For many players and coaches, success has nothing to do with individual postseason honors and accolades.
Nothing more than bells and whistles.
Yet, media and coaches vote anyway, and when they selected Keala Santiago of Kahuku the Star-Advertiser All-State Defensive Player of the Year, they did it with conviction.
The 6-foot, 185-pound safety was a near-unanimous selection after a resounding senior year. He was the quarterback of Kahuku’s shutdown defense with seven interceptions, including two pick-6s.
“Keala is a ball-hawker. We played them two years in a row and he had three picks on us,” Mililani coach Rod York said. “He’s like a coach on the field. You can tell he does a lot of film study because he’s always in the right position. Not only that, he can finish. He puts his offense in good field position or takes it to the house.”
Santiago’s experience, preparation and leadership helped kick-start the Red Raiders to a 13-0 state championship season. Kahuku coach Vavae Tata had high praise for Santiago: “It’s been an honor to coach Keala because the lineage he comes from is distinguished. He is a true student of the game. He is someone you don’t have to worry much about because he is always around the ball. He’s a quiet leader, but when he speaks, everybody listens because he has earned that respect. He has played a lot of football and I can’t wait to watch him during his college career.”
Santiago currently has scholarship offers from Army, Colorado, Hawaii, Navy and UNLV.
“I’m not a person that likes to talk a lot. I like to lead by example than by yelling at people. Share with my teammates whatever I can do to help (make) them better or (make) myself better,” Santiago said. “I pretty much talk whenever something needs to be done or something is important.”
Learning a new system under a new head coach was a major priority, but his position coach — father Louis Santiago, a former Kahuku star athlete — let him know that a great season could be in the making.
“My dad was talking about it all year, what I could do and if I kept it up, then I could possibly be the player of the year. It stuck in my head and I did the best I could, playing the game I love,” Keala said. “I feel very blessed and honored. It all starts with the coaches and my teammates. Without them, this wouldn’t happen.”
Top vote-getters behind Santiago were linebacker Isaac Slade-Matautia of Saint Louis, linebacker Manaia Atuaia and defensive end Bradlee Anae of Kahuku, and linebacker Jordan Loveni Iosefa of Saint Louis.
Voting for Offensive Player of the Year was tighter, but record-breaking Vavae Malepeai of Mililani outpointed Tua Tagovailoa of Saint Louis and Kesi Ah-Hoy of Kahuku.
Malepeai rushed for a whopping 1,930 yards and 28 touchdowns on 227 carries as the defending state champions reached the state-tournament semifinal round. The University of Oregon commit finished his career with 4,549 rushing yards and 71 rushing TDs, both state records.
He will play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Jan. 9 at San Antonio. After that, it’s a countdown until graduation and departure to Eugene, Ore.
“I’m pretty sure it’s going to be hectic,” he said after a recent official visit to the Oregon campus. “Everyone was telling me there’s literally no down time. By the time you get home, you’re kind of just exhausted and crash.”
Other top vote-getters were Ace Faumui of Radford, Kumoku Noa of Kamehameha, Kalakaua Timoteo of Mililani, Michael Eletise of Kaiser and McKenzie Milton of Mililani.
Malepeai was all business on and off the field, a throwback kind of playmaker with power and finesse. There was always an element of “Sweetness” to his effort during and in between plays. His coach, York, likened him to another old-school Hall of Famer.
“He’s like a Barry Sanders. He’s humble and does everything right, and he’s a great teammate, too,” York said. “People don’t know this, but he works out two times a day sometimes. He works out seven days a week. That’s probably what separates him from everybody else: his attitude and his work ethic.”
Tata was voted Coach of the Year by a wide margin after guiding the Red Raiders to their first state title since 2012. Tata was especially integral to installing Kahuku’s stingy defensive schemes, which led to seven games of shutting out opposing offenses.
“We didn’t know what was going on or what was going to happen,” Santiago said. “As a team we got together and said that we needed to trust him and buy into his game plan because he really knows what he’s doing, and it worked. He preached to us, ‘Every day, you’re getting better or you’re getting worse. Nobody stays the same.’ We knew it would take a lot of sacrifice and hard work.”
Tata got his players to completely buy into a philosophy of team-first goals. That included a no-frills, smashmouth “Elephant” offensive formation that did not include any wide receivers. Individual glory and media attention are, in his terminology, “bells and whistles.” But he pushed for his entire defensive unit to be on the All-State first team.
As it was, eight of his defensive starters were voted to first team, a number that beat the seven earned by the 2012 Kahuku and 1997 Saint Louis squads.
