Sometimes, a gentleman of Kalaepohaku remains in the islands.

Sometimes, he ventures across the ocean.

Kaipo Batoon grew up in the era of Saint Louis’ football dynasty. Today, he’s a software architect for VMWare. He’s also the defensive coordinator at Liberty High School in Nevada. When the Patriots meet Saint Louis on Saturday night at Aloha Stadium, Batoon will face his high school head coach, the legendary Cal Lee.

"Playing for Saint Louis and Coach Lee at the time was something special," Batoon texted on Wednesday.

He played on Crusader teams led by Vavae Tata (current Kahuku head coach), Peter Salavea and Mark Acohido.

"Saint Louis influenced me quite a bit. How we played the game and how the game taught us about life. I personally try to give back to these kids what Coach Lee and Saint Louis have given to me. We are trying to build a program like Saint Louis, building traditions and a championship character," Batoon wrote.

Lee is leading his Crusaders into yet another out-of-state matchup for a second week in a row. Saint Louis overwhelmed Faga’itua of American Samoa 55-6 last weekend. Seeing some of his former players across the field come game time is starting to become the norm.

"Oh, it makes you feel a little old, but I feel honored that they chose to help kids, which is what we’re here to do. They love the game and want to give back to the game, working with kids. Teach them life skills. That’s really important. Football is just a game," Lee said.

Batoon is not the lone islander on Liberty’s staff. Former Roosevelt and UH player Chad Kapanui is the offensive coordinator. He’s a teacher at Liberty. There are more island-raised assistants on staff: Nua Agatonu, Justin Clark and Vince Leae. There’s also Batoon’s brother, Kawika, coaching the Patriots’ secondary.

The Batoons’ youngest brother, Keone, coaches the secondary for Saint Louis. Oh, and there’s brother Corey at Ole Miss.

While Saint Louis is ranked No. 2 in the Star-Advertiser Top 10 and has Division-I talent across the board, Liberty has been impressive in recent years. Rich Muraco, who is related to former Punahou player and pro wrestler Don Muraco, is 61-17 as head coach. Quarterback Kenyod Oblad started as a freshman last season and already has an offer from BYU, with a slate of West Coast schools showing interest.

Oblad’s favorite target is Ethan Dedeaux, an all-state first-team pick as a sophomore.

Kaipo Batoon’s son, Kaimi, is a fourth-year starter along with fullback Alofania Tevaseu and defensive back Bryan Roland.

Among the top players originally from Hawaii are defensive lineman Nayton Koki, formerly of Roosevelt, Brycen Dela Cruz and Keshon Pitts, and many more.

"They had a scrimmage with Bishop Gorman last week and they looked pretty impressive, so that says a lot right there," Lee said. "They’re well coached and one of the top teams besides Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas."

With so many island players relocating to play at schools like Liberty, Saturday’s matchup has the vibe of a battleground for local talent.

"Everybody has their reasons and I don’t know why kids move. I’m hoping education is part of it," Lee said.

Whether it’s easier and less expensive access to mainland camps, combines and clinics, or better job opportunities for parents, the opportunities and temptations to leave the islands for Las Vegas remain. Especially with the pain of the recession easing bit by bit since 2009.

"Things are picking up in Vegas since then," Kaipo Batoon texted.

Moving to Las Vegas or anywhere else has helped other local players, too. But more and more have stayed home and proven that recruiters will seek talent in the islands more than ever. Michael Eletise of Kaiser had more than 40 Division I offers by summer before deciding on Arizona.

"I hear it all the time from colleges how they love to grab kids from Hawaii, so they’re looking for our Hawaii kids. If they bail out at home, they will get recognized. Having a good showing in Hawaii opens light to young kids looking for more opportunity," Batoon wrote. "But I honestly believe that Hawaii football is now a breeding ground for colleges to recruit, so most of them will get decent looks staying home."

Coming home — the Patriots fly into the islands today and have a morning practice schedule at Aloha Stadium — is a big deal for the island transplants.

"I miss a lot from Hawaii," Batoon added. "The culture, the weather, the people! And, of course, the food. At this point, I’m going to try to hit as many plate lunch places as my body can physically handle."

Liberty will host No. 1 Mililani next week.

TODAY’S GAMES

McKinley (0-3, 0-2 OIA Red) at No. 3 Kahuku (3-0, 2-0) — The Red Raiders are bone crushers with an old-school smashmouth attack. Sefa Ameperosa (291 yards, three TDs) has been a breakaway delight. The versatility of RB-QB Kesi Ah-Hoy is being maximized by Coach Vavae Tata and his staff. Ah-Hoy has rushed for 157 yards but is also accurate on his limited passing attempts.

No. 9 Waianae (2-1, 2-0 OIA Red) at Leilehua (0-2, 0-1) — The Searider offense is rolling with 79 points in two conference games. Jaren Ulu is the trigger man at quarterback with RBs Ezkiah Moniz-Hopeau and Javen Towne (seven TDs) picking up momentum in wins over Moanalua and Castle. Waianae is on the road for a third week in a row.

