PREVIEW: OIA RED
GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM
Kahuku assistant coach Sean Makaiau went over defensive schemes at a recent practice. Going into Friday's season-opener questions abound, as the Red Raiders have to replace their starting quarterback and running back.
Little known about In its two-year reign as state champion, the Kahuku football team has inspired wonder with its ascent to national acclaim and awe over its seemingly endless stockpile of talent.
defending champs
The teams: East | West
Damien enjoys victoryBy Jason Kaneshiro
jkaneshiro@starbulletin.comBut as the 2002 Oahu Interscholastic Association season approaches, the Red Raiders are generating another feeling among fans -- curiosity.
Kahuku enters the season with newcomers filling the gaps left by the graduation of 12 first- or second-team All-State picks of a year ago and came into the week without clear front-runners at quarterback and running back.
And without the benefit of a preseason game, even the Red Raider coaches are left to wonder what this year's edition will look like when the team meets Waianae on Friday.
"They're good kids, ready to go, but they just lack the experience," Kahuku coach Siuaki Livai said. "But some kids will rise and I won't know who's who until that night."
However, the questions aren't enough to nudge the Red Raiders out of their place as the team to beat in the OIA this season.
The Red Raiders begin their quest for a fifth consecutive OIA title and a third state crown as the league opens regular-season action with eight games Friday and three more on Saturday.
GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM
Kahuku is experiencing somewhat of a rebuilding year, as it is still in search of a starting quarterback and running back.
"Kahuku is my favorite," McKinley coach David Tanuvasa said. "They're always going to be loaded with players and they have an excellent coaching staff that knows how to utilize that talent."
Livai enters Friday's showdown with Waianae at Aloha Stadium with more trepidation than in past years due in part to the lack of a preseason game on the Red Raiders' schedule. Kahuku will use their one nonleague date allowed by the OIA to play Long Beach Poly on Sept. 21 in the HHSAA Football Classic.
So while Waianae worked out its kinks against Kapolei last week, Kahuku has had to refine its schemes in practice.
"You almost have to have a real game in order to know what you've got," Livai said. "You need one game to adjust no matter what you have. That's the advantage that Waianae has.
"Even if I had another team as our first game I'd still be concerned, because a lot of it has to do with us, what we do. And when the opponent is the best against us, like Waianae, that's double the trouble."
The Red Raiders started the week with five players vying to replace Inoke Funaki, last year's state offensive player of the year, at quarterback and six competing for the running back spot vacated by Mulivai Pula.
But whoever emerges as the starters will have a typically massive offensive line to work behind. And until the offense gels, the Red Raiders can rely on a defense loaded with talent.
As Kahuku sorts out the new faces, the OIA will introduce changes of its own this weekend as the league unveils its latest format, a mix of the classified system used over the last decade and the geographic divisions of an earlier era.
"The coaches have always wanted to go back to the old East-West alignment," OIA football coordinator Richard Townsend said. "But we felt that if we went back to the old system there would be some mismatches.
"One of the goals of the league is to lessen the number of mercy rule games. The fewer mercy rule games then the more successful we feel we are."
The OIA broke away from the East-West breakdown in 1992, establishing Red, White and Blue conferences to cut down on hopeless mismatches. The Blue was eliminated a few years later, with the league splitting into two conferences until this season.
The addition of Kapolei to the league this season allowed the OIA to expand the Red Conference to 14 teams and divide it into seven-team Eastern and Western divisions to go along with a seven-team White Conference.
"I think the past two or three years, the OIA has been losing money so we had to do something by changing the alignment," Radford coach Kelly Sur said. "Now if we can generate some interest by bringing back the rivalries it'll be good for the OIA."
"I like it," Aiea coach Wendell Say said. "It brings back the traditional rivalries and it means we don't have to play Kahuku."
While Kahuku remains in the spotlight, the Red Raiders will have to fend off hungry Eastern Division challengers led by Kailua, which shared the OIA championship with Kahuku last year.
The Surfriders are loaded on defense and feature an imposing line and talented skill-position players on offense.
"We always feel the target is on our backs," Kailua coach Darren Johnson said. "But we're just going to go out there and play football, take it game by game and be disciplined."
In the Western Division, Waianae will try to rebound from last year's early exit from the OIA playoffs by winning a wide-open race. Aiea hopes to build upon last year's OIA White title and Mililani is primed for a run at the division title.
The Red Conference also welcomes three new coaches this season, Leilehua's Jake Kawamata, Waipahu's Sean Saturnio and Farrington's Randall Okimoto.
Following is a look at each of the teams in the conference:
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OIA Red Conference
East Division
CASTLE KNIGHTS
Coach: Nelson Maeda
2001 record: 7-1 OIA Red, 8-4 overall
2001 postseason: OIA finalist, lost to Waimea in state quarterfinals.
Players to watch: WR Ikaika Ho, OL Jonah Navarro, LB Cory Daniel, LB Kawika Sebay
Outlook: Jacob Ramos, a defensive back last season, has the unenviable task of trying to replace magical quarterback Joel Botelho. "Hopefully he can bring his own shoes rather than having to fill Joel's," Maeda said.
