State of the art

The best of artists, over time, learn to reinvent themselves rather successfully.

Larry Tuileta wasn’t just an artist, though. The Punahou quarterback evolved from linebacker on the intermediate team to All-State quarterback as a junior.

As a senior, he transformed from prolific passing machine to jack of all trades. The Punahou offense, which motored a run to the state championship game in 2012, went through major renovation. The fluid, big-play passing game remained, but Tuileta was required to learn more, to step outside of the proverbial box.

His evolution — mastering the triple option, adding the tight end in his series of progressions and more — was key to Punahou’s perfect season and the Buffanblu’s first state football crown since ’08.

Tuileta’s 2,647 passing yards were impressive enough, but his 28 touchdown strikes with just five picks in Punahou’s 11-0 season said more. His footwork and hands made the new chapters in their playbook useful for the Buffanblu and troublesome for opposing defenses. And when defenses began to clamp down on Punahou’s sledgehammer ground game, Tuileta went to the air again.

In the state semifinal, Tuileta was 23-for-34 against Farrington with 430 yards and five touchdown strikes. He passed for 265 yards (16-for-29) and three touchdowns in the title win over Mililani.

It all added up to Star-Advertiser All-State offensive player of the year honors for the 6-foot-3, 205-pound senior.

"Tui is the kind of guy you just expect to do great things. Sometimes you take him for granted," Punahou coach Kale Ane said. "He always comes through and he keeps everybody grounded. He keeps working on getter better."

The numbers, the accolades, the championship … they all made sense for a natural athlete. But poise and an even-keeled persona made him a classic leader on both the gridiron and the volleyball court, where he is a three-time All-State selection.

"Gatorade player of the year two times. All-State player of the year. State champion. That says it all," Mililani coach Rod York said. "Then you take it over to volleyball and he’s a beast in his own right. That’s very well deserving and it’s good to see because the kid is humble. Real humble. He’s great in the classroom. He represents Punahou School and he does a hell of a job performing out there."

Mililani had all the weapons to stop Tuileta and the Buffanblu. The Trojans beat every other team on the schedule. But it wasn’t meant to be.

"There were times his first progression wasn’t open. That was our game plan, but you’ll see him buy time in the pocket and find guys open on third and long, hitting first downs or touchdowns," York said. "He makes plays that other teams didn’t make on us, and that’s why he’s the man."

Kelii Padello of Mililani was an overwhelming choice by coaches and media for defensive player of the year honors.

"Padello has such a tremendous motor. It doesn’t matter how big the person is across from him. He’ll do whatever he can to reach his goal," Ane said. "He’s so courageous and has such a big heart. I think every coach on the island would love to have him."

Padello was one of six Trojans voted to the first team, but they weren’t the only honorees from Mililani. York was voted coach of the year, edging Ane by a single point.

Kaiser’s Rich Miano was third in the voting and Kauai’s Tommy John Cox was fourth. Amosa Amosa of Campbell and Greg Taguchi of Kalani followed, with Doug Cosbie of Kamehameha and Wendell Look of ‘Iolani also receiving votes.

In the offensive POY voting, Vavae Malepeai of Mililani was second to Tuileta.

Jacob Lacaden of Saint Louis was second to Padello in the defensive POY voting.

Tuileta and Padello crossed paths twice this season. Padello was more than a defensive end. He was the eye of the storm, part of a dynamic Mililani defense that turned the Trojans into OIA Red champions. By the final game, they came within a touchdown of stunning eventual champ Punahou.

Padello, at 5-11 and 200 pounds, spent much of his waking hours in the offseason — every year — working on his craft. Inspired by old training videos of the late Walter Payton, Padello ran the hills of Mililani Mauka, skipped rope endlessly and pumped iron without ceasing, all in the hope of whittling fractions of a second off his 40 time and, ultimately, his acceleration from the edge to the pocket.

The result: a whopping 26 sacks in 12 games.

When he racked up three sacks in a season-opening loss to Punahou, the Buffanblu flip-flopped linemen for the remainder of the season, moving left guard Davis Miyashiro-Saipa’ia to tackle and using his agility to better protect the blind side for Tuileta. Sure enough, the two teams met again in the state final. Padello had three tackles for loss and one sack. The Buffanblu didn’t stop him, but did just enough to contain him in the 28-22 victory.

"He’s the guy in the locker room who changes the culture and keeps it fun at the same time," York said of Padello. "He’s actually a linebacker, but we asked him to play defensive end. He runs a 4.6 40 and probably in the first 8 yards, he’s probably the fastest in the state. His dad has been training him since he was young, and this is what you get. It’s about ability, agility, speed. In KK’s mind, he doesn’t see height, and that’s why he’s able to produce."

They call him KK only because his younger brother, long ago, couldn’t pronounce Kelii. It’s stuck.

"He works when the sun is down, both mornings and evenings, and he works hard in the classroom," York said.

Padello’s perspective on Tuileta is brief, but truthful: "He’s a beast."

