Farrington, Castle and Kailua expected to give Kahuku toughest OIA tests

The Governors have a potent offense, and the Kalaheo Mustangs' coach is from De La Salle

The conversion rate has programs jingling with new homes and freshly-minted coaches in the Red East Conference of Oahu Interscholastic Association football.

Four teams remained after the league went through its biannual review, which also meant three other squads departed for the lower-tiered White Conference. The four stalwarts -- defending state champion Kahuku, Castle, Farrington and Kailua -- will do their best to welcome new Red East occupants Kalaheo, McKinley and Moanalua.

Randall Okimoto is the general of a Farrington program that the rest of the Red East views as a sleeping giant. Okimoto, however, views Kahuku, Castle and Kailua as the teams to revere.

"The other three are concerns for us because we don't know much about them," he said.

Other coaches are less diplomatic. After all, if Farrington is a sleeping giant, Kahuku has been simply Goliath, Galactus and Iron Giant rolled into one. After four state crowns in the past six years under Siuaki Livai, the helm has a slightly different approach now.

"Like always," Castle coach Nelson Maeda said, "the road always goes through Kahuku."

New Kalaheo coach Chris Miller is aware of the East's beasts.

"It's ferocious football," the former De La Salle (Calif.) assistant said. "All these teams are great, but we welcome that. We'd rather be 12th in the Red than play for a White title."

The Red Raiders have a new coach, former junior varsity chief Reggie Torres, some new assistants and a back-to-the-past philosophy. Still, with a parade of woolly mammoths in the trenches and incredible, sheer numbers (97 players), Kahuku is still the team to beat in the East.

A decade under Siuaki Livai brought limelight to the North Shore school. With Livai's retirement, Torres moved up and brought the style that made him a state-championship winning wrestling coach.

"Red Raiders 4 Lyfe" has yielded to the throwback slogan, "Go Big Red." That's just the beginning of Torres-flavored Kahuku football. Torres is a roots man, maintaining the power game that was taught by Chuck Meade 30 years ago.

The I formation, with and without double-tight end sets, comes from the past.

"He's back, helping the program," Torres said of Meade. "He stays in the background and provides information that I funnel to our coaches."

Those coaches, including Louis Santiago and Darren Johnson, are born-and-bred Red Raiders, as well.

Mandates by Torres are clear-cut.

"There's no swearing whatsoever," defensive tackle Kaniela Tuipulotu said.

Senior free safety Gary Nagy pointed to other adjustments.

"It's just a little more strict, more organized. The coaches are together," said Nagy, who has committed to play football at BYU. "Coach will threaten us if we break the rules. (Bear) crawls, humble drills."

The haka is also a thing of the past.

"Most people he asked felt that the haka wasn't being done right, that it brought the culture down," Nagy added. "He's all about team unity."

The league as a whole is unified, as well, when it comes to practice availability. In the past, some teams got more workouts in because of later starting dates in the classroom. Now, the shift by the DOE to year-round schooling has its pros and cons for coaches and players.

On one hand, academic probation has been sliced significantly due to the early (late July) start to school. Teams like Farrington, which has been known to have 20-plus players out of uniform due to poor fourth-quarter grades, have benefited.

"We've lost six players to grades (this season). It's always a concern for me, but the number is down since we started school early," Okimoto said.

Conversely, teams have lost as many as 25 practice sessions due to the shorter hours. Two-a-days are a thing of the past, particularly for schools that don't have stadium lights. Players are happy, coaches are not.

"We're behind from where we were last year at this time," said Okimoto, a former University of Hawaii running back. "Conditioning isn't the same."

Here's a look at the OIA Red East:

CASTLE KNIGHTS

Coach: Nelson Maeda, 10th year.

Total returnees: 23.

Returning starters, offense: 2.

Returning starters, defense: 3.

On paper: They were 6-3 last season and finished ninth in the Top 10, but this year's Knights lost a wealth of experience and talent to graduation. Also, a 17-6 loss to Campbell last weekend was invaluable.

