‘Iolani RB Ross decides not to play this season

It’s official for Raider nation.

Jordan Ross will not play football at ‘Iolani this season. The talented running back rushed for 729 yards (7.3 yards per attempt) and 10 touchdowns despite lingering injuries as a sophomore. But he indicated to Raiders coach Wendell Look in the spring that he would not return.

Preseason is here and he will be on campus as a student, but is not a football player anymore.

"He chose not to play. We were kind of surprised, but not really," Look said. "He had a lot of injuries last year. That was a concern. It was more of a family decision."

K.J. Pascua, a 5-foot-5, 157-pound sophomore, has edged into the role. Senior Storm Lotomau also lines up in ‘Iolani’s four-wide, single-back set. Tamatane Aga, who filled in and rushed for 367 yards and three touchdowns in relief of Ross last year, is also in the picture.

"There are opportunities now for the other guys to step up and the kids have done a solid job," Look said. "That’s how life is. You deal with what you can control. That’s always been our philosophy."

‘Iolani was 7-5 last season, losing to Kauai in the Division II state semifinals.