“What he did is tremendous, coming in his first year,” said York, who was last year’s coach of the year. “All the shutouts and going undefeated. It’s just amazing, but it’s not a surprise. Vae is a very smart guy. Yeah, he’s loaded with talent, but Kahuku hasn’t always finished out on top. For Vae to go through injuries, not having his starting quarterback, it’s a credit to him, his coaching staff and his team.”
Cal Lee, who led Saint Louis to the ILH title and the state-tournament final, and Fred Salanoa of Division II state champion Radford were the other top vote-getters. Also receiving votes were Joseph Wong of Kailua, Walter Young of Waianae, Brad Uemoto of Konawaena, Phillip Rapozo of Kapaa and York.
Malepeai and Tata share a strong bloodline. Malepeai’s father, Amako, is one of Tata’s older brothers. The younger Vavae was named after his uncle.
ALL-STATE FOOTBALL TEAM
FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
| POS. |
NAME |
SCHOOL |
HT. |
WT. |
YR. |
| OL |
Michael Eletise |
Kaiser |
6-4 |
310 |
Sr. |
| OL |
Nate Herbig |
Saint Louis |
6-4 |
330 |
Sr. |
| OL |
Andru Tovi |
Mililani |
6-2 |
310 |
Sr. |
| OL |
Sean Auwae |
Kapolei |
6-5 |
300 |
Sr. |
| OL |
Tamatoa Neher |
Kahuku |
6-3 |
290 |
Sr. |
| REC |
Kalakaua Timoteo |
Mililani |
6-2 |
200 |
Sr. |
| REC |
Kumoku Noa |
Kamehameha |
6-0 |
180 |
Sr. |
| REC |
Keoni-Kordell Makekau |
‘Iolani |
5-10 |
168 |
Sr. |
| RB |
Vavae Malepeai |
Mililani |
6-0 |
205 |
Sr. |
| RB |
Wayne Taulapapa |
Punahou |
5-11 |
205 |
Sr. |
| QB |
Tua Tagovailoa |
Saint Louis |
6-1 |
210 |
Jr. |
| U |
Kesi Ah-Hoy |
Kahuku |
6-0 |
215 |
Jr. |
DEFENSE
| POS. |
NAME |
SCHOOL |
HT. |
WT. |
YR. |
| DT |
Alema Kapoi |
Kamehameha |
6-0 |
275 |
Sr. |
| DT |
Jess Kanongataa |
Kahuku |
5-11 |
210 |
Sr. |
| DE |
Bradlee Anae |
Kahuku |
6-4 |
220 |
Sr. |
| DE |
Christian Mejia |
Kailua |
6-4 |
210 |
Jr. |
| LB |
Hirkley Latu |
Kahuku |
6-4 |
205 |
Sr. |
| LB |
Tainoa Foster |
Kamehameha |
6-2 |
205 |
Sr. |
| LB |
Manaia Atuaia |
Kahuku |
6-1 |
220 |
Sr. |
| CB |
Kekaula Kaniho |
Kahuku |
6-0 |
170 |
Jr. |
| CB |
Stokes Botelho |
Kahuku |
5-8 |
140 |
Jr. |
| S |
Keala Santiago |
Kahuku |
6-0 |
185 |
Sr. |
| S |
La’akea Kahoohanohano-Davis |
Baldwin |
6-1 |
180 |
Sr. |
| U |
Aaron Tapusoa |
Kahuku |
5-8 |
208 |
Sr. |
SPECIALISTS
| POS. |
NAME |
SCHOOL |
HT. |
WT. |
YR. |
| PK |
Jet Toner |
Punahou |
6-4 |
190 |
Sr. |
| P |
Kekoa Sasaoka |
Kahuku |
5-11 |
205 |
Sr. |
| RET |
Kumoku Noa |
Kamehameha |
6-0 |
180 |
Sr. |
SECOND TEAM
OFFENSE
| POS. |
NAME |
SCHOOL |
HT. |
WT. |
YR. |
| OL |
Jed Heffernan |
Kahuku |
6-0 |
262 |
Sr. |
| OL |
Tytus Timoteo |
Saint Louis |
6-0 |
335 |
Sr. |
| OL |
Vili Fisiiahi |
Kahuku |
5-10 |
260 |
Jr. |
| OL |
John Kapua |
Waianae |
6-0 |
250 |
Sr. |
