Campbell's Laupola excels in all phases
By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
When you can run, catch and even throw the football as well as Isaac Laupola does, it's hard to keep him off the football field. Much to the dismay of Campbell High's opponents.
Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser
"That No. 44 is dangerous," said Kaua'i High coach Keli'i Morgado, referring to Laupola's jersey number.
Kaua'i High expects to see a lot of Campbell senior Isaac Laupola when they meet in a Division II state football tournament semifinal.
Morgado's Red Raiders will face the Sabers' multipurpose star when the teams meet in a Division II semifinal of the First Hawaiian Bank State Football Championships Friday at Moanalua High. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m.
First and foremost, Laupola is a receiver. Or is his true position cornerback? It's hard to tell because he plays both positions equally well.
"I get tired, but it's challenging and it's fun," Laupola said. "I'm hardly ever off the field. That's why I have to run hard at practice."
Laupola is the Sabers' primary receiver with 27 receptions for 622 yards and nine touchdowns. His catches account for more than half of the team's 53 receptions. He usually draws the defense's best cornerback.
Likewise on defense, Laupola is the cornerback who covers the offense's best receiver.ÊHe returned an interception 98 yards for a touchdown in a 45-0 win against Radford.
On special teams, Laupola had an 82-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in a 28-27 loss to Waipahu.
"He's a team player," Campbell coach Tumoana Kenessey said. "He'll play all the positions you want him to play. He works hard. I'm proud of how far he has come since his sophomore year."
When quarterback Shaye Asoau needed to be spelled from PAT duty, Laupola chipped in, converting four extra-point kicks.
Laupola's talent isn't limited to his speed, which he said was timed at 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash at a football camp over the summer. Laupola is 2 of 2 on option passes, both for TDs. He threw a critical one in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association White title game against Waipahu several weeks ago.
"I'm like the third-string quarterback," Laupola said.
Laupola's skills haven't gone unnoticed. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound senior said the University of Hawai'i has made him a scholarship offer to play one of the inside receiver positions in UH's run-and-shoot offense. He hasn't made a commitment, yet, because Utah, Colorado and Texas also are showing interest, he said.
Laupola, a sprinter in track, played basketball last year, but might go out for soccer after football ends. He said he wants to be a goalkeeper to help improve his hand-eye coordination for football.
The addition of Asoau, who played for Kaimuki last season, helped the Sabers exploit their fast receiver.
"He's helped a lot because he can throw," Laupola said of Asoau.
Asoau has been quietly efficient. He has thrown for 943 yards, but averages 11.8 per throw with 12 TDs to one interception, giving the Sabers some quick-strike capabilities.
But the Red Raiders have weapons of their own. Laupola will be defending a lot of passes at cornerback because Kaua'i likes to throw with Kekoa Crowell, who had five TD passes in last week's first-round win against Pac-Three. Crowell has passed for 1,656 yards and 18 TDs to 12 interceptions and averages 8.2 yards per throw.
His favorite receiver is Kevin Cadiente, who has 33 catches for 617 yards and 10 TDs. He is likely to draw coverage by Laupola.
Running back Niko Elvenia has been the main ball carrier of late, as he leads the team with 295 yards.
Crowell's and Elvenia's success starts up front.
"Their offensive line is explosive," Kenessey said. "They get off the line fast."
Meanwhile, Morgado said his defense must "swarm" the Sabers ball carriers.
"They have very tenacious running backs who fight for the extra yard," Morgado said.
Six Campbell running backs or slots have carried at least 29 times. Gregg Frink leads the bunch with 371 yards, while Isiah Smith is the busiest with a team-leading 53 rushes (for 367 yards).
The winner of this game plays for the Division II championship Dec. 4 against the winner of Saturday's Iolani-Hawai'i Prep game at Kunuiakea Athletic Stadium.
Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8042.
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