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Some powerhouses lose a king’s ransom of talent.
Some powerhouses simply reload.
Waianae? Things could be better. Things could be worse. Repeating last year’s run — reaching the HHSAA state semifinal round in the Open Division — was an impressive feat. The graduation of 30 players, including 15 starters, is a mountain of a challenge for any program.
“Our guys know individualism isn’t going to help us,” third-year head coach Walter Young said. “Everything is from the team aspect. They’re understanding that we win, lose, draw as a team. Through adversity, we’ll be resilient and do what we need to do.”
The now feels a lot better than the recent past. It was a bit of a dramatic offseason in Searider country.
“It was a pretty high chance of me leaving (to Nevada) for more exposure, and the competition is faster,” senior running back Rico Rosario said.
Not long after Rosario’s announcement, he changed his mind. The 5-foot-9, 200-pound bruiser is a classic case of a skill-position player in the islands who has the statistics — 1,453 yards and 17 touchdowns from scrimmage as a junior — but not much attention from college recruiters. At this point, he has offers from Dixie State and Adams State. He is carrying a 3.0 grade-point average and is on the bubble for NCAA Clearinghouse qualification.
Waianae’s top returnees on defense, all-state defensive end Kana‘i Mauga and middle linebacker Toto Mailo, are on a similar route. Mauga is a 3.2 student who is also close to qualifying. He has racked up double-digit scholarship offers, including USC.
“I’m very surprised. I came into this year not knowing what to expect. The offers have been such a blessing,” Mauga said. “No matter how intelligent you think you are, it’s always better to study. My mom and dad want me to be successful in life. Everybody’s been pushing hard in the weight room to get better.”
Mailo, a compact middle linebacker with a 3.5 GPA, has one offer: Virginia Union.
Waianae has just seven returning starters, but also has 34 returnees. The Seariders are counting on their defense.
“Toto leads by example. He might be overlooked, but he’s a three-year starter and he holds up the middle for us,” Young said. “Kana‘i, we’ll put him where he fits best. He’s a great talent, so if we have to move him around we’ll utilize what he brings. He’s comfortable wherever you put him. He just wants to compete every day, 110 percent.”
The Seariders are also depending on senior defensive tackle Andrew Paese and senior defensive back Seireadan Sana.
The offensive line, normally a cornerstone, has just one returning starter: Wilson Kerisano, a senior. All-state blocker Onesimus Lutu-Clarke (Oregon State) graduated.
“The difference now is we’ve got to work together more this year than we did last year. Last year’s O-line was strong, so we’ve got to work together more,” Rosario said. “I trust them. Those are my brothers who will be on the field next to me, so I trust them. We’ve just got to go out there and do our thing. Just ball.”
In the rugged path of OIA Division I football, the Seariders will need Rosario to stay healthy. Last season, he did not have more than 16 carries in a game until Oct. 15. That was the 10th game on the schedule.
That was the blessing of the system, a blend of smashmouth and misdirection behind an experienced line with a veteran QB. The challenge for the young blockers up front — and new starters at receiver and quarterback — is here.
“It’s hard to predict, but we’ll get up there,” Mauga said. “It’s part of the process and it’s going to be great.”
No. 5 Waianae Seariders
2017 SCHEDULE
>> Aug. 4: Saint Louis, 6:30 p.m.
>> Aug. 12: Kapolei, 6:30 p.m.
>> Aug. 18: Kahuku, 7:30 p.m.
>> Aug. 25: Campbell, 7:30 p.m.
>> Sept. 2: Moanalua, 6:30 p.m. *
>> Sept. 9: Radford, 6:30 p.m.
>> Sept. 22: Aiea, 7:30 p.m.
>> Sept. 30: at Kaiser, 6:30 p.m.
* @ Ticky Vasconcellos Stadium
>> Head coach: Walter Young, third season, 18-9
>> Last year: 9-5 (5-2 OIA Blue); beat Kailua 41-12 in first round of OIA D-I playoffs, beat Mililani 36-33 in OIA quarterfinals, lost 38-0 to Kahuku in OIA semifinals, lost 27-15 to Kapolei in OIA third-place game, beat Farrington 14-8 in state Open Division first round, lost 42-7 in state Open Division semifinals
>> Key offensive returnees: Wilson Kerisano, Sr., OL; Rico Rosario. Sr., RB; Skyler Kaleiohi, Sr., RB; Atui Valu, Sr., TE
>> Key defensive returnees: Toto Mailo, Sr. LB; Kana‘i Mauga, Sr., LB/DE; Seireadan Sana, Sr., DB; Andrew Paese, Sr., DL
>> Seariders with Division I FBS college offers: Kana‘i Mauga, Sr., LB/DE
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