OIA WHITE PREVIEW
Unlike last season, tight race expected
By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer
Last year, the Kapolei football team entered the O'ahu Interscholastic Association's White Conference season as the favorite and ran the regular-season table.
The Hurricanes went 7-0, out-scoring opponents 276-84.
If someone does the same thing this year, it will be a surprise to all eight coaches in the division.
"I told our team, 'You guys better be strapping it up and be ready to play every week,' " said Waipahu coach Sean Saturnio, whose Marauders are moving down from the OIA's Red (top tier) Conference. "Everybody's got a good team across the board and there's a lot of good coaches in this division. There won't be an easy week."
Radford coach Fred Salanoa, whose Rams made the White playoffs last season, agreed.
"The title is up for grabs," Salanoa said. "All seven games will be tough."
That sentiment was established last Friday when Kalani shocked Roosevelt, 21-19. The Falcons had lost 27 straight games dating to Sept. 22, 2000, but pulled off the upset against the Rough Riders of the OIA's Red Conference.
"I told our kids they better watch out," Salanoa said. "I said, 'You're going to have to bust your butts every week because this conference is not going to be a cake walk.' "
In a balanced division, some coaches have pointed to Campbell — which also was demoted from the Red — and Kaiser as teams that may have a slight edge.
Campbell lost to Wai'anae, 2-0, in its nonleague opener last week and Kaiser lost to 'Aiea, 20-14. Wai'anae and 'Aiea will be competing in the Red this season.
Campbell returns an outstanding receiver in Isaac Laupola and has a veteran quarterback in Shaye Asoau. Laupola caught 26 passes for 522 yards and six touchdowns last year en route to first-team All-Red Western Division honors.
Asoau was Kaimuki's starting quarterback last season.
The Sabers also return a standout athlete in Keali'i Basham, who has moved from running back to defensive end.
"This team has the potential to do really well," Campbell coach Tumoana Kennessey said. "We just have to eliminate our mistakes on offense and defense."
Kaiser has the most returnees of any team in the conference: eight on offense and seven on defense.
Senior quarterback Steven Pratt, however, has been recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered last basketball season and multi-purpose athlete Shannon Wise has been taking his place.
Wise also has been used as a defensive end, receiver and linebacker.
Henry Wassman, Rusty Laboy and Sheldon Herring anchor a veteran line.
Waipahu has seven starters back on offense, but suffered a key blow in the summer when starting quarterback John Cordeiro transferred to the Mainland.
Radford, Kalaheo, Moanalua and Waialua have young but talented lineups.
Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2456.
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Campbell Sabers
Coach: Tumoana Kenessey, 4th season (21-15, 2 postseason appearances)
2003: 2-6, 6th in Red West.
Players to watch: LB Preston A'ano, DE Jacob Achiu, QB Shaye Asoau, DE Keali'i Basham, S Chris Ganigan, OL Liulotu Gaui, WR Isaac Laupola, RB Anthony Shimizu.
Kaiser Cougars
Coach: David Maeda, 3rd season (6-10)
2003: 3-5, 5th in White
Players to watch: DL/LB Cameron Bell, LB Josh Chase, WR Matt Ching, DB Vincent Fong, OL/DL Sheldon Herring, DB Jonathan Ho, OL/DL Sonny Khamis, OL/DL Rusty Laboy, LB Jarryd Maeda, DB Evan Miller, DL Kyle Moniz, DL Juan Rodriguez, OL Henry Wassman, QB/DL Shannon Wise.
Kalani Falcons
Coach: Greg Taguchi, 6th season (two tenures, 13-26 overall)
2003: 0-7, 8th in White
Players to watch: LB/OL Mark Bonner, SB Carsen Chun, DL/RB Jared Diseria, DL/OL Todd Dooher, DL/OL Thomas Edel, DB/RB Cory Konishi, DB Brandon Liao, RB James Miyashiro, QB/DL Preston Pires, DB/RB Dusten Umeda.
Kalaheo Mustangs
Coach: Tony Tuioti, 2nd season (4-5)
2003: 4-5, 4th in White; eliminated in White semifinals
Players to watch: OL/DL Mike Andrews, WR/DB Willie Haile, WR/DL Toli Ilaoa, RB/DL Ebony Johnson, DB Marvin Judd, RB/DB Jerome Lucena, DB Sean Mulcahey, QB/DB David Pershin, WR/DB Nate Shields, WR/LB Koa Siliga, WR Devon Tawnsell.
Moanalua Menehunes
Coach: Arnold Martinez, 2nd season (2-6)
2003: 2-6, 6th in White
Players: SB Ben Crippen, WR Jon Estores, LB/FB Quinten Tang, S Brandon Tareyama, QB Stanford Leti, OLB Jason Mikami, SB Ricky Sierra, OL Ervin Smiley, ILB Landon Watanabe.
Radford Rams
Coach: Fred Salanoa, 2nd season (5-4, 1 postseason appearance)
2003: 5-4, 3rd in White; eliminated in White semifinals.
Players: OL Chad Afi, DB Stephen Baughn, QB Ryan Burciaga, RB Alex Daniels, OL Chris Espenshade, DL Vasa Kuresa, DB Trevor Maldon, OL Matthew Ortogero, DL Thor Salanoa, MLB Fili Samson, DL Hoku Tampos, WR Eric Venglar, LB Russell Wantowski.
Waialua Bulldogs
Coach: Lincoln Barit, 2nd season (1-7)
2003: 1-7, 7th in White
Players: WR Chris Ballesteros, QB Caleb Fore, LB Walter Fore, LB Alvin Foster, WR Jovi Lo, LB Justin Mangallan, S Jerrold McNulty, LB Derrick Nacario, LB Casey Onizuka, DT Shawyn Peiler, DB Mel Repollo, DE Matthew Rombawa.
Waipahu Marauders
Coach: Sean Saturnio, 3rd season (5-12, 1 postseason appearance)
2003: 1-7, 7th in Red West
Players: SB Stan Abasial, QB Austen Benito, WR Ricky Noble, SB Justin Quisano, RB/DL Krypton Taito, SB Anthony Vith.
