Saint Louis' Batts, Afoa players of the year
• Football All-Stars (graphic)
By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
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| Leading The Advertiser's All-State high school football team are Offensive Player of the Year B.J. Batts and Defensive Player of the Year Wilson Afoa, both of Saint Louis, and co-Coaches of the Year Saint Louis' Delbert Tengan and Castle's Nelson Maeda.
Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser TOP HONORS B.J. Batts Wilson Afoa Delbert Tengan Nelson Maeda |
For his versatility and ability to thrive in meaningful games, Saint Louis School's all-purpose player is The Advertiser's Offensive Player of the Year.
On the other side of the line of scrimmage was an unassuming, quiet athlete who simply made himself a better player through hard work. That would be Crusaders end Wilson Afoa, the Defensive Player of the Year.
For getting the maximum performance from their players while overcoming adversity, Castle's Nelson Maeda and Saint Louis' Delbert Tengan are the Coaches of the Year.
The 2002 All-State team was selected by The Advertiser staff with consultation from coaches.
Batts, a 5-foot-6, 163-pound junior, is one of two running backs selected for the first team. He split carries with Saint Louis' other talented running back Justin Cabansag, a second-team pick. But Batts also excelled at receiver and as a kick returner.
"The thing that makes B.J. so valuable is that he's versatile," Tengan said. "We can stick him in as receiver, running back, kick returner. And he's a threat at all three positions he plays."
Not since George Ornellas (1995 graduate) has a Saint Louis player been as versatile. Batts, whose initials stand for Barry Jr., played running back and receiver equally well. It is not an easy task in Saint Louis' run-and-shoot offense.
"In our scheme of things, the running back has to pass-protect and pick up the blitz, so he needs to learn that," Tengan said. "Our passing game is a lot of reading coverages and adjusting your routes off of that, so it's kind of two different animals. He's been able to pick up both sides and do a good job in both areas."
Batts played a pivotal role in the Crusaders' 34-15 win against Castle for the state title. He scored three touchdowns, including a tournament record 99-yard kickoff return.
Batts, or Cabansag for that matter, could have run up statistics comparable to the other backs around the state. Batts had 981 yards on 135 carries and 16 touchdowns. He also had 16 receptions for 132 yards and eight kickoff returns for 343 yards and two TDs.
At the outset of his career at Saint Louis, Afoa was overshadowed by stronger personalities. But he made himself a better player through hard work.
"Wilson Afoa is just a player with a great attitude, great work ethic," Tengan said. "I don't think he stood out athletically when he first came out to us. Because of his attitude and work ethic — and he's so coachable — he became the player he is today. Through his hard work and efforts, he was able to dominate on the defense."
Afoa had 51 tackles, 19 for lost yardage with 44 hurries and 6 1/2 sacks, a forced fumble and three defended passes.
The state champion Crusaders lead the 25-player first team with eight selections, the most of any other school. Joining Batts and Afoa are quarterback Bobby George, receiver Shane Butcher, offensive lineman Jeremy Inferrera, kicker Kaeo Adams, linebacker Timo Paepule and defensive back Jonah Lakatani.
Shining Knights
The state runner-up Knights had the next highest representation with six selections on the first team.
Much like Batts, the Knights were led by some versatile players. Jared Suzui and Ikaika Ho — both juniors — were reliable receivers and defensive backs, as well as dangerous returners on kicks.
Offensive lineman Jonah Navarro also spent time on the defensive line. He is a rare breed among linemen these days; he is one of the few true linemen who does long-snapping duty.
Castle's defense is represented on the first team with lineman Soli Lefiti and linebackers Cory Daniel and Blaze Soares, the youngest selection being the sole sophomore.
Kamehameha, the ILH runner-up, had three selections in offensive lineman R.J. Willing, receiver Keoni Ruth and defensive back Kekoa Smith. Ruth, a pro baseball prospect, is already signed to play baseball for the University of San Diego.
Farrington and McKinley had two picks each.
The Governors' representatives are running back Matt Bell and offensive lineman Michael Lafaele. Bell, a junior, is much like Batts, a versatile player who can run and catch.
The Tigers' picks are receiver Isaiah Iaea and defensive lineman Randy Faletoi.
Rounding out the first team are Kailua offensive lineman Xavier Ho'olulu, Kaimuki linebacker Daniel Tautofi, Kahuku defensive back Viliami Nauahi and Waimea defensive back Tyson Fernandez.
As for the coaches, Maeda and Tengan overcame adversity to reach the state final.
Maeda lost his wife last February to a malignant brain tumor. He took a team that had significant losses from graduation to the OIA and state tournaments. It wasn't an easy ride, as the Knights were 1-3 to start the season before winning nine of their last 11 games. The Knights' O'ahu Interscholastic Association championship was their first under Castle High; a previous title came in 1945, when the school was called Ben Parker.
Maeda deftly used his personnel to get maximum performances. During the regular season, a number of players, including quarterback Jacob Ramos, played both ways. When the postseason came, most of his players settled to just one side of the line of scrimmage so they could thrive in conditions where the competition was expected to be stronger.
Tengan's debut a success
Tengan's adversity was no fault of his own. He had the unenviable task of following the winningest coach in Hawai'i high school history in Cal Lee. And it took two tries to convince him to accept the position. Because of the program's success under Lee, all eyes were on Tengan, to see if he could be as successful.
Like Maeda, Tengan's team got off to a slow start at 2-2. The losses were consecutive to the nation's top-ranked team, De La Salle (Concord, Calif.), which still owns the nation's longest winning streak, and Kamehameha.
The Crusaders would win their final nine games — beating Kamehameha in consecutive weeks to win the ILH title — en route to their first state championship since 1999.
