The brand-name programs more familiar at the state tournament, like ‘Iolani or Leilehua, are out of the picture. Waipahu is in the D-I title game for the first time after ousting ‘Iolani in the semifinal round.
Hilo, which returns to the D-I final as defending champion, was a model of old-school football in 2017, using a bruising ground attack and a typically stout defense to capture the Division I state championship.
With a majority of top performers now graduated, the Vikings could have slipped a notch or two in ’18. A nonconference loss at Campbell provided a spark that pushed Hilo (9-1) to another BIIF D-I title. The Vikes ousted Maui 35-24 in the semifinals two weeks ago.
“This year, we have a young team. They have a lot of energy,” Vikings coach Kaeo Drummondo said. “Too much sometimes, but that’s what you’re going to get. We’ve gotten a lot of experience, 10 games of game reps and learning from them.”
Waipahu coach Bryson Carvalho and staff have enjoyed seeing a relatively young group mold into an OIA champion. They limited ‘Iolani to 226 total yards in a 20-19 semifinal win.
“They have tenacity. A lot more rascal kids, but definitely hungry. They like to battle. When they’re together, they work very, very well together,” Carvalho said.
Waipahu isn’t quite a clone of Hilo, but their strengths are similar. The Marauders’ ground game, featuring Alfred Failauga, has been a mainstay. The defense, however, has elevated to new heights.
Hilo-Waipahu was supposed to be a preseason game. Circumstances changed and Hilo played Campbell of the Open Division and lost 54-14.
“The lessons from that game, what they learned, go a long way,” Drummondo said.
HILO OFFENSE
The constant has been in the trenches for Hilo.
“Lawaia Enos, Sione Holani, Kason Abadilla, Storm Kapeliela. Those four, for the most part, hold us down,” Hilo coach Kaeo Drummondo said.
In ’17, the Vikings paved the way with talented, athletic guards who could smashmouth or pull on any given play. The blueprint hasn’t changed entirely. Kaleo Ramos (730 rushing yards, five TDs) has spearheaded the ground attack. He rushed for 139 yards on 25 carries against Maui.
QB Kyan Miyasato has passed for 20 TDs. Three of them came in the semifinal win over Maui.
“Kyan has talent. Now the next step is, can we progress his IQ to match his level of raw talent,” Drummondo said. “Can we develop his body to match his raw talent. That’s the next step. It’s like our team, it’s a process. Throughout the year, he’s gotten better. Hopefully, he can have his best game on Saturday.”
The Vikings didn’t look to replace last year’s standout RB, Kahale Huddleston, who is now at Hawaii.
“It wasn’t even really replacing him at the RB position. It was replacing his production. He accounted for 35 TDs. It would’ve been unfair to tell Kaleo, ‘You have to fill this void.’ We had throw the ball a little more and disperse the ball to our playmakers outside a little more. It’s been a collective effort,” Drummondo said.
EDGE: Even
POS. NO. PLAYER HT. WT. CL.
QB 12 Kyan Miyasato 5-11 135 Jr.
RB 21 Kaleo Ramos 5-11 180 Sr.
WR 4 Guyson Ogata 5-7 160 Jr.
WR 7 Kalae Akui 5-10 180 Sr.
WR 14 Kyler Aguiar 5-10 145 Jr.
WR 15 Legend Figueroa 5-9 135 Sr.
OL 51 Lawaia Enos 6-0 200 Sr.
OL 52 Sione Holani 5-10 230 Sr.
OL 53 Kason Abadilla 5-8 250 Jr.
OL 54 Lolo Holika 5-11 250 Jr.
OL 61 Storm Kapeliela 6-2 280 Sr.
HILO DEFENSE
The Vikings allowed a mere 36 points in seven BIIF games. In the trenches, they employ a deep rotation.
“We try to rotate six in our three-man front,” Hilo coach Kaeo Drummondo said. “You might not start the game, but it doesn’t mean you’re not a starter. We’re dependent on a second group of three to come in and execute like the first group of three, and try to keep bodies fresh so everybody can play four quarters.”
LB Kalen White has led the charge.
“He’s really the heart and soul of this defense from a perspective of understanding what we’re doing, being able to get players lined up, being able to make calls for us.”
White is flanked by sophomore Mana Price and freshman Lyle Silva.
“They’re not very big, but they read their keys and they get after it,” Drummondo said.
Kahiau Walker is a third-year starter at safety and sophomore Klyson Kaiwi are two more key cogs.
“Kahiau, from a secondary perspective, he understands what we need, how to get us in different formations. Kiyson came in July, didn’t know what we were doing, came from the mainland, learned our system. He solidified the cornerback position opposite Elijah Apao and he’s played well for us,” Drummondo noted.
EDGE: Even
POS. NO. PLAYER HT. WT. CL.
DL 33 Kaoha Wilson 6-2 190 Jr.
DL 43 Joshua Niro 5-9 200 Jr.
DL 46 Kayden Alameda 6-0 180 Jr.
LB 10 Kalen White 5-9 190 Jr.
LB 30 Lyle Silva 5-6 150 Fr.
