Hawaii News Archive - Starbulletin.com

Time for reflection

POSTED: Thursday, December 03, 2009

He is a chess master and the field is his board. 'Iolani coach Wendell Look and his staff have their ways, and it always comes down to elements—none more so than the element of surprise.

The Raiders, who have won the last two Division II state football titles and three of the last four, are still not the biggest and baddest crew of players around. What they are is simple: efficient, obedient and productive.

In many ways, Kauai is the same. The Red Raiders have been highly competitive for decades both in the Kauai Interscholastic Federation and the long-gone Neighbor Island Football Classic series.

When the teams meet tomorrow afternoon in the final of the First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA Division II State Football Championships, fans will see a pair of run-and-shoot offenses that are more than willing to pound away on the ground.

TICKET PRICES
General admission: $12; Seniors (62+ w/ ID): $5; Students: $5

ROAD TO THE STATE TITLE GAMES
» Kahuku (1): First round, bye; semifinals, def. Farrington 9-6 (OT) » Kamehameha (2): First round, bye; semifinals, def. Leilehua 40-0 » 'Iolani (1): First round, bye; semifinals, def. Aiea 21-7 » Kauai (2): First round, bye; semifinals, def. Hawaii Prep 28-14

TOURNAMENT RECORD BOOK
Previous champions
Division 1: 1999, Saint Louis; 2000, Kahuku; 2001, Kahuku; 2002, Saint Louis; 2003, Kahuku, 2004, Kamehameha; 2005, Kahuku; 2006, Kahuku; 2007, Leilehua; 2008, Punahou Division II: 2003, Aiea; 2004, Campbell; 2005, 'Iolani; 2006, King Kekaulike; 2007, 'Iolani; 2008, 'Iolani Oahu Prep Bowl: 1973: Waianae (OIA); 1974: Kamehameha (ILH); 1975: Kamehameha (ILH); 1976: Kamehameha (ILH); 1977: Waianae (OIA); 1978: Waianae (OIA); 1979: Kaiser (OIA); 1980: Iolani / Waianae (ILH/OIA); 1981: Radford (OIA); 1982: Pac-Five (ILH); 1983: Saint Louis (ILH); 1984: Leilehua (OIA); 1985: Pac-Five (ILH) 1986: Saint Louis (ILH); 1987: Saint Louis (ILH); 1988: Saint Louis (ILH); 1989: Saint Louis (ILH); 1990: Saint Louis (ILH); 1991: Saint Louis (ILH); 1992: Saint Louis (ILH); 1993: Saint Louis (ILH); 1994: Saint Louis (ILH); 1995: Saint Louis (ILH); 1996: Saint Louis (ILH); 1997: Saint Louis (ILH); 1998: Saint Louis (ILH)

CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE

PARKING/TURNSTILES/GATES

» Turnstile gates Numbers 1, 4, 5 and 8 open at 3 p.m.

» The Main Salt Lake Gate (No. 1), and the Halawa Gate (No. 3) opens at 3 p.m. The Lower Salt Lake Gate (No. 4) opens at 6 p.m.

» Parking fee is $2 per car and $15 per bus/limousine.

Pay-per-view
Oahu customers who order the game early will
get the doubleheader for $29.95, while orders on the day of the games will be $49.95.

Webcast
The webcast will be on www.oceanic.com

CONTRIBUTORS
Sports Editor
Paul Arnett
Reporter
Paul Honda
Designers
Steven Berkowsky, Michael Rovner
Cover Art
Kip Aoki
Copy Editors
Sjarif Goldstein, Dave Reardon, Billy Hull, Brian McInnis
Photographers
Jamm Aquino, George F. Lee

That's where Look and his assistants have found niches within strategies on both sides of the ball.

Last week, while normally sharp Jarrett Arakawa tossed three interceptions against Aiea, 'Iolani regrouped and put its trust in a relatively small offensive line and running back Ammon Baldomero. The senior rushed for career-highs of 134 yards on 32 carries.

