It was a hot, humid day at Ala Moana Beach.
Coach Randall Okimoto was just enjoying time away from the Farrington campus, away from the Governors’ powerhouse football program. But it didn’t take long for maroon and white to return to his surroundings.
Off in the distance, in the water, a group of people gathered. Francis Silva was baptizing the newly faithful. And there, at his side, was son Abraham.
"When you baptize somebody, they’re starting out fresh. All the mistakes they made are gone already. They’re starting a new life," the son said.
Men and women, some older and some as young as 15, being dipped into the ocean water. The Silva ohana, including mom Marie, has done it for years.
"Abe was born into this, dedicating people to the Lord," Francis said.
Okimoto was mesmerized then, and he’s still intrigued now. Especially now. Abraham Silva has morphed from backup running back to All-State pick Tyler Taumua into one of the most prolific producers of the season. Just two games in, the 5-foot-10, 212-pound senior has rumbled for 380 yards and five touchdowns.
With Taumua sidelined with a shoulder injury, Silva was completely prepared to step in and step up. Better known to the Govs as Amo — the shortened version of Apelaamo, the Samoan translation of Abraham — he had 28 carries for 223 yards and two touchdowns against Waianae. That was with Waianae’s All-State defensive tackle, Kennedy Tulimasealii, in the lineup, and the Govs won 37-23.
"What a runner. He’s explosive and real quick to the outside," Waianae coach Danny Matsumoto said.
Just five nights later, Farrington met Saint Louis in a matchup of teams ranked in the Star-Advertiser’s Top 10 poll. Silva and his "Bamboolas" up front were large again against a star-studded defensive unit. He rushed for 157 yards on 19 carries, while Taumua returned from the injury to pick up 90 yards on 14 carries in the Govs’ 39-33 win. Silva scored on runs of 52, 15 and 2 yards, showing breakaway speed. But he still prefers the action inside, trusting his offensive line to provide creases against eight-man defensive fronts.
"They’re very strong. I really put my trust in them no matter what," he said of his O-line — A.J. White (6-1, 311), Mitchell Boyd (6-1, 303), Michael Boyd (6-1, 291), Colin Ka‘alele (6-2, 361) and Charles Sataraka (6-1, 333).
Serving hungry souls through Central Samoan Assembly of God wasn’t the only thing Silva did in the summer. His older brother, Andrew, trained with him every day, twice a day. Running and lifting. Lifting and running. Morning and night. Sprint after sprint at Kauluwela Community Park next door. Francis set the tone long ago after becoming a powerlifter. When Francis and Andrew aren’t available, Peter Helsham, Amo’s uncle, is there to train him.
The constant training didn’t start recently, either. Even as a second-string player last year, Silva hit the weight room every day after practice. Then he went into overdrive when Farrington’s season ended with a loss to Baldwin in the state tournament. He had 12 carries for 47 yards in the loss.
"He decided he’d work extra hard for his last year," Francis Silva said. "I didn’t want Amo getting bulky, so we did more reps."
It didn’t take long for Silva’s ascent to draw comparisons. While Taumua is a cutback runner with a skill for wiggling out of the grasp of defenders, Silva is as north-south as they get. He’ll max out what he can from the narrowest crease, yet have the sense to bounce to the edge in a split second. That’s when his 4.53 speed in the 40 is in play.
"Tyler will mix up his power and shiftiness. Amo runs straight at you," Okimoto said.
Then there’s the comparison to one of Farrington’s all-time running backs, Okimoto.
"My dad (Randall Okimoto Sr.) was the one who kind of compared him to me," the coach said. "He hits the hole hard, kind of like I hit it. The linemen gave him a nickname, ‘Jailbreak.’ I’m not sure if that’s good."
Funny nicknames aside, Okimoto and Silva have one play they love most: the "blast." It’s an isolation play that gives a Govs running back full wrecking-ball opportunity.
"He hits it at full speed," Okimoto noted.
Silva hasn’t changed his routine. His perspective remains focused.
"It’s not easy, especially at that age," Okimoto said. "I like what he’s said about the man upstairs."
Silva doesn’t look far for motivation. Aaron, the second of three Silva sons, played defensive line for the Govs back in 2008. He’s currently serving in the U.S. Army, deployed to Afghanistan.
"I want to say thanks for being a good role model to me," Amo said of Aaron. "I always look up to him. He teaches me to be a better athlete by staying in school, not giving up, always training harder every day to get better."
