The Chargers came oh, so close again against their nemesis, Nanakuli. Coming off the 37-36 overtime loss to the Golden Hawks in last week’s OIA D-II final — and a close defeat to the same team two years ago in the JV title game — Pearl City has gotten over it quickly.
The team had its banquet on Saturday, and by Monday, it was back to work in preparation for the KIF champion Kapaa Warriors. Pearl City flew into Lihue on Friday and stayed overnight in preparation for a team that runs like nobody it has seen all season.
"They pretty much run 90 percent of the time," Chargers coach Robin Kami said. "They’re big up front and they come right at you."
Kapaa’s program got an overhaul when Kelii Morgado took over seven years ago. Morgado guided the Warriors to a KIF title in 2011 and stepped down a year ago, with Philip Rapozo taking over the reins. It’s been quite a ride for Rapozo, whose two sons played under Morgado. Rapozo started on staff as an equipment manager, then was a JV coach. He returned to his role as an equipment manager before Morgado had him stay on as JV coach for two years. His first season as varsity head coach has been as good as hoped. Like Morgado, he’s kept the spread formation, but adapted it to put the talented offensive line to work.
Maka Ah Loo was a raw, 300-pound freshman when Kapaa lost a close battle at ‘Iolani three years ago. Now, Ah Loo is a lean 6-foot-2 and 265 pounds.
"He’s the anchor. He’s built and he’s solid now," Rapozo said of Ah Loo, who normally steps in at guard or center.
Left tackle Tevita Loketi (5-10, 210) and right guard Dylan Lemn (5-11, 220) are also key cogs up front.
They pave the way for a rushing attack guided by quarterback Rudy Agoot
(6-0, 195), who has thrown for 526 yards on 49 percent accuracy with a 6.6 YPA.
"He hasn’t thrown an interception or lost a fumble. He could get big-time numbers, but we ask him to manage the game," Rapozo said.
Manage, as in get the ball in the hands of Shain Davis (5-6, 180). The senior lines up all over the field and leads the Warriors in rushing (365 yards, six TDs, 6.9 per carry) and receiving (21 catches, 331 yards, two TDs).
Kapaa also goes to Kekoa Kaluahine-Cacal (306 yards, two TDs, 5.8 YPC) and Elijah McCarthy-Gouveia (282 yards, three TDs, 5.8 YPC). Both are coming off midseason injuries.
But what makes it all work is a deep O-line.
"Our 14 O-linemen, nine could easily start," Rapozo said. "They’re really good. Not real big, but athletic. We move well."
Rapozo won’t be surprised to see any defense stack the box.
"We really don’t mind if they bring eight, nine guys. We can throw the ball. We have good receivers. We want you to pass, and we want you to stop our run," he said.
Rapozo will likely get his wish. Pearl City has a penchant for throwing the ball thanks to quarterback Jordan Taamu (6-3, 185). The senior has thrown for 25 TDs with just four picks, including two in the title-game loss to Nanakuli. Taamu has completed 61.5 percent of his throws (7.3 YPA) with a healthy QBR of 158.98.
He threw touchdown passes to five different teammates in the OIA D-II semifinal game against Radford, and his three TD strikes last week went to three different Chargers.
But Taamu’s ability to cover open ground quickly has impressed at least two other D-II coaches.
"Their quarterback is athletic. We’ll be watching film in 15 minutes. We’ve got our game plan," Rapozo said on Tuesday afternoon. "They’re athletic, no doubt about it, but we like playing in the day time, and we’ve got plenty of depth."
That’s a possible issue: the 3 p.m. kickoff. Pearl City has a gritty bench without a lot of size.
That’s why it was interesting to see the Chargers slow the pace down as they led early against Nanakuli. Gone was the no-huddle in favor of clock management. That tactic was key to keeping Nanakuli’s no-huddle offense off the field. Coincidentally, Kapaa likes to speed up the pace with the no-huddle, too.
The Chargers have been doing what they can to get invaluable running back/ wide receiver/kick returner Dominic Maneafaiga (5-7, 172) early rest in recent games. The senior has rushed for 673 yards and 11 TDs, and caught 34 passes for 491 yards and seven TDs. He also has three TDs on special teams.
The Warriors have been stout defensively against the run with DE Mana Kupihea (6-0, 175) and DT Kapena Texeira (5-7, 245) up front. Taamu may not hand the ball off often, but he could be shadowed by linebackers Austyne Carvalho-Toloai (5-9, 190) and Mosese Fififta (6-0, 220). Outside linebacker Brooks Bethel (6-0, 190) has the weak side covered.
Safety Chaz Pacleb (5-9, 155) heads the secondary, which really hasn’t been tested through the air. They haven’t seen a receiver corps as deep as Pearl City’s, with 6-2 Garrett Kanamu (22 receptions, 259 yards, six TDs), Keelan Domingo-Ishikawa (22-265-5) and Israel Kaleo (15-174-4). M.J. Kepuhiwa, CB/WR Kavossie Mason and Dante McGee have also made some key plays downfield.
Kami wishes he had a bye week to rest up his weary squad. The Chargers have had just one bye in 11 weeks. Kapaa had five byes over the same span due to the nature of its three-team league. The Warriors haven’t lost since falling to D-II powerhouse Lahainaluna 18-16 on Aug. 16.
"They didn’t show a lot of plays against Lahainaluna," Kami said after a videotape exchange with Rapozo. "What I see on the film from two weeks ago is a big difference. We’re going to need a swarming defense. It won’t be just one player trying to do everything."
