Whether on an individual or collective level, Joseph Wong isn’t about to let the Kailua football team rest on last year’s turnaround season.
After going 0-7 in Wong’s first season as head coach, the Surfriders surged to 7-3 last fall, posting the program’s highest win total since 2003 (8-3-1) and finishing above .500 for only the second time in that 12-year span.
While last year’s team raised the bar for the program with a run that ended with a loss to Waianae in the OIA Division I quarterfinals, the current group is aiming to take it a notch higher.
“I preach to take that next step, our goal is to shave off one loss from last year,” Wong said, “whether it be during the season or in the playoffs where we go one more step ahead.
“Our players have been working for that and they’ve bought into that. They want to one-up last year’s team.”
Defensive end Christian Mejia echoed that mission statement as he works to build on a breakout season that earned him first-team All-State honors. The 6-foot-4, 210-pound senior wrapped up opposing quarterbacks for 15 sacks last season and is slated to again contribute on offense as a tight end while taking on a more prominent leadership role.
“He has to speak up more this year because he’s the leader and he has to do it as far as his play on the field,” Wong said. “The play is going to show, in the game he’s a vocal guy.
“As a defensive end, he knew what the tackles were doing, he knew what the linebackers were doing, and the DBs. … He’s a student of the game. He’s all-around, so I appreciate that. It’s like a coach on the field.”
The Surfrider offense will break in a new starter at quarterback following the graduation of Noah Auld, who threw for 2,090 yards and 30 touchdowns against six interceptions as a senior.
Senior Keoni Serikawa and junior Aaron Mejia (Christian’s younger brother) are competing for the starting spot. Whatever the outcome, both figure to be on the field either slinging passes or as a target at wide receiver.
“Either way, I believe whatever happens we’ll be a pretty strong team offensively,” Wong said. “That’s a win-win situation for me. … We’ll figure it out and use them on the field in various packages.”
Gabriel LeLesch returns to the backfield after helping balance the attack with a team-high 464 rushing yards and six touchdowns along with Mark Lagazo (167 yards, two TDs). They’ll run behind a line that includes Sione Veikoso, a 6-foot-7, 280-pound junior who earned second-team OIA Blue honors in his first season of football. Senior Elias Wong, the coach’s son, also returns as a three-year starter at center. Senior Nick Vaimaona also helps up front.
2016 SCHEDULE
>> Aug. 5: at Aiea
>> Aug. 13: Moanalua
>> Aug. 20: Farrington*
>> Aug. 27: Bye
>> Sept. 2: at Nanakuli
>> Sept. 10: Leilehua
>> Sept. 16: at Kapolei
>> Sept. 23: Mililani
>> Oct. 1: Castle
* at Ticky Vasconcellos Stadium
2015 RESULTS
>> Castle, W: 34-24
>> Leilehua, W: 27-14
>> Kapolei, W: 20-6
>> At Aiea, W: 34-21
>> Campbell, W: 34-21
>> Farrington, L: 13-19
>> At Moanalua, W: 37-24
>> Mililani, L: 21-45
>> Waipahu, W: 57-6
>> At Waianae, L: 22-37
ABOUT THE TEAM
>> Coach: Joseph Wong
>> Offensive coordinator: Afton Smith
>> Defensive coordinator: Chris Jose
>> All-State players returning: DE Christian Mejia (first team)
>> All-State players lost: OL Nilsson Gaisoa (third team), QB Noah Auld (third team)
>> State championships: none
>> OIA championships: 4 (1963, 64, 65, 2001)
