Kealakehe coming on strong in Big Island football
| • | 2001 BIIF schedule |
By Dennis Anderson
Advertiser Staff Writer
On the Big Island, high school sports observers have been anticipating five-year-old Kealakehe High of Kona's emergence as the island's major power. This may be the year.
Kealakehe is already the third largest school on the Big Island (about 1,500 students) and it scored a major coup last spring when it hired veteran college assistant Sam Papali'i as head coach.
Konawaena, where enrollment has dropped as Kealakehe grew, has won 13 championships since 1980 and feels it will contend again this year. Defending champion Hilo and Hawai'i Prep are the other teams to consider.
Kea'au, just south of Hilo, makes its varsity debut.
HAWAI'I PREP KA MAKANI
• 2000: 8-3-0 overall, 6-3 BIIF
• Coach: Tom Goodspeed, 3rd year, 12-9
• Top players:
LB/SB Bully Fergustrum (5-8, 175, Sr.)
DB/FB Oskie Rice (5-6, 165, Sr.)
OL Sam Johnson (5-9, 235, Sr.)
DE Mikey Vitousek (6-5, 195, Jr.)
• Outlook: "We're shooting to win and be competitive, but we need the stars and moon and everything to come into alignment," coach Tom Goodspeed said.
HPA has a coed enrollment of 320 with 39 boys on the football team. "We can't get injured. If a key player goes down, we're in trouble," Goodspeed said.
HPA lost its opening preseason game to strong Lutheran High from Orange, Calif., 28-6. Then Ka Makani rebounded to beat Kaua'i, 14-7, the week after Kaua'i had upset defending Maui champion Maui High.
"Our strengths are pass defense and pass protection," Goodspeed said. "We must improve our tackling and we need to be able to finish games stronger; we had a letup against Kaua'i."
• Fun facts: Gordon Bryson coached HPA's last league championship team in 1993; now he is the upper school's principal. HPA, a boarding school, has had all-league running backs from Egypt, China, Canada, Japan, Waimea, and the Mainland, "making us the most U.N. of the schools in Hawai'i football," Bryson said.
HILO VIKINGS
• 2000: 8-3-0 overall, 8-1 BIIF, eliminated in quarterfinals of state tournament
• Coach: Albert Kawelu Jr., 6th year (record not available)
• Top players:
DL Sosaia Tauelangi (6-1, 320, Sr.)
LB Keola Daog (5-10, 200, Sr.)
RB Hayden Stevens (5-10, 185, Sr.)
OT Abraham Medeiros (6-4, 270, Soph.)
QB Davin Feary (5-8, 160, Sr.)
CB Kaiana Trask (6-0, 180, Sr.)
• Outlook: 12 players were on academic probation and did not make the trip to Kaua'i, where Hilo was thrashed by Waimea 45-0 in its preseason game. Coach Albert Kawelu says everyone will be eligible for the BIIF opener Friday against Kohala, but two key players might be lost for the season to injuries. Two-time all-league tailback Hayden Stevens may have torn a quadriceps muscle and returning center Kauhane Hanson may have torn an achilles tendon in the opener.
Hilo may start three sophomores in its offensive line.
Despite injuries and youth, Kawelu says, "We can repeat if we work hard." He sees Kealakehe as the team to beat; Hilo plays the Waveriders Sept. 22 at Old Kona Airport Park.
Linebacker Keola Daog was BIIF Defensive Co-Player of the Year in 2000.
• Fun fact: In the early 1960s, Hilo fielded two teams, an A team in the Maui league and a B team in the Big Island league. When they returned to a single unit, Ted Ura coached the Vikings to several BIIF championships.
HONOKA'A DRAGONS
• 2000: 2-8 overall, 2-6 BIIF
• Coach: Paul Purdy, 1st year
• Top players:
DB Tywin Ah-Puck (5-8, 140, Sr.)
QB Keola Nobriga (6-1, 190, Sr.)
RB Kaimana Kahunui (6-1, 200, Jr.)
OL Kekoa Pahio (6-0, 245, Sr.)
WR Daviah Domingo (5-8, 150, Jr.)
DT Isaiah Dala Pena (6-1, 250, Soph)
DT Kanalu Cuelho (5-11, 215, Sr.)
LB Pat Vinluan (6-0, 185, Sr.)
LB Cameron Hart (5-11, 180, Jr.)
SS Bronson Young-Hansen (5-11, 170, Sr.)
DB Ted Lau (5-9, 150, Sr.)
