Punahou football primed and ready

Second place in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu was not the desired result a year ago for the Punahou football team.

Although it was a step down after four straight championships, it might be a good idea for opponents this season not to take that as a sign of the Buffanblu’s demise. They were 8-0 until two straight losses to Saint Louis, including a 27-23 defeat in the ILH playoffs.

Still deep at most positions, Punahou — ranked No. 3 in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s preseason poll — is primed for another attack on what every player believes should be theirs, the ILH crown.

“It’s a tremendous league,” Buffanblu coach Kale Ane said during practice Monday. “We love to compete against a guy who is committed to playing for Alabama (Saint Louis QB Tua Tagovailoa). He’s a great kid and he has great receivers and they have a great staff. It’s always fun. And there’s a new energy with (first-year coach) Abu Ma’afala at Kamehameha. It’s a chess match for coaches and a physical battle for kids. We won twice last year against Kamehameha, but those games weren’t decided until the end of fourth quarter. I have to remind people that we didn’t roll over teams. We beat Saint Louis in double overtime the first time before losing two close ones.”

There are two places on the Punahou roster where Ane will be relying on new starters — running back and offensive line. You don’t just snap your fingers and replace three-year starter Wayne Taulapapa in the backfield. On a rebuilt offensive line, senior Eric Klemmer is the only returning starter. Another senior, Jack-Eli Tufono, who goes both ways as a lineman, is coming back from an ACL injury.

Ane said Enoch Nawahine, Sitiveni Kaufusi and Cortez Feria will form a “running back by committee,” at least early in the season.

Once again, Punahou has two capable quarterbacks in senior Nick Kapule and junior Stephen Barber.

“Whoever it is that’s going to be (the starter) will be a great asset to the program,” Ane said. “We are lucky to have a quality backup, especially playing in such a tough league. That competition makes us all better.”

Wide receiver is the deepest position for the Buffanblu, by far. Seniors Ethan Takeyama, Judd Cockett, Eamon Brady, Chris Kobayashi and Keala Martinson and junior Cole Arceneaux all enjoyed productive seasons a year ago. Junior Andrei Iosivas has been impressive in scrimmages, too.

Defensively, senior ends Miki Suguturaga and Tufono (when he returns) form the front line along with junior noseguard Hale Motuapuaka. Senior Jaimin Keliihoomalu and sophomore Noah-Falcon Kaumatule add depth up front.

Senior outside linebacker Seyddrick Lakalaka, a team leader and returning starter, will be out with a foot injury until deep in the season. Alex Skelton in the middle and Logan Williams on the outside, two seniors, will set the pace, and sophomore Maninoa Tufono will take Lakalaka’s spot for the time being.

Senior safety Ryan Dominick, who Ane said is “big and physical,” returns in the defensive backfield. Senior Aaron Woo and junior Ola Aina are among the leaders of a deep group back there.

The athletes are in place for Punahou, but exactly which direction is the momentum pointing for the Buffanblu as a program?

“We have a strong nucleus of seniors this year who are really stepping up into leadership roles, and we really learned a lot from last year’s seniors who were great leaders,” Jack-Eli Tufono said. “We also have a lot of young guys who can step up and play.”

Added Martinson, the receiver: “I think we’re really good this year. We’ve got some young guys really stepping up, especially on defense, guys showing what they’ve got. We had a players meeting and talked about what we want to accomplish this year. Obviously, our goal is to win states. Along with that, we gotta put in the work, which I think we’re doing right now and we’re looking pretty good.”