Kamehameha gets a system overhaul

The Kamehameha Warriors have fielded some great defensive units in recent years.

Abu Ma‘afala, longtime college assistant coach and former California defensive lineman, arrives with a blueprint to continue the stingy defensive prowess. The 2002 Kamehameha graduate enters his first season as head coach with just four returning starters on defense.

“We’re a young, inexperienced football team. For some guys, it’s their first time under the big lights,” he said. “We’ll keep them calm and set the expectation. Then watch them grow.”

Ma‘afala is counting on stalwarts Andrew Aleki (6 feet 3, 225 pounds) and Nakoa Pauole (6-2, 270) to anchor the defense’s front seven. Pauole, like Aleki, has become a coveted prospect of college recruiters.

“Andrew can do it all. He can put his hand in the dirt. He can drop back in coverage. Use his pass rushing ability,” Ma‘afala said. “Nakoa can play the 3-technique. He’s done a great job of helping everyone get on the same page.”

Two more returning starters on defense are safeties Kamaehu Kamaka and William Ekolu Kau. The Warriors will miss the standout play of DL Alema Kapoi (Navy) and LB Tainoa Foster (Fresno State), but Ma‘afala, who also is the defensive coordinator, has an old-school approach.

“We’re running my system, just trying to teach it to our coaches,” he said. “Any coach worth his salt will tailor what he runs according to his players and personnel.”

The Warriors won’t hesitate to turn to uber-talented Adam Stack for points. The senior place-kicker/punter has already committed to Oregon.

“I was blessed to be a special teams coordinator the past five years,” Ma‘afala said of his time at West Liberty. “Man, a lot of coaches take special teams for granted. If you don’t have a guy like Adam, it changes everything. He’s a special talent.”

Offensively, there are seven players who saw at least some time as starters last season under then-head coach Doug Cosbie. That includes wide receivers Jaykob Cabunoc and Christopher Ah Mook Sang, running back Kanoa Shannon and offensive lineman Kalai Ortiz. OL Kale Akiu also is a key part of the wall up front.

Both Thomas “Boogie” Yam and Justice Young had many brilliant moments at quarterback.

“It’s an unbelievably good problem. Boogie and Justice bring two distinct flavors and they’re getting to think like us,” Ma‘afala said. “They’ve both earned the right to play.”

Yam’s 2015 season was cut short by an injury on a touchdown run against Saint Louis. Ma‘afala doesn’t intend to limit the mobility of each playmaker.

“Now it’s about making their progressions and reads, just getting consistent,” he said.

Ma‘afala also would love a ground-and-pound attack.

“That’s a lost art. You win in the trenches,” he said.