It just needs to take a back seat right now.

The King Kekaulike High School football team made history for the Maui Interscholastic League and all of the Neighbor Islands last season by winning the Division II state crown.

But the last time coach J.W. Kenton checked the calendar, it's 2007.

"It is hard to be on top and finish the season as the top dog in the state in Division II and then the start of this new year. In their minds they are still top dogs, but it is a whole new year,'' Kenton said to The Maui News. "That is hard for young people to figure out.''

It is, however, a message that Kenton has been hammering home to his entire team as it prepares for Saturday's MIL opener against Maui High.

Kenton said his four captains — right tackle Emelio Liu, middle linebacker Daniel McKeague, outside linebacker Mike Douglas and quarterback Corry Roy — may be getting tired of hearing the message as they move into the Division I ranks of the MIL.

Each of the captains has his own reason for wanting to put 2006 in the rearview mirror, but Liu may be the one most ready to move forward.

A fourth-year varsity player, Liu missed most of last season after dislocating his right knee in the first drill of the first practice. He led the team in the traditional haka dance prior to every game and got back on to the field for a few plays in the state final, but now is the time for the 5-foot-11, 270-pound senior to shine. He will guard Roy's blind side.

"It is holding up pretty good,'' Liu said of his knee. "There is a little pain, but it'll be fine. It feels great to be back. I don't really like watching on the sidelines.''

Douglas and McKeague have moved into the defensive leadership role that was vacated by first-team MIL All-Star Randen Abafo, who is now playing college baseball.

After a 46-20 loss to Japanese spring champion Kwansei to begin this year's preseason, Na Ali'i looked better Friday night in a 51-36 loss to El Capitan, a powerhouse from the San Diego area.

"We haven't even become a team yet, we are still working through the troubles,'' McKeague said. "We just need to become a team. Coach keeps telling us to stop living in the past and just look to this season, look for all the good things. Most of the young guys who were on last year's team are like, 'Yeah, we are the state champs,' but that is only D-II. We have got to look to D-I. We are trying to win the MIL this year, so we've really got to work hard at practice.''

Douglas, who also plays some fullback, punts and kicks off, is a third-year starter and an unquestioned leader on the field.

"It is over, let's start a new season already,'' Douglas said. "We have to forget about the past and now we have got to try to do it again.''

Roy, the only junior among the captains, moves over from wide receiver to the quarterback slot manned so adeptly by the graduated Shelton Bangasan. Against Kwansai, Roy ran seven times for 64 yards and was 2-of-6 passing for 90 yards, including a 65-yard scoring throw to Taylor Rodrigues. Roy also fumbled three times at the end of option runs.

Against El Capitan, he was 6-for-15 for 100 yards with two interceptions and a touchdown. On the ground, he ran seven times for 51 yards and his only fumble came on a center exchange.

"It is a big challenge because everybody is expecting a lot, there's not too much pressure because I have got my team behind me,'' Roy said. "The seniors from last year are gone and people have to step up now for this year.''

Perhaps the biggest loss was the smallest of Na Ali'i last year – 5-4, 130-pound running back Shannon Kamakaokalani, who scored a league-record 20 touchdowns in 2006, was the MIL rushing leader and gained 2,000 all-purpose yards. He is now on the team at Santa Barbara (Calif.) City College.

The runners charged with making up for Kamakaokalani's absence could come by committee if the preseason is any indication. They include Edrian Dela Cruz and Makoa Aikala, a pair of juniors who each rushed for a combined 78 yards in the two games. Against El Capitan, Keola Williams and Rodrigues combined for 120 yards on the ground.

Five different players had at least 40 yards on the ground against El Capitan.

In his first year as head coach last season, Kenton did not select captains. This year is a different story.

"Typically I don't pick captains, but this year if I didn't I just feel like I would be waiting all year to see the leaders step up,'' Kenton said. "The four individuals I picked are all there for various reasons. So far, so good.''

Kekaulike's hybrid wing T offense averaged 301.7 yards per game last season, second in the MIL only to state Division-I semifinalist Baldwin's 340.2. Kenton would love to see more balance to the attack, which gained 81 percent of its yards on the ground. Na Ali'i's 3-5 base defense gave up 297.5 yards per game.

The largest of Na Ali'i, 6-2, 310-pound junior nose guard Sonny Ah Kui, is being touted by Kenton as an NCAA Division I prospect.

Kenton said his offensive line, led by Liu, is bigger than last season and overall there is more talent on the field. The challenge is to find it all before the MIL opener in six days.

Na Ali'i gelled down the stretch last season, when they lost to Baldwin 25-22 on the final play and then knocked Lahainaluna from playoff contention with a 21-21 tie. Those results helped King Kekaulike earn the No. 1 seed in the state playoffs, but that is history.

"The main challenge is to get their heads right, get them focused on 2007, forget 2006,'' Kenton said. "I have got to get them to be a family this year, just like they were last year. That is the hurdle that I am trying to jump over right at this moment.''