Run-first teams
had most success

In an age when run-and-shoot attacks produce astronomical statistics, three of the four semifinal teams in the First Hawaiian Bank State Football Championships were Stone Age, run-first outfits.

None were more brutally efficient than Kamehameha, which often lined up in an ace formation with double tight ends. At times, Kamuela Kapanui lined up as an H-back, but it was the same effect: 'We'll run downhill over you again and again.' The result was a 212-yard, 39-carry performance for senior running back Jayson Rego.

The Warriors trailed Leilehua, with its hybrid passing offense, 7-0 at halftime in Friday's title game. "We just said, 'We gotta keep pounding it,' " center Tyler Williams said. "We felt that as a line, we were solid."

True. The Warriors ran well against a normally tough Mule defense, but three first-half turnovers derailed plans. Injured quarterback Pono Kam, who did not start, entered the game in the second quarter, and the tide began to turn.

"Jayson was getting stuffed. He said I had to pick him up," said Kam, a senior. "We just had to be patient. It was just our time."

Leilehua linebacker B.J. Fruean was among the Mules who gave chase on Rego's game-turning 79-yard touchdown run. He managed to get a handful of jersey inside the 10-yard line before Rego closed out the run.

"They came out fighting on every play. Our first score didn't faze them," said Fruean, a 6-2, 185-pound senior. "I'm very disappointed, but things don't always go your way all the time. We're still champions at heart."

Williams, who often was the pulling blocker on Rego's runs, summed it up for Warriors and Warrior fans who have waited 25 years for a postseason crown. "It's awesome," he said. "Unexplainable."

Honor for Bear: Gatorade selected Baldwin linebacker Kaluka Maiava Hawaii Football Player of the Year.

The 6-foot, 215-pound senior, who has verbally committed to play for USC, scored four of his five touchdowns on offense. He also blocked three punts, netting a safety and a touchdown. He has a 3.0 grade-point average.

Maiava joins 2002 and '03 winner Abel Werner of McKinley and '01 winner Jonathan Mapu (Kahuku) among others in the Gatorade Circle of Champions.

Mustangs in rebuilding mode: A year ago, Kalaheo was its usual dominant self in the world of Oahu Interscholastic Association boys basketball. Today, the cupboard is almost bare, and the Mustangs have work to do.

"This is as depleted as we've ever been in terms of returnees," veteran coach Chico Furtado said. "We're inexperienced."

Only two returnees saw significant playing time last year. All-State center Sam Wilhoite is now playing at a Texas junior college. Even Theo Fujita, who was to be a senior leader this winter, stayed on the East Coast after a summer of AAU basketball.

That leaves coach Furtado without a single returning starter. A squad of raw talent could become intimidated by all those championship banners in Kalaheo Gym.

The Mustangs finished fourth in the Kalaheo Classic last week, showing both their potential and their youth. In the semifinal round, they led Kamehameha by 10 in the final quarter before losing 53-52. The next day, they were ambushed by one of the state's top teams, Punahou.

Athletes of the week

Jayson Rego, Kamehameha: 212 rushing yards on 39 carries, including a 79-yard touchdown run, as the Warriors defeated Leilehua 28- 7 for the Division I state football championship.

Honor roll

FOOTBALL

Pono Kam, Kamehameha: Came off the bench to rally the Warriors with three TD passes against Leilehua.
Chustin Senas, Leilehua: Seven receptions for 119 yards, plus two tackles on defense in the loss to Kamehameha.
Michael Holt, Kamehameha: The cornerback intercepted two passes in the win over Leilehua.
B.J. Fruean, Leilehua: 16 tackles, including seven unassisted plays, in the loss to Kamehameha.
Mason Edra, Leilehua: 10 tackles, including five solo, against Kamehameha.
Guyes Galdeira, Leilehua: Nine tackles, including four unassisted, and an interception despite a bad case of leg cramps in the loss to Kamehameha.
Gerritt Vincent, Kamehameha: Seven tackles, including four solo, to lead the Warrior defense.
Justin Lawelawe, Leilehua: Rushed for 39 yards and caught three passes for 54 more in the loss to Kamehameha.
Isiah Smith, Campbell: Rushed for 122 yards, including a 3-yard touchdown run, on 14 carries in the Sabers' 28-7 win over Iolani.
Kaneala Stanton, Campbell: 113 rushing yards on 10 attempts against Iolani. Also had two sacks on defense.
Thomas Lopes, Campbell: The backup defensive lineman stepped into the starting lineup and had four sacks in the win over Iolani.
Christopher Ganigan, Campbell: The cornerback had three tackles and several pass deflections as the Sabers stifled Iolani's run-and-shoot attack.
Landon Patoc, Iolani: Thirteen tackles, including 11 solo, against Campbell.
Daniel Takami, Iolani: Six unassisted tackles, nine total, in the loss to Campbell.
Jon Takamura, Iolani: Seven tackles, including six solo, against Campbell.
Isaac Laupola, Campbell: Caught two passes for 17 yards, had a 41-yard interception return and four tackles against Iolani.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Jeremiah Ostrowski, Punahou: The sophomore guard averaged 23.7 points per game as Punahou finished third in the Kalaheo Classic.
Ehitu Keeling, Hawaii Prep: Scored 25 points in a 63-59 overtime win over Kohala.
Tristan Bailey, Campbell: Scored 22 points against Maryknoll and 16 against Punahou to help the Sabers reach the finals of the Kalaheo Classic.
Kaipo Villa, Kamehameha: Scored 25 points as the Warriors downed Campbell 54-45 in the Kalaheo Classic title game.
Justin Luavasa, Nanakuli: Scored 20 points against Kalaheo and 27 against Roosevelt.
Tyler Tsukazaki, Maryknoll: The sophomore guard tallied 22 points against Roosevelt and 23 vs. Moanalua.
Kellen Hastie, Mid-Pacific: 25 points in a 53-44 loss to Hawaii Prep.
Toby Misech, Hilo: 21 points in a 75-69 win over Honokaa.
Aukai Wong, Hilo: The Keaau transfer scored 19 in a win over Mid-Pacific.

To nominate ...