Mililani’s expectations high

Arceneaux hopes to take No. 9 Trojans farther this year

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A 7-2 overall record is nothing to overlook. In fact, most programs in the state would welcome a solid, winning season.

TOP 10 COUNTDOWN With high school football starting on Aug. 15, the Star-Bulletin is counting down its preseason Top 10, as determined in a poll of coaches and media members: 10. Farrington 9. Mililani 8. Tomorrow 7. Saturday 6. Sunday 5. Monday 4. Tuesday 3. Wednesday 2. Thursday 1. Aug. 15

At Mililani, however, the bar is higher. The Trojans are aiming for a league championship and more, and coach Darnell Arceneaux believes the tools are there.

Coaches and media agree, too. They voted Mililani to a No. 9 ranking in the Star-Bulletin Football Preseason Top 10.

The Trojans have eight starters back, including Star-Bulletin All-State second-team wide receiver Dalaunte "Taz" Stevenson. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound junior had 20 receptions for 265 yards and four touchdowns last year. Stevenson, who has a verbal scholarship offer from UH (according to Arceneaux), amassed 10 touchdowns in dual roles of receiver and goal-line running back.

With a nucleus of talent in the trenches, Stevenson might be the ace in Mililani's hand. Mililani ranked second in the Oahu Interscholastic Association Red West in total offense last season (251 yards per game).

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As a student of the game, Darnell Arceneaux longs to pass along his knowledge to aspiring younger pupils.

2008 Aug. 23 Saint Louis Aug. 30 at Leilehua Sept. 6 Waipahu Sept. 13 Pearl City Sept. 26 Nanakuli Oct. 3 at Kapolei Oct. 10 at Waianae 2007 (7-2) Castle W 43-6 Waianae L 9-13 Pac-Five W 29-13 Leilehua W 16-14 Kapolei W 23-7 Aiea W 21-14 Campbell W 14-7 Radford W 36-6 Leilehua L 27-21 Previous four years 2006: 8-4, state first round 2005: 6-3 2004: 10-2, state first round 2003: 9-3, state first round

The former Saint Louis and University of Utah quarterback enters his second year at the helm of the Mililani football program. For young signal-callers like Joshua Manuma and Matt Milton, it's a chance to learn everything about quarterbacking from one who knows the position inside and out.

Mililani opens the new season at No. 9 in the Star-Bulletin Football Preseason Top 10. The Trojans are withstanding a significant loss to graduation, but Arceneaux is optimistic -- and demanding -- about his team.

In the midst of a 3-hour practice at John Kauinana Stadium, the coach does more than instruct the X's and O's of Mililani's multiple-set offense. He sees warning signs and signals a verbal alarm. The team responds with more urgency and intensity.

"I get on them hard, but they know that I love 'em," Arceneaux said. "We need the leaders to emerge. I'm starting to see guys step up."

Coming off a season that fell short of a state-tournament berth, the Trojans return a nucleus that doesn't lack confidence. After all, Mililani knocked off arch rival and eventual state champion Leilehua during Oahu Interscholastic Association play last year.

On paper: A cornerstone of Mililani football, going back to the regimes of Kauinana and James Millwood, has been offensive line play. The Trojans are solid again up front, anchored by junior left tackle Sonny Westbrook (6-foot-4, 220). Senior Benson Ma'afala (6-3, 270), a transfer from Damien, could work his way into the starting lineup.

Manuma (6-0, 185) is crisp on the move, particularly running the flex option. Milton, a transfer from Pac-Five, has a cannon for an arm.

The gem of the offense, though, is Dalaunte "Taz" Stevenson (6-2, 190), a second-team wide receiver on the Star-Bulletin All-State Team. The speedy junior will see action on defense, which adds up to 45 or 50 plays per game, Arceneaux said.

Middle linebacker Sterling Cossey (5-10, 210) and defensive end Vinnie Manu (6-5, 225) are bedrocks of the defense.

The skinny: With Stevenson's ability to go deep or turn short passes into big gains, opponents will have their hands full. Manuma's running ability is one thing. Whether he develops quickly enough to keep defenses honest is another.

"He's got very good instincts with everything," Arceneaux said. "It's about getting him more experience, more reps."

Defensively, the Trojans are quick. Cossey follows a long line of outstanding linebackers in the middle at Mililani. The unit is relatively small, but in the run-heavy OIA, it always comes down to tackling skill regardless of size.

Despite 78 on the roster, including 30 returnees, Mililani has five returning starters on defense and just three on offense.

X factor: If teams double up on Stevenson, the Trojans must be opportunistic. "We have to make sure that the opposite receiver from Taz can beat his guy one-on-one," Arceneaux said. Four receivers with different strengths are in a battle for the starting job.

The Trojans will learn more after scrimmages with Moanalua tomorrow and at Kahuku on Saturday. They open nonconference play against Saint Louis on Aug. 23.