Hurricanes don’t stop believing

Optimism is at an all-time high at Kapolei for the football team as it embarks on a new season.

That’s because June Jones sent shock waves through the state in January when he joined head coach Darren Hernandez to be the Hurricanes’ offensive coordinator.

A famous OC and the high spirits it brought is one thing. Translating that change to on-field success is another.

One thing is for sure. The players are believing.

“The hunger we have for the upcoming season … everyone is just ready to ball,” sophomore quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa said during a break in practice Friday, a day before he was offered a football scholarship to Alabama. “All our chips are in. All the upcoming juniors and seniors to be, we’re all in.”

Junior linebacker Rocky Savea spoke for those on the defensive side of the ball.

“I know we’re going to go far,” Savea said. “Our whole team believes it. June Jones has brought a lot to the offense and the defense is looking good. Solid, as usual.”

With Tagovailoa enjoying a big-time season (2,784 passing yards) as a frosh a year ago, the Hurricanes made it as far as the OIA quarterfinals. Now, with one year of experience under his belt along with the tutelage of one of the best offensive minds in the country at any level, Tagovailoa and the offense look to be scarier. Add that physical, fast and experienced defense to the mix and it’s not hard to imagine Kapolei advancing farther.

“June Jones is going to do tremendous things,” Hernandez said. “He does what he does. Defense is something we’ve (always) held our hat on. We’ve got seven returning guys on defense and a lot of other guys who have played a lot of snaps. We’re not quite where we want to be, but I think going against Punahou (Thursday scrimmage) was a great test for us.”

Hernandez spoke about some of the defensive playmakers: “It starts on the defensive line with Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa (a 6-foot-4, 270-pound senior). He’s very, very active and can play end, tackle and nose tackle. Junior Tuia (6-2, 260) at nose tackle and Dylan Naehu (6-2, 245), who played a lot as sophomores, will be starting. We don’t like 350-pound guys on the D-line. You gotta be runners and hitters. If you can’t move, you can’t play.”

Kapolei has plenty of depth and physicality at linebacker, with Savea and seniors Omar Mareko, Tyler Vasega and Geoffrey Fiafaimane among the many taking charge.

Senior Leonard Lee will quarterback the secondary, according to Hernandez, and senior Kekoa Kaopuiki is another returner anchoring that group. Senior Ezra Savea, who is slotted as a receiver, can also play safety, and it sure doesn’t hurt that he can play quarterback, too.

“We run as a team and lift weights as a team,” Vasega said. “This team emphasizes team like never before. If you’re wearing the wrong color of T-shirt or not following the dress code, everybody pays. We went over to scrimmage Punahou and we glimpsed them weightlifting, treating it like it was any other practice. We came in full uniform. We came to play. We wanted to prove to them and other schools that we are contenders. We lost by only one touchdown, but it was our mistakes that led to the loss.”

Hernandez thought the offensive line looked sharp against Punahou.

“The O-linemen, they’re physical and they have understanding of the concepts. They’re not tall, but they get the job done. Josiah Haywood, our center, is only 5-7 on a tall day, but he’s tough, smart, stout and has great snaps every time. Left tackle Akoni Kapihe and guard Donte Keliiholokai (two seniors) are A-listers. Kapihe doesn’t look for trouble, but if trouble comes to him, he’s ready. He’s not flamboyant, but he hammers people.”

Added Jones about Kapihe: “That left tackle can play. He’s going to be a center in D-I (college) and a starter.” Hernandez said Jones thinks Keliiholokai is also a D-I prospect.

Among the offensive playmakers at slotback are seniors Jaymin Sarono and Wyatt Perez. Others in the skill positions are nursing injuries, including senior slotback/running back LJ Esperas and junior receiver Marquise Montgomery. Senior Leighton Rosa, a productive slotback from a year ago, has moved to defensive back.