"It's exactly what we hoped for. Campbell was physically dominant, and that's what we needed," said Maeda, a former UH defensive back. "It showed what we need to work on."

Receivers Corey Paredes (5-11, 205) and Scott Keiter-Charles (5-9, 170) are among several two-way ironmen for Castle. Slotbacks Jesse Humalon and Seth Estioko will also see time on defense. Brayden Torres, a transfer from Damien, also figures into the rotation at slotback and defensive back.

Patrick Kapahu (6-1, 230) anchors the offensive and defensive lines, while Andrew Fakatoka (5-10, 230) will get plenty of action at running back and linebacker.

The skinny: Maeda has long been a tremendous motivator, able to maximize his personnel. With just five returning starters, the Knights have their work cut out for them.

Coach says: "We're decimated, but a lot of backup guys saw playing time last year."

FARRINGTON

Coach: Randall Okimoto, sixth year.

Total returnees: 17.

Returning starters, offense: 8.

Returning starters, defense: 5.

On paper: The Governors are talented and experienced offensively, which is a huge plus in the West Coast offense. When timing and knowledge merge together, the Govs can seem unstoppable. Elijah Filifili was a stat-monger in Farrington's 38-0 win at Waianae.

Receivers Maeli Siliga (5-11, 170) and Elijah Lesu (5-10, 175) give Filifili a pair of agile targets. Having a tight end with speed -- Faifaiese Emosi (6-0, 230) -- is another big plus. Running back Hercules Sula (5-9, 165) will benefit from the return of three starters up front.

"We can do more with this group because they played last year," Okimoto said.

The defense is anchored by end Sam Fehoko (6-2, 220) and tackle Laoleamiotonu Tuimalealiifano (6-2, 260). Taua Olomua (6-0, 260) and Andrew Noga (6-2, 230) round out a line of returning starters.

The skinny: Elroy Chong is back calling plays for the Govs, which means Filifili (6-1, 175) and the offense can fine-tune what could be one of the most explosive offensive attacks in the league. Okimoto has concerns about the shortage of practice sessions.

Coach says: "We have more senior leadership, which in effect trickles down to the underclassmen."

KAHUKU

Coach: Reggie Torres, first year.

Total returnees: 34.

Returning starters, offense: 3.

Returning starters, defense: 3.

On paper: Last year's squad went 11-1 en route to the state crown. This season, experience isn't a strength on defense, but the Red Raiders have plenty of talent to work with. The same goes for offense, where much of the robust offensive line is back -- some in the 6-6, 300-pound range.

The skinny: Torres may be the new varsity coach, but he knows these players because of his JV tenure. He has expectations and isn't afraid to verbalize them.

"Coach told me before (summer) camp that I'll have to be more of a leader," said Tuipulotu, who is coveted by several Division I schools, but is leaning toward Utah.

"Our defense will be solid. We're not as experienced, but guys can step up. We've got speed off the edge and our linebackers are stronger than ever," said Tuipulotu, who began as a 215-pound running back at Lahainaluna. He is now a 290-pound defensive tackle.

Twelve players ran with the ball against Punahou, and four quarterbacks saw action. Samson Manu-Olevao, a 6-2, 195-pound junior, may have the edge among the signal-callers, Torres said.

Coach says: "Not having two-a-days means we're not as banged up, but it will take longer for us to develop. If we can survive and make it to the playoffs, we should be clicking by then."

KAILUA

Coach: Gary Rosolowich, fourth year.

Total returnees: 14.

Returning starters, offense: 2.

Returning starters, defense: 1.

On paper: With 12 sophomores, the Surfriders are about as inexperienced as any team on the varsity level, but that can't be taken as a weakness. They led No. 7-ranked Leilehua 21-7 at the Mules' field before falling.

Junior Billy Oden (5-9, 180) mans the middle of Kailua's 4-3 defense. Safety Tim Maghinay, a multi-sport athlete, has switched from cornerback to safety, where his speed will be a huge resource.