Wide receiver Trevyn Tulonghari, who had no rushing attempts all season, had two against Aiea, scoring on a 12-yard run. Another surprise: Josiah Sukumaran, a 6-foot-3 basketball player-turned-receiver, pulled in six catches for 66 yards, doubling his reception total for the year.

On paper: 'Iolani (11-2) is ranked No. 5 in the Star-Bulletin Football Top 10 and is the No. 1 seed in the D-II tourney.

Kauai (10-0) has traveled off-island once this season, winning at Lahainaluna 35-17 in a midday August scorcher. Coach Derek Borrero succeeded Keli'i Morgado two seasons ago, and the Red Raiders have won the KIF seven seasons in a row.

This is Kauai's second trip to the D-II final. The teams faced each other two years ago in the semifinals; 'Iolani won 35-21 at Eddie Hamada Field.

Quarterback Trey Shimabukuro passed for 208 yards (17-for-31) and two touchdowns in last Friday's 28-14 comeback win over Hawaii Prep.

Shimabukuro was picked off twice, but Paleku Yasay anchored the ground attack with 60 yards on 16 carries. Kauai had 24 carries in a balanced attack.

'Iolani, once again, had more rushing attempts than passes in a victory. The Raiders finished with 38 carries for 135 yards against Aiea's mammoth defensive line.

The skinny: Kauai hasn't faced a passing attack as dangerous as 'Iolani's yet. Hawaii Prep, a run-first team, threw for 247 yards last week, and receiver Nathaniel Adams had eight catches for 142 yards. Every defense has picked its poison against 'Iolani, and Tulonghari (69 receptions, 915 yards, 10 touchdowns) or Kevin Barayuga (56, 623, 13) benefit most.

Bret Christman (27, 359, 3) and Kasey Takahashi (23, 332, 1) have also cashed in against gambling defenses.

The key, of course, is Arakawa and his offensive line. Given time, he has been accurate and clutch. The senior southpaw passed for 248 yards and two touchdowns in an upset win over Kamehameha in early September. He's thrown for 2,769 yards and 31 touchdowns. 'Iolani's no-huddle offense—which makes defensive substitutions difficult—and Arakawa's quick release have kept interceptions to a minimum (13), just one per 30 attempts.

Arakawa has a completion rate of just 56 percent, but his passer rating is a remarkable 134.8.

Yasay (5-9, 210) is a classic KIF running back, powerful and savvy. He has run as many as 32 times in a game this season, but will have to contend with 'Iolani's defensive tackles, Kaena Moose (6-1, 270) and Seali'i Epenesa (6-2, 315).

Shimabukuro's favorite targets include Kalena Rodero-Workman (5-9, 170), Taran Tani and Jamen Kealoha-Albarado, but Yasay is another weapon as a pass catcher. He scored on a 25-yard pass against HPA.

X factor: Kauai has not played on synthetic turf all year. 'Iolani has played eight games at Aloha Stadium.

KEY STATISTICS

'IOLANI RAIDERS (11-2)

