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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Thursday, December 18, 2003

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
Kapolei, 'Aiea, Radford seniors chosen top players

 •  First & second teams
 •  Team players

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

Kapolei's Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada (top) left, and 'Aiea's Ben Ah Mook Sang (above) share Offensive Player of the Year honors while Radford's Lino Kakiva (left) was Defensive Player of the Year.


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Can't find him on the first team. Can't find him on the second team.

Yet, Kapolei's Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada wound up sharing O'ahu Interscholastic Association White Conference Offensive Player of the Year honors with 'Aiea's Ben Ah Mook Sang.

Radford linebacker Lino Kakiva was chosen the Defensive Player of the Year.

Kaiser's David Maeva and Radford's rookie coach Fred Salanoa were named co-Coaches of the Year.

The White Conference's coaches selected the top players and all-star teams.

Kaheaku-Enhada, who played quarterback and receiver, might not have played enough at each position to accumulate statistics to surpass those chosen ahead of him. But none might have had the impact he had on a game.

Kapolei coach Darren Hernandez does not recall a league player of the year not making the first or second teams for all-star selections. But he is pleased the coaches recognized Kaheaku-Enhada's value to the Hurricanes.

"I'm happy they respected his ability," Hernandez said.

The 6-foot-1, 185-pound senior scored 10 of his team-leading 15 touchdowns in his last four games of the season. He was second on his team in rushing with 629 yards and 11 touchdowns; second on the club in receiving with 335 yards from 16 receptions, including four TDs; and completed 27 of 50 passes for 316 yards and one TD.

"He can play anywhere," Hernandez said. "Safety, receiver, quarterback. His arm is not that accurate because we ask him to run. But he can throw the ball 60 yards in the air. He's as close you can get to Michael Vick in high school."

Ah Mook Sang was just as valuable to 'Aiea. The 5-8, 170-pound senior played the same positions as Kaheaku-Enhada, but mostly as a receiver, where he was selected on the first team. But when Na Ali'i needed to control the ball, Ah Mook Sang took over at quarterback because of his rushing ability.

"One of his biggest strengths is his knowledge of the game," 'Aiea coach Wendell Say said. "He's always focused on the game. HIs leadership is unquestionable. He did what he had to do for the team."

Ah Mook Sang led his team with 68 receptions for 781 yards and seven TDs; rushed 42 times for 192 yards and two TDs; and completed 12 of 21 passes for 198 yards and three TDs.

Kakiva, an outside linebacker for the Rams, comes from a family of athletes. He has two brothers on the team, Lincoln, a first-team pick at offensive line, and Lehi, also a lineman. Their uncle is their coach.

"He's had some rough first years of school," Salanoa said. "He's my nephew and I kind of talked to him on a one-on-one basis. I said, 'Let's turn this into something positive, do things on the field (instead of getting into trouble).

"He was around the ball a lot, using his speed to his advantage."

Kapolei led the White with eight first-team selections. Joining Kaheaku-Enhada are running back John Dela Rama, offensive lineman Ikaika Aken-Moleta, defensive backs Kainoa Enhada and Roland Mason, linebacker Drake Kula, defensive lineman Warren Simanu and kicker Kerisiano Tuaniga.

Besides Ah Mook Sang, 'Aiea placed offensive lineman Sterling Ohia, linebacker Lawrence Leovao, defensive lineman Rocky Savaiigaea and kicker Brandon Puckett, a senior soccer player who played football for the first time this season.

Radford had three other selections joining the Kakivas: receiver Sunny Belcher, defensive back Jordan Rellin and defensive lineman Russell Wantowski.

Kaiser had four representatives on the first team in quarterback Steven Pratt, receiver Matt Ching, offensive lineman Chauncey St. Laurent and defensive back Chris Assily.

Other first-team picks are Kalaheo running back Jacobe Akiu, Waialua offensive lineman Travis Siu and Waialua linebacker Justin Barit.

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