Safety Afalava reigns in Kahuku secondary

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

KAHUKU — While the rest of O'ahu enjoyed blue skies and sunshine Tuesday afternoon, a torrential downpour fell upon the Kahuku High School campus and again turned the soaked football field into an unplayable lie.

A leaping Al Afalava was in the right place at the right time as he defended this pass against Kaua'i in last season's state tournament. Advertiser library photo

Then it was classroom time to review film and go over strategy.

Not even an isolated downpour could dampen the unit's spirit, not with tomorrow's Division I state semifinal game against Leilehua looming large.

"We want to play good from the get-go," All-State safety Al Afalava said. "We have to be ready."

Thanks to Afalava and his fellow defenders, Kahuku (10-1) survived a 12-6 scare from Leilehua (10-2) three weeks ago in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association semifinals.

On a rainy night and with the Red Raiders' offense missing starting quarterback Bronson Ponciano-Ahue and running backs Micah Strickland and Malosi Te'o, it was up to the defense to come through. It did, stopping the Mules on fourth-and-1 from Kahuku's 45-yard line with 52 seconds left.

"I think we have the best defensive coaches in the state," said Afalava, a 6-foot-2, 190-pound senior. "Coach (Byron) Beatty, Coach Keala (Santiago), Coach Dave (Te'o), Coach Sean (Makaiau), Coach Kimo (Haiola) ... They discipline us and and push us all the way, and each week they make sure we don't take anyone lightly."

Beatty, a former Red Raider who was the 1986 OIA East Defensive Player of the Year, is the defensive coordinator and has been known to stay up until the wee hours on weekends watching game film. Then during the week, he and the aforementioned coaches plus assistants Fatu Fiso and Bebe Malufau will review the video with players.

"We watch the film and try to get a feel for what the other team will run," Afalava said. "We have to be totally focused when we watch. There's no talking, and if we get caught, we have to do 100 drops (sprawls)."

While quarterback, running back and receiver are the glory positions at most other schools, at Kahuku it is a matter of pride and privilege to play defense. Every season, head coach Siuaki Livai says that's where he puts some of his best athletes, which is mainly why Afalava switched after playing running back on the JV two years ago.

"He was running for four or five touchdowns every game," Livai said. "But in high school, the kids are so young, a lot of mistakes will happen on offense. The offense usually needs time to build. On defense, it's more react and instinct — you're always a step behind, so you need to react to what you see and make a play.

"We also don't want mismatches and you need to be aggressive, so that's why we want good athletes on defense. And these days, the way the game is, you need speed because so many offenses spread the field."

Afalava, who consistently runs a 4.5-second 40-yard dash, says he enjoys playing safety.

"I miss it (running the ball) kind of, but I'd rather hit somebody than get hit," he said.

Afalava said he has received scholarship offers from Oregon State and Brigham Young and has received interest from Colorado, Arizona State, Oregon, Washington and Hawai'i.

He said his options are "wide open" right now, although he does plan to serve a church mission after his freshman year.

Tomorrow, Afalava will head a defense that has allowed just 9.8 points and 170.7 yards per game against a Leilehua offense led by sophomore quarterback Bryant Moniz (2,472 yards passing, 24 touchdowns).

Defensive linemen B.J. Beatty and David Niumatalolo and linebacker Max Fairclough hope to apply pressure, while defensive backs Afalava, Tomasi Fuller and Mau-He Moala have the primary coverage responsibilities.

"I am amazed at (Moniz), how he makes things happen," Livai said. "It's not like the receivers are wide open, but he still squeezes the ball in there."

Last week, Moniz completed 20 of 36 passes without an interception for 188 yards and two touchdowns in a 28-7 first-round victory at Kealakehe despite playing with badly bruised ribs.

"It hurt, but like my mom said, it probably would have hurt me more if I didn't play," Moniz said.

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