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Kailua coach glad
to be back on field
Rosolowich takes over one of
the OIA Red East's top programs
When it comes to football, new Kailua coach Gary Rosolowich has always known he needs to be at the center of action.
"My husband does not make a good spectator when it comes to watching football," his wife, Darlene, joked. "He has to be a participant."
Said Gary: "In my view, I tend to be more technical and analytical. To just sit back and watch a great catch, or a great block, doesn't really factor into it for me. My enjoyment is the technical side of football. Unless I'm involved, it's tough to just sit back and watch and enjoy a game as a fan would."
Simply put, Rosolowich is a football purist whose strong views on how the game should be played make him perhaps ideally suited to coaching at Kailua, which has always been a high-profile program. That he finds himself the man in charge of the Surfriders caught him by surprise.
"I didn't actually expect it, mainly because I'd been out of coaching for so long," he admitted, but he wouldn't have it any other way.
He had not openly solicited coaching openings in the past, but was finally moved to action when the Kailua job opened last spring.
"(Being a long-time Kailua resident) was a big part of it," he said. "I felt drawn to the position, and I hadn't had strong feelings like that in a long time. I didn't actually expect it, mainly because I'd been out of coaching for so long, but once I'm committed to something, I'm very dedicated."
The Surfriders got the 2004 campaign off to a roaring start last Friday night, making up a 20-point deficit en route to a riveting 27-20 win over Kapolei.
"A team that can play hard and come back in the fourth quarter is something a coach always wants, and to see that happen was great," he said.
Equally gratifying for Rosolowich was that his son, Sean Forges, had a hand in kick-starting the Kailua comeback with an 11-yard touchdown reception from Kelroy Kohatsu on a critical fourth-down play.
Family, after all, remains the center of Rosolowich's world. He and Darlene have seven children between them. Darlene's role of administrative assistant for the program was a natural progression, given that she had been prodding her husband to take on coaching over the years.
"She's signed on," he said, "and she's been invaluable -- a huge, huge help. It's a team effort, and it keeps us together."
Taking on the Kailua football family is also a serious prospect. The Surfriders' place in the Oahu Interscholastic Association's high-rent district has long been secure, and a coach at any level is always open to criticism.
"I fully understand that you can't please everyone, but if I'm doing what I think is right, I can live with it," he said. "A good coach recognizes ultimately that we're there for the players and the players are not there for us as coaches. We're serving them, the school, and the community, and sometimes we have to make tough choices."
For Rosolowich, there was no direct line to football. His own "tough choice" came upon his high school graduation, when he had to choose between football and hockey. A goalie, he could have pursued junior hockey in his native Winnipeg, which is a gateway to the National Hockey League.
"(Goalie) was an incredibly demanding position. You're on the ice the entire game, and quickness and the ability to move around the ice are required," Rosolowich said. "You also have a huge amount of padding on, and you have to be able to move around as if it's nothing.
"I knew that college would give me an education, so I chose football. With only 12 teams -- and 24 goalies (in the NHL) -- I was quick to do the math. It would have been a huge task to make it (to the NHL)."
Rosolowich eventually landed a scholarship to Boise State, where he was a two-time All-American at defensive back. That led to a five-year professional career with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League. From there, Rosolowich spent three years coaching in the Canadian Junior Football League.
A 20-year absence from coaching ensued -- until now.
On Saturday night, when the Surfriders face Kamehameha at Aloha Stadium, he'll be on the sideline, where he belongs -- back at the center of action.
OIA Red East
CASTLE KNIGHTS
Coach: Nelson Maeda2003 record: 3-4 Red East, 4-4 overall
2003 postseason: None
Players to watch: LB Blaze Soares, OL/DL Travis Paaga, LB Keoni Gomes, DB/SB Louis Mansanas Jr.
Outlook: After an uncharacteristic finish to the 2003 season that saw them miss the postseason, the Knights took their frustration into the offseason. "Our program demands and revolves around commitment, and the kids have worked really hard," Maeda said.
