Granted new life at the end of last season, Waianae converted the second chance into a run to the state final.

Building on the momentum generated at the end of last season now presents a challenge and an opportunity for a new crop of Seariders playmakers.

“We lost some good athletes and we’ve had some come back,” Waianae head coach Danny Matsumoto said, “but it still feels like we’re rebuilding.”

The Seariders scuffled through the regular season last fall, finishing third in the OIA Red West at 3-3. They went 1-2 in the OIA Red playoffs and would have missed the state tournament if not for the league ruling that abruptly ended Kahuku’s season.

Waianae defeated Kealakehe to open the state tournament, then upset Mililani in a 48-41 shootout in the semifinals.

The season ended with a 36-13 loss to Saint Louis in the state championship game, the Seariders’ first appearance in the prep football schedule’s finale since playing in the 1997 Prep Bowl.

The seniors who powered the late-season surge have moved on, renewing the process of establishing leadership and an identity.

Matsumoto will learn much about the makeup of this year’s team on Friday when the Seariders — ranked third in the Star-Advertiser’s preseason poll — open the season with a trek to Kahuku.

“I know they’re going to be hungry, so it’s going to be a rough game,” Matsumoto said of the Red Raiders. “They have a lot to prove so I know they’re going to be ready for us.”

On paper: Defensive tackle Kennedy Tulimasealii is back following a breakout sophomore season and is the only returning member of last year’s Star-Advertiser All-State first team defense.

Matsumoto said Tulimasealii, listed at 300 pounds last year, has trimmed down a bit as a junior. Playing at a lighter weight should enhance his quickness off the line of scrimmage, perhaps making him even tougher to block. Arnold Voa also returns at defensive end to help fortify the front.

Matsumoto said the Seariders’ scrimmages with Pearl City and ‘Iolani last week helped solidify the rest of the starting defense although the coaches “are still trying to get the pieces together.”

Among those pieces are two players who moved over from offense. Devon Kamaka, a running back last year, is settling in at cornerback to join three-year starter Alan Ibanes in the secondary. Lyman Peeples shifted from tight end to linebacker, where Thompson Toetuu-Aipa is among the leading contenders.

The skinny: Devon Seabrooks’ opportunity to run Waianae’s hybrid of a wing-T and spread offense arrives after backing up Puletua Wilson last year.

“Those are big shoes to fill because Pule did a great job for us last year,” Matsumoto said.

Wilson’s knack for extending drives running the ball and his development as a passer were central to the Seariders’ success. Matsumoto said Seabrooks brings a similar skill set to the position, though developing the decision-making critical in running the option will come with more game-time seasoning.

Seabrooks will have experience behind him in the backfield with the return of running back Jaylen Mitchell, who sparked the state tournament win over Mililani with 120 yards and two touchdowns on just 10 carries. Leighton Panui is also expected to contribute to a running back rotation led by his cousin, Bryson Panui, last year. Jayson Towne is also part of the mix as the Seariders typically regularly rotate their running backs.

Brandon Moniz and Tuli Leota are among the leaders of an offensive line counted on to provide room for the backs and time for Seabrooks to find receivers such as returnee Lawrence Akana.

X-factor: The returning Seariders can now pair the experience of postseason success with their physical potential. Adding consistency to the mix figures to be a key to surviving a rugged schedule in the OIA Red West.

“At least we can say we got there last year and all that,” Matsumoto said, “but in reality it’s going to be game to game.”