HIGH SCHOOLS FOOTBALL
Pearl City names
new football coachWatson Tanuvasa takes over
the reins from his late brother
Watson Tanuvasa is Pearl City's new head football coach, and he's already begun carrying on what his brother started.
Tanuvasa, 41, takes over for his late brother, Onosai Tanuvasa, who died in March at age 52 after coaching the Chargers for two seasons.
"We will carry the same philosophy and the only differences will be that we'll have more of an attacking defense and we'll put more of an emphasis on the running game," said Watson Tanuvasa, who was the team's linebackers coach a year ago.
Under Onosai Tanuvasa, Pearl City emerged as one of the most dangerous passing teams in the state. It catapulted the Chargers into the OIA Red playoffs a year ago and it allowed the school to enjoy football success that had been lacking for a long time.
"We've already done about four weeks of pre-spring training," said Watson Tanuvasa, who said he was appointed to his new post about three weeks ago. "It includes running and lifting and getting the kids prepped. Our offensive line is strong and promising and we're waiting to see what we've got on the defensive line. We've got 108 kids, including 62 on the varsity."
Finding a quarterback and a leader to replace departed senior Jensen Cabanero is one of Tanuvasa's main tasks. Academics is another focus.
"We plan to be pro-active in making sure the players are academically sound," Tanuvasa said. "We're doing grade checks as early as now and we want to have one coach present during every study hall."
Watson said he will retain everyone from Onosai's large staff (including Onosai's son, offensive coordinator Shane Tanuvasa) except for defensive coordinator Mike Iosua, who is going to graduate school.
Dr. Reid Elam, a former defensive coach at Iolani who Tanuvasa said has experience with the NFL's Detroit Lions, is the new defensive coordinator.
"When we asked Reid what type of defense he likes to run, he said, 'attack, attack, attack,' " Tanuvasa said. "That's what we wanted to hear. We ran a read defense last year and sometimes that hurt us."