| OL |
Julius Pedro Muasau |
Punahou |
5-11 |
270 |
Sr. |
| REC |
Jeremy McGoldrick |
Castle |
5-7 |
140 |
Jr. |
| REC |
Ty-Noah Williams |
Kapolei |
5-10 |
175 |
Sr. |
| REC |
Ethan Takeyama |
Punahou |
5-8 |
155 |
Jr. |
| RB |
Challen Faamatau |
Farrington |
5-10 |
193 |
Jr. |
| RB |
Jensen McDaniel |
Kaiser |
5-10 |
170 |
Sr. |
| QB |
McKenzie Milton |
Mililani |
6-0 |
180 |
Sr. |
| U |
Ace Faumui |
Radford |
6-3 |
205 |
Sr. |
DEFENSE
| POS. |
NAME |
SCHOOL |
HT. |
WT. |
YR. |
| DT |
Aleki Vimahi |
Kahuku |
6-4 |
250 |
Jr. |
| DT |
Jonny Morrison |
Kapolei |
6-2 |
230 |
Sr. |
| DE |
Kaimana Padello |
Mililani |
6-0 |
200 |
Sr. |
| DE |
Tanielu Evaimalo |
Saint Louis |
6-2 |
240 |
Sr. |
| LB |
Isaac Slade-Matautia |
Saint Louis |
6-0 |
220 |
Jr. |
| LB |
Laakea Look |
Punahou |
6-1 |
220 |
Sr. |
| LB |
Pesa Lefau |
Kahuku |
6-0 |
215 |
Sr. |
| CB |
Ronson Timbreza |
Saint Louis |
5-10 |
160 |
Sr. |
| CB |
Mosiah Brame |
Waianae |
6-0 |
165 |
Sr. |
| S |
Jalen Saole |
Saint Louis |
6-0 |
165 |
Jr. |
| S |
Charles Watson |
Leilehua |
6-1 |
185 |
Jr. |
| U |
Netane Muti |
Leilehua |
6-4 |
280 |
Sr. |
SPECIALISTS
| POS. |
NAME |
SCHOOL |
HT. |
WT. |
YR. |
| PK |
Kekoa Sasaoka |
Kahuku |
5-11 |
205 |
Sr. |
| P |
Jet Toner |
Punahou |
6-4 |
190 |
Sr. |
| RET |
Keala Santiago |
Kahuku |
5-11 |
205 |
Sr. |
THIRD TEAM
OFFENSE
| POS. |
NAME |
SCHOOL |
HT. |
WT. |
YR. |
| OL |
Keenan Eldredge |
Punahou |
6-2 |
270 |
Sr. |
| OL |
Nilsson Gaisoa |
Kailua |
6-5 |
270 |
Sr. |
| OL |
Chris-Jordan Ulufale |
Kamehameha |
6-3 |
322 |
Sr. |
| OL |
Joshua Hauanio |
‘Iolani |
6-4 |
301 |
Sr. |
| OL |
Atapana Amosa |
Campbell |
6-2 |
315 |
Sr. |
| REC |
Noah Esprecion |
Campbell |
5-8 |
155 |
Sr. |
| REC |
Drew Kobayashi |
Saint Louis |
6-2 |
195 |
Sr. |
| REC |
Kingston Moses-Sanchez |
Farrington |
5-11 |
175 |
Jr. |
| RB |
Michael Feliciano |
Moanalua |
5-10 |
185 |
Sr. |
| RB |
Harmon Brown |
Kahuku |
5-11 |
185 |
Jr. |
| QB |
Noah Auld |
Kailua |
6-2 |
205 |
Sr. |
| U |
Billy Masima |
Kaimuki |
6-2 |
215 |
Jr. |
DEFENSE
| POS. |
NAME |
SCHOOL |
HT. |
WT. |
YR. |
| DT |
Patamo Soa |
Punahou |
6-1 |
305 |
Sr. |
| DT |
Aaron Faumui |
Radford |
6-3 |
250 |
So. |
| DE |
Christian Naeole |
‘Iolani |
5-9 |
196 |
Sr. |
| DE |
Dillon Sunday |
Radford |
6-0 |
240 |
Sr. |
| LB |
Jordan Loveni Iosefa |
Saint Louis |
6-2 |
220 |
Sr. |
| LB |
Jordan Walker |
Radford |
6-2 |
225 |
Jr. |
| LB |
Dylan Toilolo |
Saint Louis |
5-8 |
190 |
So. |
| CB |
Aaron Woo |
Punahou |
5-8 |
150 |
Jr. |
| CB |
Sipa Leafa |
Radford |
6-1 |
180 |
Jr. |
| S |
Jay Amina |
Kapolei |
5-10 |
190 |
Sr. |
| S |
Codie Sauvao |
Kahuku |
5-11 |
180 |
Jr. |
| U |
Nic Tom |
Kaiser |
5-9 |
180 |
Sr. |
SPECIALISTS
| POS. |
NAME |
SCHOOL |
HT. |
WT. |
YR. |
| PK/P |
Adam Stack |