Tuileta still deflects praise to an extent, but he’s grateful for the teachers in his life.

"It’s been a pretty good journey. Freshman year, I got a little more serious. I really took it to heart to get my footwork and technique down. I worked with Tom Martinez, Tom Brady’s quarterback coach," Tuileta said of the guru, who died in 2012. "I’ve learned to really fine tune. An inch off here, or for volleyball, a step to the right, to the left. My coaches have taught me the correct way to do things."

HONORABLE MENTION

Offensive Line
Kit Taura, Moanalua; Douglas Kema III, Campbell; Herman Kanoa, Kahuku; Andru Tovi, Mililani; Devan Ferreira, Kauai; Donald Barenaba-Setoki, Kahuku; Jared Caputy, Punahou; John Funaki, Kahuku; Jason Tara-Antone, Hilo; Feke Sopoaga-Kioa, Kealakehe; Tavita Eli, Kealakehe; Makoa Chapa, Konawaena; Lucas Beddow, Kamehameha; Epeli Natoko, Leilehua; Josh Tupouniua, Kalaheo; Spencer Kiehm, ‘Iolani; Derick Fetui-Suapaia, Mililani; T.J. Utai, Farrington; Kainoa McCauley, Punahou.

Receivers
Brandon Roberts, Kalani; Po‘okela Noa-Nakamoto, Waianae; Tristin Kamaka, Leilehua; Jayce Bantolina, Campbell; Jacob Baguio, Farrington; Dakota Torres, Punahou; Shaenen Hernandez-Fonoti, Aiea; Trevor Yamashita, Kalani; Allan Cui, Saint Louis; Blaise Manabe, Kalani; Drew Kobayashi, Saint Louis; Amosa Amosa Jr., Campbell; Dustin Ancheta-Maeda, Waianae; Kuuliko Carvalho, Kahuku.

Running Backs
Bobby Lum, Hawaii Prep; Brandon Kahookele, Kamehameha; Tristan Spikes, Hilo; Devin Preston, Waiakea; Triston Pebria, Kapolei; Polikapo Liua Jr., Kahuku; Ikaika Piceno, Leilehua; Soli Afalava, Kahuku; Jemery Willes, Waianae; Mahvan Tau, Waianae; Jordan Ross, ‘Iolani; Reggie McFadden, Kauai; Austin May, Campbell.

Quarterbacks
McKenzie Milton, Mililani; Noah Brum, Kalani; Cody Lui-Yuen, Radford; Micah Kaneshiro, Moanalua; Austin Jim On, ‘Iolani.

Utility
Donovan Kelly, Hilo; Makena Johnston, Kalaheo; Tyrell Tuiasosopo, McKinley.

Defensive Tackles
Nolan Eseroma, Farrington; Kaleipuakea Meyer, Kamehameha; Peter Sagapolutele, Saint Louis; Marc Ma, ‘Iolani; Isi Holani, Hilo; Salanoa Wily, Kahuku; Toese Tia, Campbell; Ratu Mafileo, Moanalua; Kalani Vakameilalo, Kapolei; Maake Muti, Leilehua.                                          

Defensive Ends
Jon Salzman, Hilo; Michael Williams, Hilo; Jeff Tuuga, Campbell; Ruairi Brady, Punahou; Canton Kaumatule, Punahou; Connor Mowat, Lahainaluna.

Linebackers
Tumuauatasi Tuinei, Punahou; Quinn Kihune, Kamehameha-Maui; Makana Josue-Ma‘a, Hilo; Sione Holika, Hilo; James Bukoski, Kauai; Ofa Fahiua, Hilo; Suwaiter Poch, Hilo; Kaimana Wilson, Mililani; Jerney Tago-Su‘e, Campbell; Abiel Taito, Campbell; Isaac Slade-Matautia, Kaiser; Canaan Saole, Kaiser.

Cornerbacks
Max Look, ‘Iolani; Jaren Zadio, Mililani; J.T. Los Banos, ‘Iolani; Randon Oda, Punahou;
Dayne Ortiz, Farrington; Leejay Lauti, Leilehua; Chad Souza, Kamehameha; Ashley Kaka, Kahuku; Dante Falemalu, Kahuku; John Farley, Kahuku; Wallen Te‘o, Saint Louis.

Safeties
Tanner Oshiro, Saint Louis; Michael Bender, Moanalua; Ikaika Urasaki, Castle.

Returners
Tristin Kamaka, Leilehua; Allan Cui, Saint Louis; Kanawai Noa, Punahou; Makena Johnston, Kalaheo.

Place-kickers
Stanton Spencer, Waianae; Jae Won Huh, Aiea; Logan Uyetake, Kamehameha-Hawaii; Kekoa Sasaoka, Farrington; Marc Matas, Mililani; Keoni-Kordell Makekau, ‘Iolani; Naia Graham, Kailua; Kailoa Akoi, Kamehameha-Maui.