When 'Iolani School football player Lionel Fujioka makes a nice play, the loudest cheer he hears comes from within.

The Raiders' all-purpose player said his inspiration and his motivation come from his late mother, Sommai Fujioka.

"She's pretty much my adrenaline that keeps me going," Fujioka said. "Pregame, I always pray to her, ask her to watch over me and just help me, to be proud of me so I don't let her down."

The way Fujioka has been playing, she could only be proud. He is third in the state in receiving with 35 catches for 530 yards and six touchdowns.

But that's just part of his contributions for the Raiders. He also plays defensive back when 'Iolani uses its nickel package, returns punts and kickoffs, plays safety on the kickoffs (the last one between the returner and the end zone) and gunner when the Raiders punt.

"He gives us a lot of flexibility," 'Iolani coach Wendell Look said. "He complements a lot of things we do. He's a very heads-up player, knows what happening on offense. Doesn't get too much reps on defense, but because of his mental awareness, he's able to play defense well."

A DIFFERENT PATH

Fujioka is the youngest of five children, but the only one to attend private school. He had older brothers play sports at Kaiser and Kalani.

While playing Pop Warner football in Hawai'i Kai, Fujioka said his plan with his teammates was to go to Kaiser. But one of the team's coaches encouraged Fujioka to apply at private schools. So he applied at 'Iolani and Punahou during his eighth grade year at Niu Valley Middle. He was denied admission then and he said it was recommended to him that he repeat eighth grade at a smaller private school. So he attended Kaimuki Christian. He applied again and was accepted at the two private schools.

His mother, so proud, wanted him to attend 'Iolani. He is not sure why, but he was certain of her desire.

"I could tell," he said. "She had this bean bag bear that I guess she bought here (at 'Iolani) with an 'Iolani shirt on it."

Sadly, less than a month after learning her son was accepted to 'Iolani, she succumbed to lung cancer.

"She's been my motivation," he said.

FOR THE TEAM

His motivation has been channeled to the team. His goal is to help his team to the state Division II championship. The Raiders lead the Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division II with a 3-1 record (4-3 overall). They play Pac-Five at 5 p.m. Saturday at Aloha Stadium, the middle game of a tripleheader.

Although he the team's leader in receiving statistics, he said the receiving corp as a whole has been doing well. Ronnie Hirokawa has 30 catches for 383 yards and Reid Furukawa has 20 for 357 yards. Aaron Fong has 10 receptions for 140 yards. He said even backups like Kellen Imada and Jordan Nakamura are interchangeable with the starters.

He added that quarterback Kela Marciel's scrambling ability and his threat to run also helps the receivers get open.

IRONIC TWIST

A coach from a rival school also is proud of Fujioka's accomplishments.

The Pop Warner coach who encouraged him to apply to private schools was Dr. Darryl Kan, Punahou's offensive coordinator.

"I know he went through a real trying time," Kan said. "To see him succeed is really something great."

Fujioka had played some quarterback in Pop Warner, so Kan, whose son Brett was a three-year starting quarterback at Punahou, took an interest.

"He just had this knack for being able to make a key play right when he needed to make it," Kan recalled. "I knew that someday he would make a name for himself in high school and possibly beyond.

"He was a little bit small, but he's certainly proven that hasn't been an obstacle for him."

They still see each other often aside from when their schools meet.

"Funny thing is, he lives right down the street," Fujioka said of Kan. "I just thank him for getting me where I am because I wouldn't be where I am without him."

THE FUTURE

Fujioka doesn't know what's in his future. Besides football, he's an outfielder in baseball and a guard in basketball. At 5 feet 10 and 140 pounds, he is realistic about his goals.

"I honestly see my future is baseball, but I've been getting support from family, friends and coaches that I have a chance to play some football at the next level," he said. "Not like big time (Division I), but at some of the smaller schools."

For now, Fujioka's personal goal isn't a record or an accomplishment. It is much simpler.

"Just enjoy the game and do the best I can," he said. "Don't regret anything."

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.