Leading the way is senior linebacker Soares, the latest on a long list of stellar linebackers who have been tutored by Knights defensive coordinator Harry Paaga. Several Knights will go both ways, highlighted by Gomes, Paaga and Mansanas, senior interior lineman David Makua and senior running back Tarann Bajet. Offensively, junior Bryce Kalauokaaea gets the call at quarterback after earning the job midway through the 2003 season. WR Victor Clore figures to be one of his favorite targets. Kicker Ethan Gonsalves, who also plays wide receiver, is one of the best in the state at his position.
FARRINGTON GOVERNORS
Coach: Randall Okimoto2003 record: 4-2-1 Red East, 7-5-1 overall
2003 postseason: Won OIA Red third-place game, lost to Kahuku in State Division I semifinals
Players to watch: OL Shaun Lauvao, DL Fetaiagogo Fonoti, G Whitley Fehoko, QB Eti Atonio
Outlook: The Governors wore T-shirts with the message "100 percent Opportunity" during fall camp and no player better fit that approach than Fonoti. "He's one of those guys giving a little more than 100 percent," Okimoto said. "He's a very talented young man. We have him playing all over. He's our punter, he returns kickoffs, and he's played tailback, tight end, wide receiver and some quarterback so far."
Fonoti's No. 1 position, however, is on the defensive line, where he was an all-state selection in 2003. With his presence up front defensively, and Lauvao anchoring the offensive line, the Governors should hold their own in the trenches. "It's an area where we were kind of average last year, but they all have had the experience now, so we're improved there." However, the Governors lost their entire defensive backfield and both running backs, including versatile standout Matt Bell. Atonio returns after throwing for more than 1,000 yards in 2003.
KAHUKU RED RAIDERS
Coach: Siuaki Livai2003 record: 7-0 Red East, 14-0 overall
2003 postseason: OIA Red champion, State Division I champion
Players to watch: DB Al Afalava, DL Joseph Faifili, DL B.J. Beatty, DL Max Fairclough
Outlook: Despite Saturday's loss to Utah power Skyline, Kahuku coach Siuaki Livai saw the road trip as an invaluable experience for the defending Division I champions. "Anytime you spend 10 days together in a hotel, you really get to know your players," he said.
Led by Fairclough, Beatty and Faifili up front, and with Afalava anchoring the secondary, the Red Raiders have the makings of the prototypical Kahuku defense, according to Livai. "They're the backbone of our defense," he said. "That (defense) is our strength -- we have some speed there." Offensively, tight end Viliami Tilini and fullback Simote Vea lead the way, with Bronson Ponciano-Ahua getting the call behind center. "I think we'll have a balanced attack, and that's what we're most pleased about." The Red Raiders were plagued by turnovers in their season opener with Skyline, losing five fumbles, but "we're correcting it," Livai said. "Physically, everything went well (against Skyline). We just couldn't keep our hands on the ball."
KAILUA SURFRIDERS
Coach: Gary Rosolowich2003 record: 5-1-1 Red East, 8-3-1 overall
2003 postseason: OIA Red runner-up, lost to Baldwin in State Division I quarterfinals
Players to watch: OL Kainoa LaCount, MLB Hogan Paleafei, RB Damien Torres, RB Kekoa Sua
Outlook: Although new coach Rosolowich's goal is for the Surfrider offense to "become multi-dimensional," he expects the RB tandem of Damien Torres and Kekoa Sua to maintain their productivity of last season. "Both have established themselves, so it's my assumption that they'll continue to perform at the premium level," Rosolowich said.