FS Dustin Cariaga (5-10, 160, Sr.)
• Outlook: Though Honoka'a lost its opening preseason game at Kapa'a 35-2, coach Paul Purdy said he was pleased his team was "still competing regardless of the score."
His 35-player squad is strong at positions like wide receiver, quarterback, linebacker and defensive back, he said. "We'll try to be a little more pass oriented as the season goes on."
"I think we'll have a .500 year," Purdy said. That would double last year's victories.
• Fun facts: This is Paul Purdy's first high school head coaching assignment. He grew up in Waimea and played at UH from 1994-96. ... Honoka'a, student population 620, took third place in the state boys basketball tournament this year.
KEA'AU COUGARS
• 2000: no varsity team.
• Coach: Eugene McElroy (school's first year of varsity)
• Top players:
None submitted
• Outlook: This is the first season of varsity football for Kea'au, which opened in 1999. Coach Eugene McElroy did not respond to requests for comment and a list of outstanding players.
• Fun fact: Kea'au will play its home games this season seven miles away at Hilo's Wong Stadium, also the home field for Hilo and Waiakea. Its stadium is supposed to be ready next year.
KEALAKEHE WAVERIDERS
• 2000: 6-4 overall, 5-4 BIIF
• Coach: Sam Papali'i (first year)
• Top players:
OG Matt Gaughen (6-2, 300, Sr.)
C Patrick Kapuniai (6-3, 300, Sr.)
RB Peter Ebeniz (5-8, 185, Sr.)
DT T.T. Anakalea (5-8, 270, Sr.)
MLB Toa Fakatoumafi (5-10, 220, Jr.)
CB/WR James Kamoku (6-3, 195, Jr.)
RB Thomas Kamoku (6-0, 175, Soph.)
WR Marcus Weems (6-4, 185, Sr.)
DE Josh Larrua (6-0, 215, Jr.)
LB/DE Chris Panavaroff (6-0, 200, Jr.)
• Outlook: New coach Sam Papali'i was pleased with the Waveriders' execution of their triple-option offense in a 40-15 preseason victory over Moanalua. "We had no turnovers in the first half and scored four touchdowns," he said, "and we started three sophomores on offense."
Papali'i considers Waiakea the team to beat and feels his team will know if it is a contender after the opening game Friday against Hawai'i Prep.
While ground is supposed to be broken for its campus stadium this year, Kealakehe is playing home games at Old Kona Airport Park, where there are no bleachers. "Our players set up fences and scaffolding before the game and take them down afterward. Maybe if we win we will get some volunteers," he said.
The single-back, flexbone offense produced 121 yards in 11 carries by "B-back" Thomas Kamoku in the preseason game.
Preseason training included 4:30 a.m. runs at Hapuna Beach. "It developed a lot of camaraderie," Papali'i said.
• Fun fact: Sam Papali'i has 18 years experience as a college assistant, including at University of Hawai'i. This is his first high school head coaching position. "I love it," he said.
KOHALA COWBOYS
• 2000: 4-7 overall, 3-6 BIIF
• Coach: Beldon Kealoha (3rd year, 4-16)
• Top players:
TB/FS Shaun Pang (5-9, 175, Sr.)
MLB/TE Dominic Acorda (5-8, 190, Sr.)
CB/TB Lindo Matsu (5-8, 160, Sr.)
QB/CB Brandon "Goober" Carvalho (5-8, 140, Sr.)
SS Kaeo Sugse (5-4, 140, Sr.)
C/DE Eddie Valenzuela (5-10, 210, Jr.)
OG/DT Jason Ontiveros (6-0, 240, Jr.)
OG/DT Ka'anoi Carvalho (6-0, 220, Jr.)
OT Robbie Monoske (5-11, 210, Soph.)
OT Adriel Robitielle (6-6, 270, Sr.)
OT Brian Matsu (5-9, 220, Sr.)
• Outlook: The Cowboys have improved from being winless two years ago to crushing Kalani 35-0 in their preseason opener this year.
"We had to had to improve on defense to be competitive with bigger schools," coach Beldon Kealoha said. "The young kids have stepped up. They feel we can play anybody up and up. We won't disappoint our fans or our league."
Kohala has 36 players from its student body of 320. Six or seven will play both offense and defense.
Hard work on the passing game during the summer paid off with three touchdown passes against Kalani.
• Fun facts: Kohala's last BIIF football title came in 1960, under coach Harris Moku. ... Lynette Liu, one of the UH Wahine's earliest basketball stars, may be the best-known athlete to graduate from the rural, north coast school.
