunes to the state tournament semifinals
>> KIF first-team all-star
>> Also started as a defensive lineman
>> 2000 All-State second-team selectionMesepa Reed
St. Louis
6-5 237 Senior >> Protected Crusader quarterback Bobby George, and helped the St. Louis offense rack up 376.9 yards per game
>> Leader of an offensive line that gave up 13 sacks in 317 pass attempts by St. Louis quarterbacks
>> ILH first-team all-star
All-Purpose
Joel Botelho
Castle
5-8 155 Senior >> OIA Red Conference offensive player of the year
>> Led the OIA Red in passing with 1,759 yards and 16 touchdowns and just two interceptions during the regular season
>> Finished third in the conference in rushing with 533 yards and seven touchdowns
>> Also punted for the Knights
The selections
The Star-Bulletin All-State team was selected by Jason Kaneshiro based on interviews with coaches around the state.
St. Louis quarterback Bobby George is the lone second teamer on offense who will return next fall SECOND TEAM
OFFENSE School HT WT YR QB - Bobby George St. Louis 6-0 185 11 RB - Brenton Harbottle Kailua 5-6 173 12 RB - Andrew Malafu Maui 5-11 225 12 WR - James Kammerer Kahuku 6-3 184 12 WR - Marc Esteban Kaiser 5-9 158 12 WR - James Strombach Moanalua 6-0 155 12 WR - Ikaika Ho Castle 5-8 152 12 OL - Troy Esera St. Louis 6-1 285 12 OL - Marques Kaonohi Kailua 6-2 250 12 OL - Kahai LaCount Kailua 6-3 300 12 OL - Kekoa Vincent Kamehameha 6-2 235 12 OL - Suliasi Lautaha Kahuku 6-0 290 12 AP - Timmy Chang Wo Waimea 5-8 165 12
DEFENSE
DL - Darrell Tachibana Kahuku 6-2 200 12 DL - Felipo Mokofisi Kailua 6-2 220 12 DL - Tala Esera Kahuku 6-3 245 12 DL - Kaipo Patoc Mililani 6-2 230 12 LB - Joshua Hodge Kahuku 5-10 198 12 LB - Kala Kaaihue Iolani 6-1 210 11 LB - Joe McKeague Castle 5-8 170 12 LB - Alika Durington Pac-Five 6-0 230 12 LB - Gary Mata Jr. Waimea 5-9 180 10 DB - Kainoa Casco Lahainaluna 5-8 160 12 DB - Kekoa Reyes Waianae 6-1 200 12 DB - George Perry Kahuku 5-11 160 11
SPECIAL TEAMS
K - Michael Houar St. Louis 5-11 175 11 KR - A.J. Garbin Baldwin 5-10 173 12
HONORABLE MENTION
OFFENSE
Quarterback: Lole Laolagi, Aiea; Taleki Mailau, Kailua; Todd LaFountaine, Punahou; Michael Donahoo, Baldwin; Kainoa Casco, Lahainaluna; Caleb Spencer, Kamehameha; Chris Mols, Roosevelt; Jomo Young, Waiakea.Running back: Teo Bennett, Iolani; Justin Rellin, Radford; Jordon Dizon, Waimea; Chesley Barba, Waimea; Shauncey Saito, Campbell; Ikaika Asinsin, Nanakuli; Michael Yamauchi-Yamate, Pac-Five; Prince Brown, St. Louis; Andrew Hale, Waipahu.
Wide receiver: Ross Dickerson, St. Louis; Abner Nakihei, Lahainaluna; Gered Mochizuki, Baldwin; Kainoa Fernandez, St. Louis; Matthew Friedman, Pac-Five; Treston Kaneao, Castle; David Kaihenui, Kailua; Trey Brown, Mililani; Chris Antonio, Aiea; Mat Failauga, Radford; Ikaika Goo, Iolani; Jay Marcouiller, Iolani; Keoni Ruth, Kamehameha.
Tight end: Pat Sooalo, Kailua
Offensive line: Dane Uperesa, Punahou; Levi Wyman, Aiea; Daniel Aipa, Iolani; Lionel Lindley-Molina, Waianae; Chris Lumauag, Mililani; Jeremy Inferrera, St. Louis.
All-purpose: Ryan Leong, Pac-Five; Kamalu Keawe, Waiakea; Tito Sallas, St. Louis.
DEFENSE
Defensive line: Brandon Tom, Kamehameha; Levi Manutai, Kailua; Quinlinn Adolpho, Kahuku; Tuika Tufaga, Kahuku; Lawrence Wilson, Farrington; Al Kauahi, Kailua; Tafa Samuela, Waipahu; Leon Laotalo, Aiea; Kawika Nakoa, Iolani; Derek Turbin, Punahou; John Siofele, St. Louis; Kama McKeague, St. Louis; Mark Ruiz, Waimea.Linebacker: Koa Sniffen, Kailua; Kawika Reed, Waiakea; Keola Daog, Hilo; Warren Taunuu, Aiea; Braddah Kalahiki, Mililani; Kynan Pang, Punahou; Falaniko Noga Jr., Farrington; Alex Fergus, Punahou.
Defensive back: Jason Ching, Punahou; Preston Lingaton, Kamehameha; Pili Kitashima, Kamehameha; Kyle Juliano, Kahuku; Kevan Ferreira, Lahainaluna; Bronson Melemai, Castle; Jonah Ramos, Castle; Eric Nakamura, Iolani; Chad Adviento, St. Louis; Jose Santos, Mililani; Salvador Paragas, Waianae; Jon Nakasone, Roosevelt; Tana Uyema, Iolani; Rayson Cacal, Waimea.