Second state tourney adds intrigue to BIIF
By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
The advent of the Division II state football tournament has created two races in the nine-team Big Island Interscholastic Federation, which kicks off the regular season this weekend.
And that suits some teams just fine.
"It's a great opportunity for us," Konawaena coach Todd Brown said. "Our school size is under 900 (enrollment). We used to have the numbers, but they have kind of dropped off. Realistically, winning Division I would be hard for us. Division II is something we can shoot for. It's in the realm of possibility."
Regardless of classification, the league still plays a round robin and records are reflected in the league standings. But the three Division I teams with the best records advance to one playoff, while the top three Division II teams advance to another. The top team in each in playoff draws a bye the first week and plays the winner of the first-round game. The division winners advance to their respective state tournaments.
Coaches see Hilo and Kealakehe as favorites in Division I and Hawai'i Prep and Konawaena in Division II. Hawai'i Prep is the defending BIIF champion and Konawaena once dominated the league with titles from 1980 until 1991, when it shared the crown with Waiakea.
"There are five teams in Division II and one or two of them could play Division I," said Kohala coach Beldon Kealoha, referring to Hawai'i Prep and Konawaena.
But even if HPA finishes with the best record after the round robin, it will still play in the Division II playoff and can qualify only for the Division II state tournament, BIIF executive secretary Roy Fujimoto said. The league will crown Division I and II champions, like the O'ahu Interscholastic Association.
Kealakehe, which compiled the best regular-season record before losing to HPA in the title game last season, feels it will be back in the hunt.
"We have our best offensive line since I've been here," coach Sam Papalii said. "We have four returning starters."
Hilo coach Albert Kawelu Jr. said his team has depth to withstand the challenge. "(After the starters), there's not far of a drop-off," he said.
Also predetermined as Division I are Kea'au and Waiakea.
Waiakea fell to 1-8 last year after winning the BIIF the previous season. "We're going to get a lot of respect," coach Ed Rocha said.
Besides Konawaena, HPA likes its chances in Division II.
"We have a shot," coach Tom Goodspeed said. "Konawaena went small (Division II) too and they're going to be tough this year."
The BIIF also welcomes back Ka'u, which returns after sitting out the past two seasons because of a lack of players. Coach Don Sakata said he has 38 this season.
"This is an historical team," he said. "Before we had no more than one 6-footer. Now, we have four or five of them."
NOTE: HPA offensive lineman Max Unger, a 6-foot-5, 275-pound senior, has verbally committed to Oregon, HPA athletic director Stephen Perry said.
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BIIF FOOTBALL
Hawai'i Prep Academy Ka Makani
COACH: Tom Goodspeed, 5th season (26-18)
2002: 8-4, BIIF champions
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
- QB/CB Mau'ae Purdy IV (5-10, 180, Sr.)
- FB/LB Leighton Hind IV (5-10, 180, Sr.)
- LB/K Michael Kopra (5-10, 170, Jr.)
- TE/DE Andrew Queen (6-2, 200, Jr.)
- OL/DL Micah Stevens (5-10, 240, Sr.)
- OL/DL Daniel Nesheim (6-2, 225, Jr.)
- OL/DL Max Unger (6-5, 275, Sr.)
Hilo Vikings
COACH: Albert Kawelu Jr., 8th season (37-37-2).
2002: 7-4
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
- QB Matt Haasenritter (6-2, 170, Sr.)
- T Abe Medeiros (6-5, 270, Sr.)
- TB Royden Nabarro (5-6, 150, Jr.)
- WR Shawn Dearing (6-1, 160, Jr.)
- MLB Nui Spikes (6-1, 240, Sr.)
- SS Zane Thomas (5-8, 180, Sr.)
- DT Thomas Tamangedad (5-10, 250, Sr.)
Honoka'a Dragons
COACH: Paul Purdy, 3rd season (6-13)
2002: 2-7
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
- QB Kinau Puhi (6-1, 180, Sr.)
- RB Brian Ayaso (5-6, 150, Sr.)
- RB Kaneala Ablao (5-7, 160, Sr.)
- WR/DB Pono Kahanui (6-3, 220, Sr.)
- C Isiah Stevens (6-0, 235, Sr.)
- G Kaneala Kaha (5-11, 250, Sr.)
- T Kaipo Nobriga (6-5, 375, Sr.)
- DB Kapono Gacayan (5-8, 150, Sr.)
- LB Kelcy Kanekoa (5-11, 220, Sr.)
- LB Kaulana Ha'o (5-10, 180, Sr.)
- DE Mickey DeRego (5-9, 170, Sr.)
Ka'u Trojans
COACH: Don Sakata, 2nd season (coached in 1997)
2002: Did not participate
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
- WR/S Clarence Alcoran (6-4, 180, Sr.)
- TB Donovan Hashimoto (5-6, 140, Sr.)
- QB/DB Talan Rosam (6-0, 180, Sr.)
- RB/DB Lance Ako (6-0, 145, Jr.)
- TE/DE Curtis Alcoran (6-1, 185, Jr.)