No. 10 Kapaa (2-0, 0-0 KIF) vs. Kauai (0-2, 0-0) — Kapaa, the defending league champion, had a bye week after two preseason wins, including a 14-10 victory over perennial D-II state contender Lahainaluna.

Waipahu (1-1, 1-1 OIA Red) at Castle (1-2, 1-1) — The Knights are playing the third of four straight home games. QB Willie Ewaliko is the wild card who can keep his team in any game, but without a credible ground attack — Blayzen Napoleon has a team-high 58 rushing yards — the offense is dependent on receivers like Jeremy McGoldrick (20 catches, 360 yards, seven TDs).

Kalani (1-2, 1-1 OIA D-II) vs. Radford (2-0, 2-0), Aiea High School — Radford appears to be the most stacked team in OIA D-II, and a few of their talented players transferred from Kalani in the offseason. Among them is RB Ace Faumui, who rushed for 104 yards on just seven carries in last week’s win over Roosevelt. Another former Falcon, WR Blaise Manabe, caught a TD pass.

Waialua (3-0, 2-0 OIA D-II) at Roosevelt (1-2, 0-2) — At home or on the road, the Bulldogs have been resilient. Once they get through the next two weeks away, their final four league games are scheduled at home. Waialua is 3-0 for the first time since 1993. Mila Lele has rushed for 303 yards and five TDs in wins over Honokaa, Kalani and Pearl City.

Murrieta Mesa, Calif. (0-0) vs. St. Francis (2-1, 0-0 ILH D-II), Ching Field — The visiting Rams were 4-6 in the CIF’s Southwestern League last season. They’re led by offensive lineman Nathan Smith and running back Mateo Thompson. The Saints offense is sparked by leading rusher Matt Dacuycuy (195 yards, four TDs).

King Kekaulike (0-2, 0-1 MIL) at Kamehameha-Maui (1-1, 1-0) — Momentum in this Upcountry battle is with the Warriors, who posted a rare win over defending league champ Lahainaluna last week.

Konawaena (2-0, 0-0 BIIF) at Waiakea (0-3, 0-0) — The Wildcats have momentum after preseason wins over St. Francis and Kauai with sophomore Austin Ewing at QB.

Kamehameha-Hawaii (3-0, 0-0 BIIF) at Kealakehe (1-2, 0-0) — Despite losing senior standouts, the Warriors are rolling again with nearly 34 points per game on offense. Returnee Kaeo Batacan has been prolific at running back.

SATURDAY’S GAMES

No. 7 Kapolei (1-2, 0-2 OIA Blue) at No. 1 Mililani (2-0, 2-0) — The balance of Mililani’s offense is so vast, there isn’t a single receiver with more than 100 yards yet this season. With RB Vavae Malepeai (180 yards, five TDs) pummeling front sevens and defensive backs shading toward WR Kalakaua Timoteo, QB McKenzie Milton has found open slot receivers with regularity.

Moanalua (2-1, 1-1 OIA Blue) vs. No. 6 Farrington (2-0, 1-0), Ticky Vasconcellos Stadium (Roosevelt) — The Governors were dominant in a 52-8 win over ‘Iolani. Na Menehune present a premier RB in Michael Feliciano (492 yards, nine TDs), but in recent years it was Na Menehune coach Jason Cauley’s aerial attack that caused big problems for the Govs.

No. 8 Kailua (3-0, 2-0 OIA Blue) at Aiea (1-2, 1-1) — Surfrider fans might be fuming about being ranked behind Kapolei, a team Kailua beat 20-6, but that’s only because that contest was resumed on Monday night — after pollsters submitted their Top 10 ballots. Kailua’s stingy defense showed a leak or two when Kapolei opened up its offense, moving QB Ezra Savea to wideout.

Nanakuli (1-1, 1-0 OIA D-II) vs. Kaimuki (1-1, 1-0), Kaiser Stadium — The Bulldogs haven’t started OIA D-II play 2-0 since ’11, when they won their first eight league games.

Anuenue (0-3, 0-2 OIA D-II) vs. Kalaheo (0-3, 0-2), Alex Kane Stadium (Kailua) — The Mustangs have not lost three league games to start the season since ’02 when they were still in D-I. They are 7-0 in the series with Anuenue.

Baldwin (0-2, 0-0 MIL) at Lahainaluna (1-2, 1-0) — The Bears have been outscored 113-7 in losses to Kamehameha and Mission Viejo (Calif.). The Lunas are feeling the effects of heavy graduation departures. A 14-10 loss to Kapaa was followed by last week’s 11-7 loss to KS-Maui.

Hilo (0-2, 0-0 BIIF) at Hawaii Prep (0-1, 0-0) — Last year’s Vikings pushed Kahuku hard in the state semifinals, but this season’s squad has been blanked 100-0 by ILH powerhouses Punahou and Kamehameha.

OIA RED

 OIA BLUE

 OIA D-II