KONAWAENA WILDCATS
• 2000: 6-5 overall, 6-3 BIIF
• Coach: Roy Aukai, 9th year, 63-12-3 in BIIF
• Top players:
SB/LB Taniela Langi (5-10, 210, Sr.)
WR/FS Eric Rabara (6-2, 160, Sr.)
RB Nano Padillio (5-8, 180, Jr.)
SS Giovanni Griffey (5-11, 160, Sr.)
LB Heze Ambrozio (5-9, 185, Sr.)
LB Kaleo Puou (5-8, 165, Sr.)
C Tamatoa Swanson (6-4, 300, Jr.)
LB Keola Wills (5-9, 175, Jr.)
• Outlook: Injuries kept five Konawaena starters out of the lineup in last Saturday's preseason 55-14 loss to Kamehameha. In their other preseason game, the Wildcats clawed Waialua, 31-7.
"We don't have quantity, but we have quality players," coach Roy Aukai said. "Our chances are good in the league season."
I-formation tailback Taniela Langi is bigger (by an inch and 25 pounds), stronger and faster than last year. Aukai thinks he could surpass some of the records set by Steven Mahelona two years ago.
Konawaena will run 70 percent of the time, Aukai said.
"Our offense is very good, but most of the talent (seven returning starters) is on defense," he said.
• Fun facts: Konawaena won 11 straight Big Island championships from 1980 to 1990, the first six under Jim Barry and three under Roy Aukai. Aukai took a break and returned to win two more titles in 1998 and '99. Barry's main pursuit today is helping his wife sell her renowned Kona cookies.
PAHOA DAGGERS
• 2000: Did not play varsity schedule.
• Coach: Ed Kakalia, first year
• Top players:
QB Chad Haili (5-11, 165, Sr.)
RB Pane Naungayan (5-7, 170, Sr.)
RB Lucky Meafou (5-8, 160, Jr.)
TE Kai Patacsil (5-11, 200, Sr.)
OT Ryan Blenner (6-3, 250, Sr.)
OL Dane Kajiyama (5-11, 230, Sr.)
DE Bruce Scanlan (5-11, 180, Sr.)
DE Michael Kapika (5-10, 160, Jr.)
MLB Kamu Tavares (5-7, 170, Sr.)
OLB E.J. Kalawe (5-8, 155, Sr.)
SS Isaiah Cobb-Adams (5-7, 140, Sr.)
FS Eugene Smythe (5-6, 130, Soph.)
CB Edward Smythe (5-9, 135, Jr.)
CB Eric Behag (5-9, 140, Sr.)
WR Kainui Meyers (5-6, 145, Jr.)
• Outlook: Pahoa was within two days of shutting down its program in May when about a dozen of his former Pop Warner players convinced Ed Kakalia to step up to high school and coach them. "We've got 45 kids out for the varsity now, but a lot of inexperience. I'm up to my ears in teaching," Kakalia said. "We're trying to change attitudes."
Pahoa has not fielded a varsity team since 1998, had no spring practice and no preseason game and faces title-contender Konawaena in its first league game Saturday at home.
• It's a fact: Ed Kakalia was the quarterback of the Kaiser High team that defeated Kamehameha in the 1979 Prep Bowl. He consulted his former high school coaches, Cal and Ron Lee, extensively this summer.
WAIAKEA WARRIORS
• 2000: 5-5 overall, 5-4 BIIF
• Coach: Ed Rocha, 3rd year, 11-9
• Top players:
QB Jomo Young (6-0, 180, Sr.)
DB Kamalu Keawe (6-3, 185, Sr.)
MLB Kawika Reed (6-3, 240, Sr.)
OLB Michael Tanouye (5-9, 185, Sr.)
SS Nick Cockrell (5-8, 185, Sr.)
TB Levi Naehu (5-9, 190, Sr.)
• Outlook: Waiakea defeated Lahainaluna, one of Maui's top teams, 13-7 in preseason despite eight fumbles (three inside the Lunas' 10). The Warriors lost to Punahou, 28-0, last Saturday.
"I feel pretty good about everything. If we stay healthy, we should be in the thick of the race," coach Ed Rocha said.
Waiakea has 28 seniors on its squad of 68 and a veteran defense. "We have a young offensive line and we need to get more consistency in our spread offense," Rocha said.
• Fun fact: Tim Lino, who coached Waiakea to league championships in 1994, '95 and '96, is now a vice principal at Kealakehe.
