He helped seven different ball carriers combine for more than 2,700 yards rushing, allowed his quarterbacks to pass for 2,053 yards to 20 different receivers during the course of the season.

That is why Kahuku Red Raiders' offensive lineman Jeremy Perry is The Advertiser's selection as the Offensive Player of the Year.

"If one player means most to our success, it's him," Kahuku coach Siuaki Livai said. "Anybody can take a hand-off with the ball (on this team)."

For his steady play on defense, Kahuku linebacker Walker Vave was picked as the Defensive Player of the Year.

"He was always consistent off the football," Livai said. "He does whatever was asked of him. You can trust him to do what is asked. People looked up to him."

Both seniors were instrumental in leading Kahuku to a 14-0 season and third overall Division I state football title.

Wendell Say, who led 'Aiea to the first Division II state title, was named Coach of the Year.

Perry, who is 6 feet 3 and 290 pounds, was a utility player on the line. He could play center, guard and tackle — sometimes during the same offensive series.

"He dominated everybody," said Livai. "He's the best we've had."

That is high praise considering who has been on the Red Raiders' line in the past. Chris Naeole (1991) and Toniu Fonoti (1998) are former Red Raiders offensive linemen who were all-state selections. Both play in the NFL.

"What I like about Perry is his aggressiveness and will to dominate his opponent," said former UH offensive lineman Brian Derby, who was among those consulted to evaluate offensive linemen. "He has defensive linemen aggressiveness in an offensive lineman body. He has good feet that keep moving."

Other high school coaches described Perry as an aggressive blocker, one who would finish off the player he was blocking.

"I liked his tenacity," Farrington coach Randall Okimoto said.

Defensive leader

Vave anchored a defense that allowed fewer than eight points per game. The Red Raiders recorded five shutouts, including a 6-0 win against Kailua for the O'ahu Interscholastic Association championship. In 14 games, Kahuku allowed an average of 156.9 yards per game.

Joining Perry and Vave on the all-state first-team from Kahuku were: receiver Spencer Hafoka, defensive lineman Shosei Yamauchi and defensive backs Afa Garrigan, Al Afalava and Toriano Taulogo.

Taulogo also was considered for Defensive Player of the Year honors. Besides playing well in the secondary, he proved to be one of the most dangerous punt returners. He had punt returns for touchdowns in the quarterfinals against Kaua'i and the semifinals against Farrington. Of course, his most memorable return was for 62 yards to set up the game-winning touchdown in Kahuku's 27-26 heart-thumping state title game victory against Saint Louis.

Saints march with seven

State runner-up Saint Louis also had seven first-team selections. Running back B.J. Batts, last year's Offensive Player of the Year, was multi-dimensional asset for the Crusaders. He rushed for 889 yards on 155 carries with 10 touchdowns and caught 15 passes for 91 yards. He also returned kicks and punts.

Joining Batts from Saint Louis were receivers Desmond Hanohano and Shaun Kauleinamoku, offensive lineman Bronson Carvalho, defensive lineman Tavita Thompson, linebacker Dylan Moss and defensive back Keao Monteilh.

Division II champs have two

Division II state champion 'Aiea had two first-team picks in punter/kicker Brandon Puckett and all-purpose player Ben Ah Mook Sang. Puckett was second on his team in scoring with 56 points from 32 PATs and eight field goals, including a career-best 49-yarder in the semifinals against Lahainaluna.

Ah Mook Sang accounted for 1,171 yards in different phases of the game. Primarily a receiver, he had 68 catches for 781 yards and seven TDs. As a quarterback, he completed 12 of 21 passes for 198 yards and three TDs. He also rushed for 192 yards and two TDs, either as a quarterback or receiver. He also returned kicks and played defensive back on occasion.

Rest of the best

Other first-team picks on offense:

Quarterback Abel Werner of McKinley was the most consistent and most versatile among the candidates. He was the only one to combine a passing and running threat in one package. He rushed the ball 107 times for 401 yards and six TDs, while completing 119 of 226 passes for 1,714 yards and 18 TDs. Coaches said his improved running ability made him difficult to defend. He has been a starter since his sophomore year.

Farrington running back Matt Bell is a repeat selection. Whereas last year he was selected primarily for his rushing performance, this time he displayed versatility. He rushed for 1,203 yards and 14 TDs, while catching 51 passes for 742 yards and five TDs. His receiving yards came as he lined up as a back, but motioned into a receiver before the snap. He also played linebacker, free safety, punter, field goal kicker and kick-off kicker.

Other offensive linemen picked were Kamehameha's Brennan Carvalho, Bronson's brother; Kailua's Kea Crowell and Mililani's Sene Ma'afala.

Only three other players not from Kahuku or Saint Louis round out the defense.

Defensive linemen Soane Sevelo of Division II runner-up Damien and David Veikune of Campbell join repeat pick Blaze Soares of Castle. Soares is a junior.

Multitaskers

Two other players were selected as all-purpose with Ah Mook Sang.

Baldwin's J.J. Eno played receiver and defensive back, as well as on special teams. He had 41 receptions for 479 yards and three touchdowns. He also returned four punts for TDs, two in a crucial win against Maui. He led his team with 88 points from 24 PATs, two 2-point conversions and six field goals.

In an era of passing, Kapolei's Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada was the most dangerous option quarterback in the state. He rushed for 629 yards and 11 TDs, while passing for 316 yards and one TD. When he wasn't the quarterback, he caught 16 passes for 335 yards and four TDs.

Selection process

Coaches from each league were consulted, but did not have a vote, in our selection of the all-state teams. Opinions varied as coaches were more knowledgeable of their own leagues or divisions. Sources who follow the high school game but not affiliated with teams also were consulted.

There are some selections that are not consistent with the coaches' selections of the league all-stars. Because coaches sometimes disagree with their own league selections, those picks have little bearing on The Advertiser's.

In a season in which there were a number of viable candidates for Offensive Player of the Year, none really placed himself significantly over the other.

Kahuku's high-powered offense was so deep that no one skill position player was a dominant force. The running backs and receivers shared the load. That's why an offensive lineman leads the way.

"The real skilled guys are the offensive linemen," Derby said. "(They) have to pull, run block, zone block, scoop, pass protect."

Perry is not the first offensive lineman to get one of the top honors on The Advertiser's All-State teams. In 1992, Saint Louis offensive lineman Tasi Malepeai was the Lineman of the Year.

Also, Livai noted that most of Hawai'i's NFL players are offensive linemen, such as Olin Kreutz, Dominic Raiola, Toniu Fonoti, Chris Naeole and Makoa Freitas, to name a few.