Posted on: Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Soares, Torres OIA East's best
| • | Offense and specialists |
| • | Defense and coach |
| • | Team rosters |
By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer
Kailua High School running back Damien Torres and Castle linebacker Blaze Soares began the O'ahu Interscholastic Association season as two of the Eastern Division's top returnees and ended it as the East's Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year, respectively.
Advertiser library photos Torres, who rushed for 1,359 yards and 14 touchdowns last season, was part of a tandem with Kekoa Su'a that was predicted to give opponents nightmares this year.
But Su'a suffered through injuries and missed one game while on a baseball trip, finishing the season with 365 yards — about one-third of last year's total. Also, the Surfriders' trademark offensive line struggled to find consistency after a change in coaching staff last spring.
"We were already in our fifth or sixth game and we still hadn't had the same offensive line play together (in consecutive weeks)," Kailua coach Gary Rosolowich said. "We weren't able to do as many things as we wanted because with the (coaching) transition, the learning curve turned out to be slow. Despite all these challenges, Damien had a presence in every game and at one point really became dominant."
Torres, 5 feet 8 and 179 pounds, made September a month to remember. He rushed for 216 yards and three touchdowns in a 36-24 victory over Roosevelt, gained 273 yards and scored three more TDs in a 29-28 loss to Castle and then had 238 yards and two touchdowns in a 20-20 tie with McKinley.
That's 727 yards and eight TDs in three games.
Torres finished with 1,266 yards and 11 touchdowns, averaging 8.5 yards per carry.
Soares, meanwhile, entered the season as a two-time Advertiser All-State selection. But he suffered a strained knee early on and missed two games.
Soares recovered well enough to finish strong and earn the East's top defensive honor.
"He's very deserving," Castle coach Nelson Maeda said. "He was literally all over the field and was a steadying force for us throughout the season, especially because we had so many other injuries. He's the prototype linebacker, with the right combination of speed, quickness, strength and football smarts.
"He also has a great passion for the game and made the commitment in the offseason. He did not miss a workout. He's not vocal, but he leads by example."
Soares was injured in the Kailua game, but Rosolowich had seen enough of him on film and in the first half.
"He has a nose for the ball and gives 100 percent," Rosolowich said. "He's a great player."
Kahuku placed running back Micah Strickland, receiver Spencer Hafoka, defensive lineman B.J. Beatty and three defensive backs: corners Tomasi Fuller and Mau-He Moala and safety Al Afalava.
Kailua had two other first-teamers besides Torres in offensive lineman Kainoa LaCount and linebacker Hogan Paleafei. Roosevelt was represented by three players — quarterback Rudy Artuyo, receiver Tui Richter and defensive back La'akea Moikeha.
Farrington (offensive lineman Shaun Lauvao and defensive lineman Luavalu Sagapolutele) and McKinley (offensive lineman Raphael Ieru and special teams player Chris Quiocho) each had two players selected.
Maeda was named Coach of the Year after leading injury-riddled Castle to a 7-4 record and into the OIA quarterfinals.
Selections were made upon coaches' recommendations.
Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2456.
But for both seniors, the journey proved to be tougher than expected.
Kailua back Damien Torres was named Offensive Player of the Year.
Castle — along with Kahuku — led the way with six players named to the East's All-Star first team, including Travis Paaga, who was named as an offensive and defensive lineman, and Keoni Gomes, who made it as an offensive lineman and linebacker. Other Knights on the first team are receiver Blaine Kobashigawa, kicker/punter Ethan Gonsalves and defensive lineman Victor Clore.
Castle linebacker Blaze Soares was chosen OIA East Defensive Player of the Year.
