The third time was the charm for Kamehameha's David Stant.

In his third season at the helm, Stant guided the Warriors to the Division I state football championship. His colleagues selected him as The Advertiser's Coach of the Year.

Coaches can appreciate the faith and trust Stant had in a team that was still searching for its starting quarterback early in the season. A loss to 'Iolani to open the Warriors' Interscholastic League of Ho-nolulu season could have been disastrous. It turned out to be their only setback of the season.

"It could've derailed them," Kaimuki rookie coach Clint Onigama said. "But it made them stronger."

After that loss, Stant chose senior quarterback T.C. Campbell to run the offense. Stant was patient in allowing Campbell to grow into his role. By the most crucial games of the season, Campbell reached his potential, turning in his best performances in the ILH title-clinching win against Punahou and state tournament wins against Leilehua in the semifinals and Kahuku in the championship.

Stant trusted that his defense would keep the game in order. He put together a collection of athletes who could stop opponents' playmakers and make big plays.

Because of his trust in the defense, Stant also was able to use his offensive weapons wisely. In games against Division II opponents, he was quick to give his skill players early breathers to keep them fresh for crucial and physical games against Division I foes. Running back Ryan Ho's top three games came twice against Punahou and once against Saint Louis.

"He did a good job of sticking to the things he wanted to implement," Farrington coach Randall Okimoto said.

"He blended well with the kids," Saint Louis coach John Hao added. "He gained the trust of his players."

When the Warriors got to the state tournament, they were at their peak. They limited Leilehua quarterback Andrew Manley to 120 passing yards, his lowest output of the season, and shut him out in TD passes for the only time this season. They rolled up 34 points against a Kahuku defense that was Kamehameha's equivalent in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association.

"His defense was outstanding," Kapolei coach Darren Hernandez said. "They dominated the whole Leilehua game and three-fourths of the Kahuku game."

Kahuku's Reggie Torres also received consideration for Coach of the Year.