When McKinley football players hear a little voice trying to steer them away from trouble, it probably sounds a lot like Abel Werner. Werner a stabilizing
Highlights & Schedule
force for McKinleyBy Jason Kaneshiro
jkaneshiro@starbulletin.comAs a captain and starting quarterback for the Tigers, Werner views being the conscience of the team as part of his job. And he takes his job seriously.
"If somebody does something wrong, it's not necessarily on the coaches. We can handle it as a team so the coaches can just come out and coach," Werner said. "That's a little dream I had, just make the coaches come out and coach and they don't need to worry about people getting arrested or doing all those bad things."
Werner has helped the Tigers survive a rocky season to qualify for the Oahu Interscholastic Association playoffs.
The Tigers face Waipahu tomorrow in the second game of an OIA playoff doubleheader at Aloha Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:35 p.m.
"Abel has been a very consistent leader for us because through the ups and downs he remains himself," McKinley coach David Tanuvasa said. "He never changes his character. He's always out there making people laugh, working very hard, encouraging people no matter if we win or lose."
Last season, Werner emerged from a battle with Anapuni Coleman to assume the starting quarterback job. But the sophomore struggled in his new role, raising questions over whether he should be the starter.
"I made it a point to myself that I hope that never happens again," Werner said of his struggles. "But nobody's going to do it for me. I have to work hard. I can't just talk it, I have to do it.
"I told my family I'm going to try my hardest to win respect. That's how it is in life, you have to win some respect."
Over the summer, Werner committed himself to improving as a player and winning over his teammates' trust. He soon became the team's compass on the field and around campus.
"We have a lot of good friends, so we keep the team together and we keep it strong," Werner said of fellow captains Jake Talamoa and Elliot Twiggs. "We help each other through our mistakes and we'll be there for each other."
Werner was one of the OIA's top passers this season, completing 67 percent of his throws for 1,656 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Although he has produced some gaudy numbers, Werner's grasp of the Tigers' offensive scheme may be of even greater value.
"When other positions are confused he tends to direct them into the right areas or explain their assignments to them," Tanuvasa said.
It helps that Werner shares an almost telepathic relationship with his receivers as they can often make adjustments just through eye contact.
"No matter how many yards I throw for or how many touchdowns I threw, I can't throw it and catch it. They make the plays," Werner said.
"The quarterback position gets the criticism and the glory, but I have to give it to the guys that block and catch for me."
Werner's leadership helped the Tigers wade through the season's undulating currents.
McKinley began the year 3-1 and were a failed 2-point conversion away from knocking off defending state champion Kahuku on Sept. 13.
But the Tigers gave up two late touchdowns in a 26-22 loss to Castle and were stunned by the sight of offensive lineman Brandon Tatupu being taken away in an ambulance with a neck injury that he is now recovering from.
A week later, McKinley watched a solid first-half effort against Kailua dissolve into a 42-22 defeat.
But the team kept it together enough to end the regular season with win over Kalaheo last week, and Werner said the trials of the season forged the Tigers into a stronger unit entering the playoffs.
"That's one of the things I respect about this team," he said. "We had some ups and downs. We lost some key games, we could have lost our whole season, but as a team we stuck together."
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This week's highlights around the state: Highlights
TOMORROW
OIA playoffs: The OIA postseason begins with doubleheaders tonight and tomorrow. The top seeds have the week off to rest up for next week's quarterfinals.Kauai vs. Waimea, at Hanapepe Stadium: Waimea remains undefeated in the KIF, but the Menehunes were severely tested by the Red Raiders before escaping with a 7-0 win in their last meeting.
Waimea running back Jordon Dizon continues to rewrite the KIF record books. He rushed for 370 yards and five touchdowns in his last outing.
BIIF playoffs open: All eight BIIF teams still have hopes of winning the league championship and earning a spot in the state tournament as the playoffs begin with two games tomorrow and two more Saturday.
Kealakehe went 6-1 in the regular season to earn the top seed. The Waveriders host eighth-seeded Waiakea, last year's champ, Saturday in Kailua-Kona.
SATURDAY
Iolani vs. St. Louis, at Aloha Stadium: With three weeks left in the ILH season, the Raiders (3-1) and Crusaders (3-1) are in must-win mode, trying to keep pace with nationally-ranked Kamehameha in the ILH title chase.
Schedule
TODAY
OIA playoffs
At Aloha Stadium
Castle vs. Kaimuki, 5:05 p.m.
Leilehua vs. Farrington, 7:35 p.m.
TOMORROW
OIA playoffs
At Aloha Stadium
Mililani vs. Nanakuli ,5:05 p.m.
McKinley vs. Waipahu, 7:35 p.m.
BIIF playoffs
Kohala at Hilo, 7 p.m.
Keaau at Konawaena, 7 p.m.
ILH
Pac-Five at Kamehameha, 7 p.m.
KIF
At Hanapepe Stadium
Kauai vs. Waimea, 5 p.m.
MIL
At War Memorial Stadium
St. Anthony vs. King Kekaulike, 7:30 p.m.
SATURDAY
ILH
At Aloha Stadium
Punahou vs. Damien, 4:45 p.m.
Iolani vs. St. Louis, 7:30 p.m.
MIL
At War Memorial Stadium
Baldwin vs. Lahainaluna, 7:30 p.m.
BIIF Playoffs
Honokaa at Hawaii Prep, 2 p.m.
Waiakea at Kealakehe, 7 p.m.
Hawaii School Web Sites