OIA White Conference football all-stars
'Aiea sweeps top honors following stellar season

WENDELL SAY ‘Aiea Coach of Year		RELLIN Radford Running back		ASINSIN Nanakuli Running back
ESTEBAN Kaiser Wide receiver		MEDEIROS ‘Aiea Wide receiver		FRUEAN Waipahu Tight end
WYMAN ‘Aiea Offensive line		SHANKLIN Radford Offensive line		KAOPUA Nanakuli Offensive line
CROWLEY Kalaheo Offensive line		POPOALII Roosevelt Offensive line		SIMMONS Kalaheo Special teams
FAILAUGA Radford Special teams		TAWATA Radford Defensive back		BEERS Kaiser Defensive back
NAKASONE Roosevelt Defensive back		GILROY Radford Linebacker		ULUFALE Nanakuli Defensive line
KAHOOILIHALA Roosevelt Defensive line		TAUFOOU Waipahu Defensive line		PALEMIA Radford Defensive line
KIMSEL Roosevelt Linebacker		TAUANUU ‘Aiea Linebacker

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

This season was unlike any other in the 40-year history of 'Aiea High School football.

It was Na Ali'i's first unbeaten (8-0) regular season. The 10 wins overall set a school record ('Aiea finished 10-2).

And now another first: Na Ali'i swept Offensive Player, Defensive Player and Coach of the Year honors in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association White Conference.

Quarterback Lole Laolagi was named Offensive Player of the Year, cornerback Bryan Tucker-Salas was Defensive Player of the Year and Wendell Say was named Coach of the Year in a vote of league coaches.

LOLE LAOLAGI 'Aiea quarterback Player of the Year

He also was a threat to run, rushing for 258 yards on 60 carries (4.3 yards per carry). All in all, not bad for a guy who started his junior year as a receiver.

"He was really super, considering he hasn't played the position for very long," Say said. "He worked hard all summer and was committed to playing quarterback."

BRYAN TUCKER-SALAS 'Aiea defensive back Player of the Year

"I think a lot of coaches set up their offensive plans, even their running plays, to go away from him," Say said. "That was a great compliment."

Despite the avoidance, Say said Tucker-Salas still managed to intercept four passes.

"He made a lot of big plays," Say said. "He's one of the best corners we've had here."

Laolagi and Tucker-Salas are joined on the OIA White first team by three senior teammates — receiver Reuben Medeiros, offensive lineman Levi Wyman and linebacker Warren Tauanuu.

Say, who has been with the 'Aiea program for 22 years overall, is the dean of OIA head coaches in his 10th season. He said this year's team has to be considered one of the school's greatest ever.

"The last time we won the White, in 1992, we did it with only 29 players," Say said. "This year we had about 60, so times have changed. We're getting a lot of support from the alumni and community."