Kamehameha |
6-2 |
170 |
Jr. |
| RET |
Michael Feliciano |
Moanalua |
5-10 |
185 |
Sr. |
HONORABLE MENTION
OL
Devin Ide, ‘Iolani
John-Wendell Nisa, Kaimuki
Tayvis Passos, Radford
Russel Montibon, KS-Hawaii
Mealofa Sevao, Farrington
Sione Veikoso, Kailua
Talatonu Von-Koppel, Radford
Mo Unutoa, Kapaa
Kalei Hoewaa, Baldwin
Issac Pascua, Nanakuli
Ra Elkington, Kahuku
REC
Andrew Simanu, Waipahu
Ty Keough, Leilehua
Bryson Ventura, Mililani
Kame Kim Choy-Keb-Ah Lo, Aiea
Martin Tigilau, Kailua
Keanu Momoa, Nanakuli
Isaiah Freeney, Waianae
Kamakana Ching, Konawaena
Blaise Manabe, Radford
Taje Akaka, Baldwin
Thomas Reid, Radford
Shayne Teruya, Roosevelt
Jaymin Sarono, Kapolei
Eamon Brady, Punahou
Nick Kennedy, ‘Iolani
Cliff Cunningham, Nanakuli
RB
Javen Towne, Waianae
K.J. Pascua, ‘Iolani
Algene Kelekolio, Konawaena
Saitaua Lefau, Saint Louis
Kaeo Bacatan, KS-Hawaii
Sefa Ameperosa, Kahuku
Jurick Valdez, Waianae
LeRod Tongi, Kahuku
Kodi Ongory-Mathias, Radford
QB
Nick Kapule, Punahou
Ephraim Tuliloa, Punahou
Taulia Tagovailoa, Kapolei
Alaka’i Yuen, Moanalua
Bishop Rapoza, Farrington
Austin Ewing, Konawaena
Quintin Iriarte, Radford
Austin Ewing, Konawaena
Thomas Yam, Kamehameha
UTIL (Offense)
Fatu Sua-Godinet, Kamehameha
DT
Sidney Fonohema, Baldwin
Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa, Kapolei
Austin Santos-Johnson, Konawaena
Joey Nuuanu-Kuhiiki, Waianae
Micah Atuatasi, Waianae
Kawehe Kohatsu, Kailua
DE
Ola Tatofi, Kapaa
Courtney Paaga, Damien
Tainano Gaulua, Farrington
Chanston Akiona, Kapolei
Sione Vea, Kalani
Chance Kalaugher, Kaiser
Isaac Liva, Mililani
LB
Melvin Hoomanawanui, ‘Iolani
Mosese Fifita, Kapaa
Maa Tanuvasa, Mililani
Parker Higgins, Kaiser
Jalen Olomua, Mililani
Shawn Borges, Damien
Jaylen Gonzales, Waianae
David Faletoi, Radford
James Gentile, Kaimuki
Noah Kealoha, Waianae
Randy Manewa, Nanakuli
Seyddrick Lakalaka, Punahou
Omar Mareko, Kapolei
Andrew Aneki, Farrington
Nicholas Kernaghan, Campbell
CB
Alexcio Meyers, Nanakuli
Austin Westbrook-Keliinoi, Waianae
Lancen Kuni, Waialua
S
Kyle Bender, Moanalua
Tielu Mamea, Mililani
Koolau Feltman, Kamehameha
Alexander Quijano, Waianae
Christian Acorda, Farrington
Dallas Mata, Hilo
Ramsey Tacadena, Mililani
Gage Asing, Aiea
Cameron Howes, Konawaena
Myles Mikasobe-King, Campbell
Ikaika Paaoao-Ahina, Waianae
Isaiah Tufaga, Saint Louis
Kalei Kealoha-Machado, Kailua
Helam Baldomero, Iolani
PK
Keoni-Kordell Makekau, ‘Iolani
Connor Murakami, Leilehua
Clifton Oliver, Kapaa
Beau Meyer, Kapolei
Cody Lau, Aiea
P
Nau Filiai, Lahainaluna
Billy Masima, Kaimuki
Makana Roque-Gonzales, Waianae
Kame Kim Choy-Keb-Ah Lo, Aiea
RET
La’akea Kahoohanohano-Davis, Baldwin
Blaise Manabe, Radford
Andrew Neves, Kaimuki
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