LB 44 Mana Price 5-9 200 So.
DB 2 Elijah Apao 5-5 145 Jr.
DB 3 Kahiau Walker 5-10 160 Sr.
DB 5 Kapana Kanae-Kane 6-0 150 So.
DB 25 Stan Mwarey 5-9 155 Jr.
DB 45 Klyson Kaiwi 5-9 130 So.
HILO SPECIAL TEAMS
The Vikings have a consistent place-kicker in Joshua Rosario, who was 5-for-5 on PATs last week against Maui. He also connected on three field goals this season.
POS. NO. PLAYER HT. WT. CL.
PK 13 Joshua Rosario 5-5 150 Sr.
KR 2 Elijah Apao 5-5 145 Jr.
KR 4 Guyson Ogata 5-7 160 Jr.
K 83 Masila Siua 6-0 145 So.
LS 50 Najeah Brown 5-5 180 Sr.
HO 2 Elijah Apao 5-5 145 Jr.
WAIPAHU OFFENSE
All the losses to graduation at QB and receiver could have been a blow to the Marauders’ ascent. Instead, they are, arguably, more surprising and less predictable. Alfred Failauga has passed the 1,000-yard mark (1,014 yards, nine TDs) despite missing four games with injury.
First-year starting QB Cody Marques has passed for 2,074 yards and 10 TDs, taking aim at Matthew Fiesta (44 catches, 681 yards, three TDs), Branson Jay Reyes (27, 522, four), Saxon Tote (37, 450, one) and Jovan Gooman (23, 219, one).
The Marauders lost Failauga earlier in the season to injury and, in some ways, were forced to develop a more balanced offense. That put the onus on the O-line, which is led by Savior Iaulualo.
“Savior really leads the pack. He played center for us last game, but he’s a true guard and when he pulls, he wants to make sure he does damage every time,” Carvalho said.
The Marauders have gone from OIA D-II champions to OIA D-I champs in consecutive years
“They’re real hungry. The intensity is great this week. The seniors know this is their last week of practice,” Carvalho said. “As a team, I don’t know if Waipahu has ever won a state (football) championship.”
The closest Waipahu has come was in 2011, when ‘Iolani prevailed over the Marauders in the D-II final, 34-0.
POS. NO. PLAYER HT. WT. CL.
QB 7 Cody Marques 5-11 155 Jr.
SB 6 Matthew Fiesta 5-6 145 Sr.
WR 14 Jovan Gooman 5-9 180 So.
SB 24 Branson Jay Reyes 5-7 145 Sr.
RB 25 Alfred Failauga 5-11 183 Jr.
WR 82 Saxon Tote 6-2 210 Sr.
OL 50 Savior Iaulualo 6-0 265 Sr.
OL 55 Tonga Kaufusi 6-0 250 Sr.
OL 58 Cameron Sua 6-1 235 Sr.
OL 60 Ronaldo Huihui 5-10 256 Jr.
OL 61 Navy Ala 5-10 255 Sr.
WAIPAHU DEFENSE
In their win over ‘Iolani, the Marauders limited a dangerous offense to 3.1 yards per play. ‘Iolani’s normally prolific ground attack was limited to 23 yards on 18 carries.
Waipahu counts on a rotation of up to eight linemen, led by Kealii Barrett and Gambino Devoux.
“Kealii is making a name for himself this year,” Carvalho said.
The 6-3, 271-pound junior led Waipahu with 10 tackles, including two for loss, against ‘Iolani. The pass rush was a major weapon, with sacks by Fiva Tulafale, Zachary Camanse, Devoux and Abraham Montero. That led to three interceptions by Deacon Kapea and one by Zeondre Benjamin.
“We’ve always had pretty good defense, but seeing it all come together, our defense shut down the backfield, it’s really impressive to see,” Carvalho said.
Since the OIA playoffs began, Waipahu has permitted just 9.3 points per game.
POS. NO. PLAYER HT. WT. CL.
DL 47 Kealii Barrett 6-3 271 Jr.
DL 52 Abraham Montero 6-3 251 Sr.
DL 77 Gambino Devoux 6-3 270 Sr.
LB 32 Zachary Camanse 5-6 185 Sr.
LB 45 Manuele Pulusila 5-7 177 Jr.
LB 9 Fiva Tulafale 6-3 231 Jr.
LB 3 Luke Reyes 5-7 154 Sr.
CB 22 Tarynce Antolin 6-0 170 Jr.
CB 23 Shayden Marienthal 5-9 150 Sr.
DB 5 Zeondre Benjamin 6-1 215 Sr.
S 2 Deacon Kapea 5-10 200 Sr.
WAIPAHU SPECIAL TEAMS
Brycen Amorozo, younger brother of former starting QB Braden Amorozo, has connected on three field-goal attempts. Tarynce Antolin averaged nearly 37 yards per punt against ‘Iolani. The Marauders also have weapons in the return game in Zeondre Benjamin and Deacon Kapea.
Benjamin returned a punt 45 yards against ‘Iolani. Kapea ran the ball back 32 yards with his lone kickoff return.
