Seven ballcarriers amass 1,639 yards, 27 touchdowns

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

Dustin Huddy is part of a Kahuku running back stable that brings both power and speed to the offense, and also includes Hyrum Moors, Paea Vaimoui, Cy Naki, Darren Magalolo, Manu Ngatikaura and Michael Garcia. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser This week's football games Big Island Interscholastic Federation Tomorrow Division I tournament Waiakea vs. Hilo at Wong Stadium, 7 p.m. Bye—Kealakehe Winner plays at Kealakehe Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. Division II tournament Honoka'a at Konawaena, 7 p.m. Bye—Hawai'i Prep Winner plays at HPA Nov. 15 at 2 p.m. Maui Interscholastic League Tomorrow Baldwin vs. Maui at War Memorial Stadium, 7:30 p.m. Saturday Lahainaluna at King Kekaulike, 7:30 p.m. Bye—Pac-Three O'ahu Interscholastic Association Tomorrow Division I tournament At Aloha Stadium Third place Farrington vs. Mililani, 5 p.m. Championship Kailua vs. Kahuku, 7:30 p.m. Interscholastic League of Honolulu and Kaua'i Interscholastic Federation are finished.

And on the next play, it could be a 5-10, 220-pound fireplug who can run over defenders or at least shake loose tacklers by the wayside.

And the play after that, it could be a 5-10, 165-pound speedster who will run short pass routes out of the backfield and turn a simple screen pass into a 30-yard gain.

And the play after that ...

The Red Raiders' running game has not been based just on one player, but seven: seniors Darren Magalolo (5 feet 8, 175 pounds), Michael Garcia (5-10, 165), Cy Naki (5-10, 220), Paea Vaimoui (5-11, 200), Manu Ngatikaura (5-9, 180) and Dustin Huddy (5-7, 165), and sophomore Hyrum Moors (5-11, 175).

Individually, none has reached the 500-yard plateau in nine regular and postseason games, but collectively they have combined for 1,639 yards and 27 touchdowns.

(Fullback Simote Vea started the first eight games and rushed for 87 yards on 17 carries, but has missed the past two games with injury and is doubtful for tomorrow's game).

"Every team might have four or five running backs, but they're usually at different levels," Kahuku coach Siuaki Livai said. "We try to coach all of our guys to be at the same level, so we can trust any of them to be in the game at any time. We have (seven), and it's good when you can turn 'em all loose."

Ironically, the Red Raiders' two leading rushers — Moors (467 yards, 9 touchdowns) and Huddy (428, 5) — have the least experience of the seven.

"Hyrum only played one year of JV, and this is Dustin's first year on the varsity, too," Livai said. "We've had to coach them up to this level."

Of course, the coaches also might have to bring some egos down in these situations. After all, there is only one football to share and only so many offensive plays during a game.

Vaimoui and Ngatikaura might have sacrificed the most, having been part-time starters last season.

"It's kinda junk," Vaimoui admitted. "But now, every time you carry the ball, you have to make it count and make something of it. It motivates you to work harder."

Ngatikaura agreed.

"Whoever works the hardest in practice probably will get the most (carries)," he said. "It's hard to pick just one when all of us are about the same. It is disappointing for us because we played a lot last year, but whatever works for the team ... as long as we're winning, that's what counts."

The formula has worked brilliantly, as Kahuku always has a fresh pair of legs to run behind its massive and mobile offensive line. And the fact that the seven running backs present different styles poses more problems for defenses.

"Basically, whoever is carrying the ball, we gotta get to 'em and tackle 'em," Kailua coach Darren Johnson said. "But they all bring a different package, and they're O-line must be doing something good, too, if they're all gaining yards. But Kahuku always has good running backs and good athletes everywhere."

In addition to their explosive running game, the Red Raiders also have a dangerous passing attack led by quarterback Waika Carvalho (1,334 yards, 15 TDs) and receiver Spencer Hafoka (27 catches, 688 yards, 6 TDs).

Oh, and Carvalho also has rushed for 294 yards on a team-high 55 carries, making opportunities even more scarce for the running backs. Maybe that's why they collectively average 7.9 yards per carry.

"These guys are all hungry," Livai said.

But as hungry as they are for carries, the Kahuku players are starved for the OIA title that eluded them last year after four straight championships from 1998-2002.

"Usually we're good at running, but this year we're good passing and running," Vaimoui said. "If we win, it's all going to be worth it."

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2456.