High schools
QBs who gave up dream jobs

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

Kaiser quarterback David Chu started at cornerback last season. Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser

But Wai'anae's Kekoa Reyes and Kaiser's David Chu have one thing in common, having learned one of sports' most important lessons: They understand that there is no "i" in "team."

Both players dreamed of being varsity quarterbacks, and both eventually got to experience that dream. However, the route they took to get there, and the sacrifices they continue to make, show that dream fulfillment often comes with a price.

Reyes grew up playing quarterback and started at that position on Wai'anae's JV team two years ago.

When it became clear in last year's varsity fall camp that seniors Jonah Nunuha and Brandon Lopes would share the starting quarterback role, Reyes was moved to safety.

The 6-1, 200-pound Reyes became so adept at roaming the defensive backfield, he earned first-team all-state honors and drew attention from coaches at Nebraska, Georgia Tech, Washington and Hawai'i.

But when Nunuha and Lopes graduated, Reyes became Wai'anae's top quarterback prospect. Not that Reyes, a senior, had a problem with the move.

"I wanted to play quarterback," he said.

Reyes made a smooth transition, passing for 326 yards and three touchdowns and rushing for 161 yards and three touchdowns in the Seariders' first three O'ahu Interscholastic Association games.

But Wai'anae went 1-2 in those games, its worst OIA start since 1971. One big reason was a defense that surrendered 55 points to Castle and 27 to Kailua.

"After the Kailua game, the coaches said we're gonna have to make some changes," Reyes said.

Kekoa Reyes solidified Wai'anae's defense since moving from quarterback to safety. "If we make the playoffs, it'll be worth it," he says. Advertiser library photo

"We needed him back on defense," Wai'anae coach Dan Matsumoto said. "Having him back there might have been a morale boost for us."

The move appears to have worked, as the Seariders have won three straight since and allowed only 13 points in the process. Senior Caleb Paakaula stepped in at quarterback and did an admirable job, with help from Reyes.

"We thought Kekoa would be disappointed, but he wasn't that way," Matsumoto said. "In Caleb's first game, against Farrington, Kekoa was on the sidelines giving him advice. He's not being selfish; we're pleased with his attitude."

Reyes, whose grandfather Omega Reyes played for Wai'anae in the 1960s, knows that keeping the Seariders' rich winning tradition alive is more important than any individual reward. Wai'anae (4-2) needs a victory over Mililani Friday to assure itself of an 18th consecutive playoff appearance.

"It's do or die from now on," Reyes said. "But we're looking pretty good. We're back on track."

Kaiser's playoff hopes, however, appear to be dashed. Coach Tony Gayer said the Cougars (3-3) have now focused on playing spoiler against OIA White Conference leader 'Aiea (6-0) Friday. Their chances rest largely with Chu leading a dynamic pass-oriented attack.

"He's a good athlete and real competitive," Gayer said of Chu, a senior. "He's been real helpful to our offense."

Last year, Chu was real helpful to Kaiser's defense. Like Reyes, he prefers playing quarterback, but record-setting passer B.J. Bernard had that position locked up in 1999 and 2000.

Chu's skills were needed at cornerback, where he became a starter last season.

"It's not something I like to do much," Chu said of playing defense. "But it was for the team."

With Bernard's graduation, Chu's dream job opened up, but it was not a simple move. The Cougars' offense is a hybrid of the run-and-shoot, West Coast and vertical stretch, taking concepts from each.

"I had to learn how to read defenses," Chu said. "It was confusing at the beginning."

Chu is a quick learner. He's passed for 1,344 yards and 10 touchdowns.

"We can't ever complain about how he's done this year," Gayer said. "At this point, he's surpassed our expectations."

Gayer said Chu is one of several Cougars who switched positions to help this year's team, and Matsumoto said he's also had to do more shuffling this season than in the past.

"We're making a lot of them play positions that are not their first choice," Matsumoto said.

Said Reyes: "If we make the playoffs, it'll be worth it."