No. Name	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
1 Ammon Baldomero	RB	5- 9	180	11
2 Tony Genco	WR	5- 10	150	11
3 Sean Nada	DB	5- 7	155	12
4 Jaron Teramoto	RB	5- 3	135	12
5 Andrew Skalman	DB	5- 9	150	12
6 Kyle Hanaoka	LB	5- 2	160	12
7 Reid Saito	DB	5- 10	175	11
8 Addison Kogami	DB	5- 10	200	11
9 Larson Leu	DB	5- 7	145	12
10 Carlos Rodriguez	DB	6-0	180	11
11 Kevin Barayuga	SL	5- 8	150	11
12 Jarrett Arakawa	QB	6- 0	180	12
14 Josh Hannum	QB	6-0	200	10
18 Lambert Leong	WR	5- 9	160	12
20 Sam Lee	WR	5- 10	155	11
21 Cody Petro-Sakuma	LB	5- 7	175	11
22 Jaren Nakamura	DB	5-7	140	11
23 Trevyn Tulonghari	WR	6- 1	180	11
24 Kyle Pang	DB	5- 6	120	10
25 Bret Christman	WR	5- 10	170	11
26 Kasey Takahashi	SL	5- 5	140	10
27 Trey Muraoka	DB	5- 7	155	10
29 Dane Arakawa	SL	5- 7	135	10
32 Greg Lum	DL	5- 10	185	12
33 Maika Kealoha	SL	5-6	150	10
34 Alex Matsunami	RB	5- 7	170	12
35 Dylan Goto	DB	5- 3	130	11
36 Kienen Koga	DB	5- 7	130	10
37 Logan Watanabe	SL	5- 9	135	11
40 Dyllon Sue	DB	5- 7	155	10
41 John Foy	LB	5- 10	185	12
43 Schuyler Shigemura	DB	5- 7	150	10
No. Name	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
44 Reuben Sele	DL	6-0	180	11
45 Matt Padaca	LB	6- 1	175	11
46 Troy Odo	DB	5-11	185	10
47 Geovar Agbayani	DB	5-8	140	10
49 Austin Gima	LB	5-8	170	10
50 Micah Freitas-Garrido	OL	6-2	180	10
51 Dave Miyamoto	OL	6-0	215	10
53 Tyler Tokunaga	OL	5-7	150	11
54 Tiras Koon	OL	6-0	230	11
55 Micah Baclig	OL	6-0	210	12
58 Brandon Kaiura	OL	5-9	165	10
60 Jordan Shimoda	OL	5-10	190	10
62 Lucas Griswold	DL	5-8	170	10
64 Mike Miyamoto	LB	5-10	165	10
65 Ryo Chow	OL	5-9	200	11
66 Grant Yonemoto	OL	5-7	180	12
67 Scott Tan	LB	5-9	170	10
70 Rhys Ishihara	OL	5-8	200	10
74 Matt Noguchi	OL	5-7	180	10
75 Kaena Moose	DL	6-1	270	12
77 Evan Teramoto	DL	5-11	155	11
80 Maxx Taga	DL	5- 6	180	11
82 Josiah Sukumaran	WR	6-2	180	11
83 Josh Seto	SL	6-0	170	12
84 Matt Talavera	WR	5-10	160	12
85 Keahi Hogan	DB	6-3	175	11
88 Austin Slade-Matautia	DB	6-0	165	11
89 Drew Matsuura	SL	5-4	125	10
92 Everett Vasconcellos	DB	5-11	155	12
98 Jona Like-Uehara	DL	6-1	220	10
99 Seali'i Epenesa	DL	6- 2	315	12

Head coach: Wendell Look
Asst. coaches: Randyn Akiona, Matt Alices, Sam Cropsey, Reid Elam, Gary Kaneshiro, Joel Lane, John Stepien, Glenn Takara, Matt Tan

KAUAI RED RAIDERS (10-0)

