Two years ago, Lopeti Fonokalafi traded in his green jersey for a blue one.

After he departed Division II Kaimuki for D-I Kaiser, his junior season had its share of highlights. Then came his senior season, and eight players transferred out of Kaiser.

Fonokalafi, one of the top defensive tackles in the state, stayed put.

That’s why, as the 6-foot-1, 285-pound lineman prepares for tonight’s HUB Senior Goodwill Classic, it’s only fitting that his coach is none other than Kaimuki’s Clint Onigama, who will guide the East All-Stars.

The Bulldogs coach was in his first season when Fonokalafi was a sophomore. He sees all the athletic attributes at this week’s practices for the East All-Stars.

"Oh, Lopeti’s tough, he’s got good instincts. Physically, he’s so strong. He’s a force in the middle. He makes really good reads," said Onigama, who guided Kaimuki to the D-II state tournament final last year. "It’s nice, like old times. Lopeti’s Lopeti. Regardless of how anything played out, we’re glad to have him on the team."

Fonokalafi’s team at Kaiser struggled with the defections.

"We won one game, but I wouldn’t count the forfeit against Nanakuli," said Fonokalafi, who faced double and triple teams all season, but found ways to make plays.

With the varsity bringing up so many underclassmen from the JV team, Fonokalafi often led drills to start the defensive line’s workouts. Since Kaiser’s schedule ended six weeks ago, he’s put in the sweat equity — constantly worked out with head coach Will Lobendahn and position coach Matt Faga, and also with Chad Ikei, who has trained pro and college athletes.

"Basically, everything is a lot of lifting while we learn how to do acceleration and stuff," Fonokalafi said. "A lot of power lifts."

West coach Fred Salanoa points to Fonokalafi as one of the players he would pay to see play.

"As far as an exciting player, that would have to be (Jeremiah) Andrade of Leilehua. He can do it all. But as far as a player that can make a difference, I would have to say Lopeti Fonokalafi. He came from a team, wins and losses weren’t very good. But against every team in the Red, he can pretty much manhandle the center and linemen," Salanoa said.

There are no scholarship offers on the table yet for Fonokalafi, who plans to take the SAT again in January.

"I’m just hoping to get a good score," he said. "I just gotta do what I gotta do to get to college. Hopefully, I can get a scholarship. Football is everything, you know, but it all depends."

Fonokalafi may have punting duties, a role he got accustomed to at Kaiser.

Onigama has hope for the steady senior.

"I hope that he gets picked up. He’s very good," he said.

Fonokalafi and the defensive unit may get quite a test against a West squad that features the state’s top passer in Kenan Sadanaga, and a fleet corps of receivers. In addition to Andrade, they have another Mule, Allen Racette; Mililani’s Deshawn Duncan-Benson and Kaimi Wilson; and Punahou’s 6-5 wideout, Malik Johnson.

To top it off, the West also has Punahou’s versatile running back, Steven Lakalaka, and Kamehameha tight end Keoni Bush-Loo. Center Tim Momiyama, who will have place-kicking duties, is another Leilehua representative.

"The quarterback-center exchange is big," Salanoa said.

The East has a secondary that may keep up with the firepower of the West. Cornerbacks Evan Ramirez and Mekeli Fiso, safety Bronson Beatty and linebacker Benneton Fonua are among six Kahuku players on the squad.