Junior receiver Ikaika Ho led the team with 432 yards and six touchdown catches last season and the Knights will try to get him the ball as much as they can this year. Defensively, Daniel and Sebay lead an experienced linebacker corps. Conditioning will be a key for the linemen, most of whom will play both ways.
FARRINGTON GOVERNORS
Coach: Randall Okimoto
2001 record: 1-6-1 OIA Red, 2-6-1 overall
2001 postseason: None
Players to watch: QB Royce Machado, RB Matt Bell, DL/LB Paul Feagai, DB Taeao Fagalele
Outlook: Okimoto carried the Governors to their last OIA championship in 1990 and hopes to lead Farrington back to prominence in the division in his first season as coach.
Machado returns at quarterback to operate Okimoto's West Coast attack and has a talented receiver in Dionte Nomaaea. Junior running back Matt Bell is a tough runner who has the ability to carry the offense at times. The Governors' offensive line averages 6-foot-1, 260 pounds. Feagai is the leading returnee on the defensive front, while Fagalele is an exciting newcomer in the secondary.
KAHUKU RED RAIDERS
Coach: Siuaki Livai
2001 record: 8-0 OIA Red, 14-0 overall
2001 postseason: OIA co-champion, state champion
Players to watch: DB George Perry, LB Ola Kubota, OL Jeremy Perry, OL Joseph Napeahi
Outlook: The two-time defending state champions will rely on a stacked defense while the offense reloads after losing its top performers to graduation. Whoever emerges to replace Funaki at quarterback will operate behind a beefy line led by Perry and Napeahi. The defense, which surrendered less than 10 points per game in league play last year, features an experienced secondary led by Perry, who finished last season with a solid game against St. Louis in the state championship game.
KAILUA SURFRIDERS
Coach: Darren Johnson
2001 record: 6-2 OIA Red, 10-3 overall
2001 postseason: OIA co-champion, lost to St. Louis in state semifinals
Players to watch: OL Pat Sooalo, RB Nathan Leaver, LB Cody Texeira-Vickery, DB Malakai Mokofisi
Outlook: The Surfriders lost several key performers, but appear to have reloaded for another run at the league title.
Ranson Kepa takes over at quarterback and is surrounded by experienced skill players. Leaver is the Surfriders' leading returning rusher, running for 352 yards as a junior. David Kaihenui racked up 416 yards and five touchdowns receiving last season. Sooalo (6-foot-6, 290 pounds) has moved from tight end to offensive tackle. The defense returns a speedy secondary and a solid linebacker unit led by Texeira-Vickery, Eddie Campbell and Koa Sniffen. Johnson said team speed will be one of the Surfriders' strengths this season.
KALAHEO MUSTANGS
Coach: Mike Akiu
2001 record: 5-3 OIA White, 5-4 overall
2001 postseason: None
Players to watch: LB/RB Liu Suiaonoa, DB Royce Kurihara, QB Jared Neufeldt, WR Neil Bowers.
Outlook: The Mustangs return 10 starters on defense, led by Suiaonoa (6-1, 230) who will also start at running back on offense. Kurihara is the leader in the secondary. Neufeldt, a junior, takes over at quarterback and has a reliable target in Bowers. The Mustangs have 40 players on their roster , most of whom will play both ways, especially early while several clear academic hurdles.
MCKINLEY TIGERS
Coach: David Tanuvasa
2001 record: 3-5 OIA Red, 4-5 overall
2001 postseason: None
Players to watch: OL Taase Jennings, QB Abel Werner, DL Randy Faletoi, DL Jake Talamoa
Outlook: Werner's leadership and decision-making ability earned him the starting quarterback job after last year's controversy with Anapuni Coleman, who has moved to receiver. Werner is the first junior to be elected a team captain at McKinley. At 6-foot-3, 345 pounds, Jennings is one of the state's most imposing offensive linemen.
The defense will be led by third-year starters on the line in Faletoi and Talamoa. Free safety Elliott Twiggs has also emerged as the leader in the secondary.
ROOSEVELT ROUGH RIDERS
Coach: Lester Parrilla
2001 record: 6-2 OIA White, 6-4 overall
2001 postseason: Lost to Kahuku in OIA quarterfinals.
Players to watch: WR/RB/DB Bryson Borges, RB Daniel Siracusa, DL Cameron Kimura, LB Brad Kalilimoku.
Outlook: Patience may be a key for the Rough Riders as several newcomers step into starting roles. Borges will "do everything but sell hot dogs," Parrilla said. Sophomore Laa Moikeha will get the start at quarterback for a young offense. Siracusa will be one of Roosevelt's top threats and Mitchell Loo is a quality running back and slotback. Defense is the strength of the team entering the season, led by Kimura and Kalilimoku up front. Kalilimoku's brother, Chad, is a linebacker at UH this season. Anthony Holyfield will see time at both receiver and free safety.
