The Mililani coaching staff offered the Trojans defense a rare treat last year.

Quarterbacks are generally considered off limits in practices. But whenever Jarin Morikawa stepped in to take a snap, the coaches unleashed the defense on the sophomore.

"Normally with quarterbacks, we blow an early whistle," Mililani head coach Rod York said. "With him, because he wasn’t getting the JV experience, he was live. Go ahead and tackle him if you can."

The staff elevated Morikawa to the varsity last year in anticipation of his ascension to the starting job in his junior season.

York is quick to acknowledge that tests in practice — even with the live rush — can’t quite replicate the atmosphere of game night. "But we went at it," he said. "It’s prepared him well."

Morikawa did get some game experience last season as the Trojans’ kicker while backing up Trent McKinney, the Star-Advertiser’s All-State second-team quarterback, and has lots of company in adjusting to an enhanced role in the offense.

New names top the depth chart at all 11 positions, leaving York, offensive coordinator Bobby George and Mililani’s position coaches to develop cohesion within the unit in practice as the Trojans enter the new season holding the title of reigning Oahu Interscholastic Association Red champions.

Mililani was awarded its first OIA football title when Kahuku was ruled ineligible and forfeited the Red division championship game. But the season ended with a 48-41 loss to Waianae in the semifinals of the HHSAA Division I tournament and the Trojans closed 2010 at 9-2.

"We told the guys we had a great season, enjoy it. We soaked it in and looked at the positives. Give (the Seariders) credit for what they had to overcome, they deserved it," York said. "But it’s a new season. It doesn’t matter what we did last year or the year before, it’s about proving ourselves as coaches and players and coming together."

On paper: York concedes that giving up 48 points to end the season still stings a bit. Sam Downey, a longtime member of the Saint Louis coaching staff during the Crusaders’ dynasty, takes over as defensive coordinator and is building around a solid linebacker unit led by Cilvin Steward, Jonathon Makaiau and Justin Revilla.

The staff moved other linebackers to defensive end to provide more speed off the edge. Defensive lineman Ian Namu was promoted to the varsity late in his freshman year and ended up starting during the playoffs. Peter Pia also returns to the interior line. The Trojans’ depth was boosted by additions of transfer defensive lineman Dakota Turner (Kapolei) and cornerback Bronson Kauleinamoku (Damien).

On the other side of the line, York said junior center Joseph Anglemire (6-foot-2, 250 pounds) is capable of playing any position on the offensive front. Others such as Blazen Calma and Keelen Obedoza aren’t’ quite as big, "but these guys will get the job done," York said.

The skinny: York was encouraged by the Trojans’ offseason focus. He said they performed well in the summer pass league and ramped up their conditioning heading into practice. He scheduled scrimmages at Kamehameha and Kahuku last week to take the team outside of its comfort zone prior to the opener.

"I can’t be any happier with our boys and the coaching staff going into the season," York said. "We’ll find out because now this is real football. We’re not playing in a pass league."

X-factor: Replacing the big-play potential of All-State receiver Hassan Richardson won’t be easy. But York is confident Kaimi Wilson, a safety last year, and DeShawn Benson will provide ample athletic ability on the perimeter.

"Of course, athleticism isn’t everything; they have to put it all together," York said.