As always, Kailua's hopes center on a big and agile offensive line that returns seniors Ryan Rodrigues and Jared Spencer in addition to LaCount, who "will be our anchor there," Rosolowich said. Senior quarterback Kelroy Kohatsu is also back. "His strength is his ability to absorb and understand what we're trying to do with every play. He's getting better and better at throwing the ball, and whether or not we can be successful in complementing our run game will depend largely on Kelroy." Defensively, Paleafei leads the way from his middle-linebacker spot. "From what I've seen this summer, he can be a great linebacker," Rosolowich said.
KAIMUKI BULLDOGS
Coach: Daniel Mafua2003 record: 0-7 Red East, 0-8 overall
2003 postseason: None
Players to watch: QB Keha Akau, RB Kaeo Neal, LB Jonah Qoro, LB/FB Semi Qoro
Outlook: The Bulldogs are looking to rebuild under first-year coach Daniel Mafua, who was defensive backs coach at the school until 2000. "We have a lot of young guys who are learning to play the game the way its supposed to be played," he said. "We're hoping they come around faster than we expect. Coming off a season like last year, character-building has been a big challenge for me. Winning takes a lot of will and a lot of hard work, and hopefully we're headed in that direction."
Mafua rates the Bulldogs' defense "a tad better than the offense, although it's hard to gauge after losing 41-0 (to Mililani last week)." Leading the way on defense are the Qoro brothers, Jonah and Semi. "Jonah is one of our best runners, so he can track guys down from sideline to sideline, and Semi can stuff up the middle and make the stops that we need," said Mafua, a free safety at Kaimuki from 1985 to 1987.
Offensively, the Bulldog attack revolves around Akau. "He's a tough, hard-nosed kid and a good competitor," Mafua said. More offensive firepower can be found in senior wide-out Andre Agbayani and Neal Kaeo, a senior running back.
MCKINLEY TIGERS
Coach: William Moeava2003 record: 4-3 Red East, 5-4 overall
2003 postseason: Lost to Mililani in OIA Red playoffs
Players to watch: OT/DT Raphael Ieru, DL Cheyenne Aiko, LB Keke Kaluna, DB Zoltan Matuz
Outlook: The Tigers have been known for their skilled players in recent years, but that figures to change this fall, with several sturdy linemen back in the fold. "Our strength this year will be our offensive and defensive lines," coach Moeava said. "The way these guys go is the way our team will perform. We're struggling at the skill positions right now, so our offensive and defensive lines will have to control the game." The return of two-way lineman Ieru (6-4, 320 pounds) should go a long way in establishing control up front. The secondary should be one of the strengths of the Tiger defense, with seniors Quisano and Matuz returning. "They're a couple of tough, smart kids who are willing to do whatever it takes," Moeava said. Linebacker Keke Kaluna is also back, along with WR/DB Chris Quiocho, who will go both ways. Junior Robin Pau succeeds all-state quarterback Abel Werner behind center.
ROOSEVELT ROUGH RIDERS
Coach: Lester Parrilla2003 record: 1-6 Red East, 2-6 overall
2003 postseason: None
Players to watch: C/DT Justin Okamura, LB/G/RB Brandon Davis, WR/DB Tui Richter, S/QB/WR La'akea Moikeha
Outlook: As in the past, the emphasis is all on the defensive side of the ball for the Rough Riders, who open their season Sept. 3 at Kailua. "We always pick our defense first, and then we pick our offense," said coach Les Parrilla. With that in mind, a battle at quarterback between last year's starter, La'akea Moikeha, and fellow senior Rudy Artuyo is ongoing, with either a possibility to open the Kailua game. "(Moikeha) is getting a lot of reps defensively, but not many offensively right now," Parrilla said. "Both are capable. ... La'akea is the better passer, Rudy is quick on his feet." Davis will anchor the defense from his linebacker position, with Richter and Moikeha leading the way in the secondary. Offensively, the return of Okamura figures to give the Rough Rider line a big lift. "We have good, skilled kids -- our strength is our speed. Whether we can protect is another story," Parrilla said. "We're still working on developing our line. We need to come together as a team, and if we do, we can surprise some people."
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