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West Division
AIEA NA ALII
Coach: Wendell Say
2001 record: 8-0 OIA White, 10-2 overall
2001 postseason: OIA finalist, lost to St. Louis in state quarterfinals
Players to watch: OL Brandon Rodd, OL Levi Wayman, DB Calvin Martinez, DB Daniel Saunoa
Outlook: Na Alii racked up a league-high 2,223 yards passing a year ago, but must replace record-setting quarterback Lole Laolagi and their top three receivers. Dustin Grace is the frontrunner to replace Laolagi. The entire offensive line return, led by Wyman, a four-year starter. Rodd and Matai Ware are starting their third varsity seasons.
The defense was also hit hard by graduation and will rebuild around safeties Martinez and Saunoa.
CAMPBELL SABERS
Coach: Tumoana Kenessey
2001 record: 4-4 OIA Red, 5-4 overall
2001 postseason: None
Players to watch: RB Shauncey Saito, WR Ali'i Kea Basham, DL David Vaikune, LB Kealii Basham
Outlook: The Sabers hope last year's growing pains translate into a run at the division title this year. Saito is the conference's leading returning rusher after running for 486 yards and six touchdowns as a junior. Battle-tested quarterback Jonah Canionero returns after passing for 880 yards last year. Basham accounted for more than 19 yards per reception as a junior. Vaikune and Basham are the defense's main stoppers up front.
LEILEHUA MULES
Coach: Jake Kawamata
2001 record: 0-8 OIA Red, 0-9 overall
2001 postseason: None
Players to watch: QB Joshua Perez, WR T.K. Fagan, LB Nalu Jones, CB Dee Adams
Outlook: Kawamata will try to turn around a Mules program looking for its first win since September 2000. Kawamata's two-back offense is a departure from the shotgun attack Leilehua ran in recent years. Perez learned the offense in the spring and is ready to take over at quarterback.
The defense is led by a strong linebacker unit featuring Jones and Gabriel Pauu. Adams will cover the opponent's top receiver and safety Edward Garma has had a solid fall camp.
MILILANI TROJANS
Coach: James Millwood
2001 record: 4-4 OIA Red, 5-5 overall
2001 postseason: Lost to Kailua in OIA quarterfinals
Players to watch: C Kurt Reseepicio, FB Peter Raneses, DL Willi Leilua, DL Darrell Twillie
Outlook: Millwood makes it clear the Trojans' goal is to win the Red West. Reseepicio is a senior three-year starter, and the team's best all-around lineman. Fujimoto steps under center for the first time after playing slotback last year. Leilua and Twillie are both three-year players, and along with strong safety Jose Santos, are keys to the defense. Milwood said newcomer Aaron Smith could make an immediate impact at wide receiver.
RADFORD RAMS
Coach: Kelly Sur
2001 record: 5-3 OIA White, 5-4 overall
2001 postseason: None
Players to watch: DE/OL Chesty Pulu, LB Lino Kakiva, DB Keone Tawata, RB/LB Jeremy Hoover
Outlook: The Rams will go as far as their defense takes them this season. Pulu is Radford's top lineman and is supported by linebackers Kakiva and Russell Baptiste. Hoover and Jason Opetaia will do double-duty as running backs and linebackers. Sophomore Stephen Baughn will start the season under center, but Samuela Manoa could challenge for the job when he recovers from a few bumps and bruises. Sur said he's looking at using Manoa (6-5, 220) at quarterback, receiver, kicker and even on the defensive line. He is the nephew of former Penn State running back Tim Manoa.
WAIANAE SEARIDERS
Coach: Dan Matsumoto
2001 record: 5-3 OIA Red, 6-4 overall
2001 postseason: Lost to Kailua in OIA quarterfinals
Players to watch: RB Sautia Lave, QB Uilai Faliuga, LB Kevin Kauweloa, DL Keone Taaca.
Outlook: The Seariders are again a favorite to contend for the league title with an offense led by Lave and Faliuga. Waianae will depend on Lave to grind out tough yards between the tackles, while Faliuga proved to be an efficient passer in his debut against Kapolei last week. Kauweloa is back after missing a year while recovering from surgery to remove a brain tumor. Taaca is among the leaders of a typically rugged Searider defensive line.
WAIPAHU MARAUDERS
Coach: Sean Saturnio
2001 record: 7-1 OIA White, 8-2 overall
2001 postseason: Lost to Castle in OIA quarterfinals
Players to watch: RB Andrew Hale, WR/KR Travis Atualevao, LB Rustin Saole, LB Jerome Kon
Outlook: When Saturnio took over at Waipahu, only seven players could run 40 yards in under five seconds. After a summer spent on speed and agility training, that number jumped to 16.
Saturnio hopes the newfound quickness will help power his option attack led by Hale who posted 634 yards and seven touchdowns last year. The Marauders also have talented receivers in Atualevao and St. Louis transfer Todd Dickerson. Kon and Saole are the heart of the defense.
Star-Bulletin reporter Tim Crouse
contributed to this report.Hawaii School Web Sites