Offensively, Zachary Akamine has made an amazing transition from receiver to quarterback, able to hit receivers in the seams as well as some longtime passers. He threw a pair of early touchdown passes against Leilehua.

"He's come a long way since spring," Rosolowich said. "Even though we lost, it's a step forward. We have a lot of young players."

Wide receiver Darren Fujimoto, who caught two touchdowns against Leilehua, is a key target for Akamine.

The skinny: Rosolowich was pleased with offseason turnouts. A year ago, 30 to 35 players showed up consistently. This year, the number was beyond 70.

"We made a huge emphasis on working out," he said.

One reason for the big turnout is a new philosophy.

"Nobody gets cut based on ability, but you will get cut for lack of commitment," Rosolowich said.

Coach says: "We're investing in our future. If we left our sophomores on JV, we felt we'd be hampering them. It's gonna be trial by fire."

KALAHEO MUSTANGS

Coach: Chris Miller, first year.

Total returnees: 17.

Returning starters, offense: 5.

Returning starters, defense: 3.

On paper: "We went 15-0-2 in summer pass league. It's not indicative of much, but it is indicative of speed," said Miller, who teaches at Kailua Intermediate School.

Last season, Miller arrived and joined the staff under Russ Ramos just one week before the season opener. This time, the offensive coordinator is now head coach, and his team has had a year to learn the veer playbook that was brought over from De La Salle (Calif.).

So far, the Mustangs have a 74-6 win over Kalani, but Miller is looking beyond points.

"We want the ball to be in your face before you get up," Miller said. "The explosion we want, that's what we'll work on."

Middle linebacker Aka Poole, a two-way player, and outside linebacker Kao Malama-Custer lead the defensive unit.

The skinny: The Mustangs showed tremendous work ethic in the offseason, living up to Miller's demands. Like De La Salle, Kalaheo will employ its top athletes on both sides of the ball. Koa Siliga (5-9, 170) is the team's best athlete, Miller said, and will start at running back and defensive back. In all, there are seven ironmen.

"The best will play," Miller promised.

Junior quarterback Cody vonAppen (5-9, 165), son of former UH coach Fred vonAppen, has been stellar in his second varsity season.

"I couldn't have asked for a better athlete and leader for this team," Miller said.

Coach says: "We're going to upset some teams. We've been working since the first Monday after last season ended."

MCKINLEY

Coach: Bobby Grey, first year.

Total returnees: 23.

Returning starters, offense: 5.

Returning starters, defense: 5.

On paper: For more than a half, the Tigers gave mighty Saint Louis a fierce battle, but lack of depth and attrition opened the door for the Crusaders in Friday's game.

Wide receiver Ben Davis showed big-play ability with a 54-yard touchdown catch and run on a screen play. Tilton Kaluna, who suffered an early-season injury last year, is back for his senior campaign.

The skinny: The Tigers are not deep in numbers, but have enough size and talent to possibly squeeze into the playoffs. Staying healthy is paramount.

Coach says: "We're just learning and rebuilding. We're running a 3-4 defense because I knew we'd have a lot of good linebackers," Defensive coordinator Peter Salavea said.

MOANALUA

Coach: Arnold Martinez, fourth year

Total returnees: 21.

Returning starters, offense: 5.

Returning starters, defense: 4.

On paper: Last year's team challenged for the OIA White title, but the graduation of quarterback-safety Stanford Leti and linebacker-running back Quinton Tang means the new Menehunes have big shoes to fill. Moanalua also knows that with training and diligence, it could return to the postseason. Moving up to the Red East presents much bigger challenges.

Lineman Savai'i Eselu (6-4, 250) anchors the Menehunes up front, but overall, they are young and smaller than the average Red East team.

The skinny: Even in the White, this young team would be pressed to challenge for the title. In the Red East, it will take tremendous execution, smarts and perseverance to make a playoff run.

Coach says: "The Red is where we want to be."