No. Name	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
1 John Das	QB/DB	5-11	160	10
2 Kalen Nakaahiki	DB	5-9	160	12
3 3 Paleku Yasay	RB	5-9	210	12
4 Cameron Largusa	DB/WR	5-10	180	12
5 J. Kealoha-Albarado	LB	6-0	195	11
6 Lyle Ueunten	WR/DB	5-3	135	12
7 Taran Tani	DB/WR/RB	5-5	135	12
8 Shea Shimabukuro	DB/WR	5-10	150	11
9 K. Rodero-Workman	LB/WR/QB	5-9	170	12
10 Anderson Baloran	QB/WR	5-8	145	11
11 Puna Hanohano	LB	6-2	175	12
12 Mason Manera	WR/DB	5-9	150	10
14 Trey Shimabukuro	QB	6-1	180	12
20 20 Kevin Reyes	DB/WR	5-7	150	11
12 R. Fukushima-Peahu	DB/WR	5-7	150	10
23 Dustin Julian	LB/RB	5-4	150	12
24 Arjay Honorato	LB	5-7	155	11
25 Kele Hanohano	DB/RB	5-8	170	11
32 Travis Koga	RB/LB	5-10	175	11 34
Kalen Kimura	DL	5-10	170	11
42 Keoki Pantorilla	RB/DB	5-5	145	10
44 Niko Chow	LB/WR	5-11	155	12
45 Austin Oshiro	SL/LB	5-7	150	10
No. Name	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
50 Camtin Ragudo	DL	5-10	195	12
51 Kepa Nakaahiki	DE/LB	6-0	230	12
52 Kyle Gusman	OL/DL	5-9	225	11
53 Daylin Huni	OL/DL	6-1	280	11
54 Isaac Silva II	OL/DL	5-7	175	11
55 Cy Morishige	OL/DL	5-5	170	10
56 Kawela Fernandez	DL	5-8	165	12
57 C. Bargamento	OL/DL	6-0	235	10
58 K. Kamanu-Kauan	DL	5-7	220	12
60 D. Ferreira-Kashima	DL	5-9	220	10
61 Miles Medrano	OL	5-10	245	11
62 Bryson Galiza	OL/DL	5-7	235	12
65 Noah Gusman	OL/DL	5-11	180	12
66 Ross Ozaki	OL/DL	5-10	230	12
68 Blaz Gusman	OL/DL	5-9	230	10
70 Tanner Martiney	OL	6-0	210	11
72 Scot Sasan	C/DL	5-9	190	12
75 Aaron Victorino	OL/DL	6-0	230	12
77 Christian St Laurent	DL	6-1	240	11
79 Chaysen Medina	OL/DL	5-10	190	12
81 Kevin Kelekoma	WR/DB	5-4	125	12
88 Wayne Knight	WR/DB	5-8	150	11

Head coach: Derek Borrero
Asst. coaches: Michael Tresler. Mario Longboy, Trent Shimabukuro, Todd Tanaka, Alvin Sasil, Craig Koga, Kevin Kelekoma, Wes Chow, Stacy Iwasaki, Lawai'a Naihe, Lance Okazaki, Kaleo Saiki, Alan Satta, Eric Shibuya, Jon Takamura

OTHER STATS

	'Iolani	Kauai
Total offense
Plays	768	347
Avg. Per Play	5.0	5.9
Avg. Per Game	296.0	343.5
Rushing yards
Attempts	346	150
Avg. per rush	3.0	5.5
Avg. per game	79.7	140.8
	'Iolani	Kauai
Passing yards
Att.-Comp.-Int.	422-236-15	197-98-5
Avg. per pass	6.7	6.2
Avg. per catch	11.9	12.4
Avg. per game	215.0	202.7

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

RUSHING
'Iolani
Player	GP	Att	Yds	AVG.	TD	AVG/G
Ammon Baldomero	11	176	683	3.9	6	62.1
Alex Matsunami	13	61	241	3.9	6	18.5
Kauai
Player	GP	Att	Yds	AVG.	TD	AVG/G
Paleku Yasay	5	78	529	6.8	3	105.8
Kupono Park	6	14	143	10.2	1	23.8
PASSING
'Iolani
Player	GP	EFFC.	A-C-I	PCT.	YDS	TD	AVG/G
Jarrett Arakawa	13	134.8	390-217-13	55.6	2,769	31	213.0
Kauai
Player	GP	EFFC.	A-C-I	PCT.	YDS	TD	AVG/G
Trey Shimabukuro	5	119.4	167-82-3	49.1	1,037	11	207.4
RECEIVING
'Iolani
Player	GP	No.	YDS	AVG	TD	AVG/G
Trevyn Tulonghari	12	69	915	13.3	10	76.3
Kevin Barayuga	13	56	623	11.1	13	47.9
Kauai
Player	GP	NO.	YDS	AVG	TD	AVG/G
Taran Tani	6	35	377	10.8	4	62.8
Kalena Rodero-Workman	6	18	299	16.6	4	49.8

Note: Kauai's individual statistics pertain to Kauai Interscholastic Federation only