All on the line

The only football head coach in Kapolei history is quick to point out that big doesn’t necessarily translate to talented or powerful.

But big, as coach Darren Hernandez concedes, is a good place to start when it comes to the Hurricanes’ offensive line. And it’s this gigantic line that will either propel Kapolei to success or leave the team short of its goals of a first OIA championship.

"Our line is untested," Hernandez said. "They are the engine that drives the machine, so how they play will go a long way in determining how we play."

That’s a tall task for the five starters, four of whom are seniors, at least one of them being recruited by Division I college programs on the West Coast.

Villiamu Auwae (6-foot-6, 275 pounds) and Pesi Savea (6-8, 310) are the bookends, and Toleafoa Auwae (6-5, 285) is the center.

With one week of practice in the books, Kapolei is preparing for a tough early regular-season schedule — against OIA powerhouses Kahuku, Farrington and Mililani.

That slate would make most coaches shake, and it surely weighs heavily on Hernandez’s mind. His Hurricanes — No. 10 in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser Preseason Top 10 — are looking at it as a huge challenge.

Savea, who counts USC among the schools recruiting him, talked about the team’s outlook while his head blocked out the hot Kapolei sun during one of the team’s three practices last Saturday.

"Those first three games will be a true test and definitely the most challenging part of the schedule," said Savea, who lines up at right tackle. "I think we have the best line Kapolei has had since … ever, and all the seniors have the desire to make this the school’s first championship season."

Savea knows words must be backed up with deeds. He said members of the team have talked about last season’s late collapse and that it won’t happen again.

Villiamu Auwae, the left tackle, says this is the "nastiest (in football terms)" line he’s been on.

"In practice, the D-line is pushing us, but we keep on moving them until the whistle blows and that’s what we’ll be doing," he said. "We want to pound them to the ground and as a line, we have a competition to try to get the most pancake blocks."

A new wrinkle at Kapolei this year is an old veteran of OIA wars — former Kailua head coach and Kahuku assistant Darren Johnson is the Hurricanes’ new offensive coordinator.

"Darren brings a lot of real professionalism to us," Hernandez said. "He and I are simpatico. We’ve known each other a long time and always said that it would be fun one day to work together."

Fun might just be what Kapolei needs. That, and a more consistent offense.

"I always strive for us to be a power running team to set up a balanced passing attack," Hernandez said. "But we’ve never really gotten to the point where it balances out. Either we’re good running and just OK passing or we’re great running and struggle with the pass. Darren (Johnson) is bringing in ideas that will help us with our running and setting up the play-action."

At Kailua, Johnson always had stout defensive teams (like Hernandez with the Hurricanes). Johnson was also known for fielding a rugged running game. Kapolei’s option attack will be run by quarterback Alton Julius, who can also play defensive back and wide receiver.

Ronald Young, who missed last season with a broken collarbone, is a tough and quick running back. Other weapons include running back Trensten Spragling, a transfer from Waianae, and wide receivers Tristan Centeio and Naliko Kea. Centeio, who had five interceptions a year ago, will also play in the defensive backfield.

The secondary is veteran oriented and will get leadership from hard-hitting safety Bryson Hughes, who led the team in picks with six last season and is "one of the top four or five safeties in the state," according to Hernandez.

"We have a strong defense and a strong offense," Hughes said. "And everyone stresses this is the team that will take us all the way. Everyone gets along. Everyone socializes with each other. Everyone encourages each other."

Kapolei’s defensive line is a concern, Hernandez said, because of the graduation of three key veterans. Myles Uepa, at 6-7, 265, will lead the new version of the unit.

Ronald Matautia, another Waianae transfer, is expected to be a force at linebacker.

Hernandez is six wins away from joining an exclusive club of Hawaii coaches with 100 victories. The Hurricanes finished 6-4 two years in a row, so the milestone is well within reach this season.

Hernandez isn’t counting wins as much as headaches (Kahuku, Mililani, Farrington, along with a visit to Kealakehe on the Big Island in the preseason) right now.

But if that massive line proves it is more than just big, and Kapolei sharpens its offense and plays its traditionally hard-nosed defense, there could be a breakthrough.

"We (usually) make it to the playoffs, but we want to go farther," Hernandez said.