- OL/DL Kaipo Emmsley (5-11, 245, Jr.)
- LB/RB Titus Medeiros (5-9, 170, So.)
- RB/LB Kimo Dacalio (5-5, 155, Sr.)
Kea'au Cougars
COACH: Keliko Iopa, 1st season
2002: 2-6
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Not available; no response to messages left at school.
Kealakehe Waveriders
COACH: Sam Papalii, 3rd season (14-6-1)
2002: 8-4
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
- RB Thomas Kamoku (5-11, 190, Sr.)
- S Justin Santana (5-10, 165, Sr.)
- WR Jared Ursua (5-11, 175, Sr.)
- QB Michael Kaniho (6-0, 200, Sr.)
- SB Jinho Tohara (5-4, 145, Jr.)
- CB Jonathan Kang (5-6, 155, Sr.)
- DE Bo Montgomery (6-3, 245, Jr.)
- S Tai Papalii (5-10, 165, So.)
- LB Tyson Vea (5-6, 155, Sr.)
- WR Adam Palacat (5-10, 150, Sr.)
- WR Aikane Pavitt (6-0, 175, Sr.)
- CB Micah Pada (5-9, 165, Jr.)
- MLB Thomas de Jesus (6-0, 220, So.)
- DT David Kanehailua (5-10, 250, Jr.)
- DT Kayson DeSilva (5-10, 250, Jr.)
- DE Ty Widhalm (6-0, 175, Sr.)
- T Hinano Lino (6-2, 275, Sr.)
- T Sam Lightner (6-4, 260, Sr.)
- DL Darrell Ho Chee (6-1, 215, Sr.)
- C Kamu Walker (6-3, 230, Jr.)
- G Morgan Leleiwi (6-0, 275, Sr.)
- G Samiu Faleofa (6-2, 300, Sr.)
- MLB Bubby Soares (5-11, 245, Sr.)
- WR Nainoa Depontes (6-0, 180, Sr.)
Kohala Cowboys
COACH: Beldon Kealoha, 5th season (8-30)
2002: 1-7
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
- FB/LB Kaipo Cabrera (5-8, 195, Jr.)
- RB/LB Koa Perez (5-8, 165, Jr.)
- DB Josh Argel (5-7, 145, So.)
- DB Chris Anjo (5-11, 150, Sr.)
- RB/DB Russell Cabingas (5-3, 145, Sr.)
- ILB/SB Jared Pasalo (5-9, 165, Sr.)
- NG Shaun Matsuo (5-8, 200, Sr.)
- QB/DB Cameron Kawai (5-7, 160, Jr.)
- MLB Blaine Hoopai (5-8, 175, Sr.)
- G Nick Derasin (5-10, 220, Sr.)
- C Puakaua Kealoha (5-11, 230, So.)
- T John Kuhaiki (6-5, 310, Sr.)
- OT/DT Jake Acorda (6-1, 235, Sr.)
- G/DT Robbie Manoske (5-11, 220, Sr.)
- WR/DB Tyson Reyes (5-8, 160, So.)
- DE Doug Sanchez (6-1, 165, Sr.)
- DB/WR Rudy Roquemore (5-10, 160, Jr.)
- DB/WR Ryan Brannigan (5-8, 160, Sr.)
Konawaena Wildcats
COACH: Todd Brown, 2nd season (7-4)
2002: 7-4
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
- QB Jefferson Huihui (5-8, 160, Sr.)
- RB Daniel Libre (5-8, 160, Sr.)
- RB Paul Maile (5-7, 165, Sr.)
- SS Keahi Reyes (5-8, 140, Sr.)
- FS Daniel DeMello (6-1, 180, Sr.)
- FB David Anderson (5-9, 180, Jr.)
- OLB Kaimana Llanes (5-6, 208, Sr.)
- TE/MLB Frank Cantiberos (5-8, 190, Sr.)
- DT Andy Fukafuka (5-7, 210, Sr.)
- ILB Mark Kamoku (5-8, 220, Sr.)
- NG Mahe Matsuoka (5-8, 160, Sr.)
- T Kyle Akeo (5-9, 253, Sr.)
- G Jonathan Taetuna-Fautanu (5-9, 200, Sr.)
Waiakea Warriors
COACH: Ed Rocha, 5th season (20-21)
2002: 1-8
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
- WR Keola Simeona (5-9, 150, Sr.)
- RB Shannon Kaleo (5-9, 140, Jr.)
- WR David Doll (5-11, 160, Sr.)
- QB Troy Milhoan (5-11, 160, Sr.)
- CB Kamahele Rojo (5-4, 150, Sr.)
- DB Sean Soriano (5-9, 155, Sr.)
- MLB Aaron Azevedo (6-2, 250, So.)
- G Russel Botelho (6-2, 210, Sr.)
- T Kaipo Sarbauda-Tavares (5-7, 260, Jr.)
- NG Shane Hanohano (6-0, 3-5, Jr.)
- DE Thomas Cowell (6-2, 215, Sr.)
Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8042.
