Michael Kopra
The stats and stories were almost too good to believe. Hawai'i Prep senior Michael Kopra was said to be the Big Island's best football player on offense and defense, plus he kicked extra points and field goals and punted.
When Ka Makani came to O'ahu for the Division II first round and semifinals, he made believers out of everyone. Playing fullback, Kopra rushed for 184 yards and accounted for 35 points in a shocking 41-16 victory over Waipahu, then had a courageous two-way-plus special-teams performance in a semifinal loss to Iolani while fighting illness and a quadriceps injury.
When a reporter mentioned his illness and injury, Kopra shrugged and said, "Those would be excuses, and I don't like to make excuses."
Football, soccer Grade-point average: 3.5 College: Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
When not doing everything in football, Kopra was an all-league soccer player and carried a 3.5 grade-point average. He will attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and already has been accepted into its architecture program.
Hawai'i Prep
