Defense first

Defense can do a little more than win championships, it can make you remembered as an all-time great.

Kahuku’s defense shut out five opponents and allowed only 88 points in 13 games all season a year ago, the second-fewest points allowed per game (6.8) in the state championship era, behind only the 5.6 Siuaki Livai’s Kahuku squad yielded in 2005.

Despite losing middle linebacker Benny Fonua to the University of Hawaii, that dominant defense is part of the reason why Kahuku begins the season No. 1 in the Star-Advertiser’s prep football poll.

"We have the potential to be that good again, even without (Fonua)," Kahuku head coach Reggie Torres said. "It all depends on leadership, on whether our guys can step up and replace the leadership that he brought. But the pieces are all there."

The defense is largely set and already shutting down opponents in scrimmages. It starts with the interior line, where Toiva Tufaga and Siaumau Mapu dig in with Lamone Williams rotating in.

Johnny Tapusoa is the leader at linebacker, moving sideline to sideline and doing it all while trying to fill the hole left by Fonua. Torres loves to see Tapusoa stuff the run, but the captain is equally adept at covering receivers. Rashaan Falemalu is Kahuku’s other stopper at linebacker.

The secondary is led by Kawehena Johnson, but he is so much more than a defender.

While running back Aofaga Wily is the kind of talent who keeps opposing defenses playing "Where’s Wily" before the snap, it is impossible for anyone to keep tabs on Johnson. Throughout camp, Johnson has practiced regularly as a slot receiver, punt and kick returner, holder and even backup quarterback. In a scrimmage against Kapolei, he was on the field with the starters for nearly every snap of the first half and helped the Red Raiders shut out the Hurricanes. He also took a punt back inside the 10-yard line. Torres hopes he won’t have to lean on Johnson too much once the players behind him get up to speed, but until then he will be on the field nearly as much as the referee.

"I tell you what, he worked his tail off for football," Torres said. "He seems to know how fast football goes by and wants to be a part of everything while it lasts. Hopefully other people will step up, but we need him right now."

Torres figures it will take about a month to get his depth built up, and his preseason schedule will help him do that. Kahuku doesn’t play until next week, when it will test itself against No. 2 Punahou, then will enjoy a bye after that.

The additional practice time will allow Kahuku to further work on its passing game, getting the rest of the offense in tune with returning quarterback Viliami Livai. Last year, the Red Raiders took the same approach, intending on riding Livai’s arm in key situations but fell into having him turn around and hand the ball to Wily because nobody could stop the running game. Expect more of the same this year.

"Of course, we want to be more versatile," Torres said. "But we love to run the ball, who wouldn’t love to run the ball with (Wily)? He has the ability to make people miss, he will get 5 yards, 3 yards, as well as break the long ones."

Wily would be good but not great without the guys up front. Returning first-team all-stater John Waa anchors the line, but moves from the right tackle spot to the left, where he can protect Livai’s blind side. Donald Barenaba-Setoki is the heir apparent, but will be used all over for now.

The only battle for a starting spot is at what is historically Kahuku’s Achilles’ heel — kicker. Jacob Samsel transferred in from Utah with a wealth of experience, but freshman Kekoa Sasaoka brings his big leg to camp to challenge him. Torres says it is too early to tell who will win the job.

No matter who wins the role, Kahuku is going to be as good as last year. A regular-season loss to Farrington was Torres’ first OIA defeat on the field — the Red Raiders retroactively forfeited their undefeated 2010 season for using an ineligible player — in his five years as head coach. Kahuku got its revenge against the Governors in the playoffs, but the teams will clash again Sept. 29 at Aloha Stadium.

"All of the top contenders are looking forward to the state championship," Torres said. "Of course they are. But to get there, all of the top contenders, ourselves included, are just taking it one play at a time and trying to enjoy the experience. It goes by so fast."