‘Iolani’s Tai-John Mizutani is taking charge

Tai-John Mizutani naturally tends to stand out on ‘Iolani’s Eddie Hamada Field.

At a lean 6 feet 2, the Raider quarterback’s quick release commands attention during drills. As a third-year starter, his experience gives him a place of prominence — and thus increased responsibility — in the program’s culture.

“I think the biggest thing right now is just having more of a leadership role,” Mizutani said after a sweltering practice session.

“My first two years I was blessed to have two senior classes that were vocal leaders and leaders on and off the field. Taking that role is a good feeling and it’s a lot of pressure, especially with the amount of youth we have this year.”

Mizutani’s turn to shepherd the Raider underclassmen as part of the senior class comes as a relatively green group prepares for the program’s return to the Division II level.

Teams have until Sept. 1 to finalize their state tournament classification, but 27th-year coach Wendell Look sees Division II as the right fit for a 36-player roster he calls “my smallest team by far in my whole career. Smallest and probably most inexperienced, especially up front.”

With less than a handful of players over 200 pounds, ‘Iolani’s longtime emphasis on quickness and precision figures to be amplified this season. A young offensive line will work to provide Mizutani time to build upon a first-team All-ILH season during which he averaged 210 passing yards per game. He also threw 17 touchdown passes against nine interceptions against a Division I schedule.

In return, Mizutani’s command of the offense can ease the pressure on the line.

“Having a guy like Tai-John back there is so helpful to the line,” Look said. “He’ll be able to make his reads quickly and get the ball out, hand the ball off when he needs to.”

Much of the Raiders’ depth and experience is concentrated in a receiver corps led by senior Justin Genovia.

Genovia caught 83 passes for 1,135 yards and seven touchdowns on his way to second-team All-State honors. The Raiders also return Jonah Miyazawa (40, 397, 2) and Rayden Kaneshiro (32, 322, 4) and Drake Shigemura, (12, 159, 2).

“With this receiving group … we’ve stuck together since our ninth grade year, so I know their speed, I know their tendencies. Now I just have to focus on the defense,” Mizutani said.

KJ Pascua completed his three-year varsity career by rushing for 952 yards and 16 touchdowns last year and “one guy cannot replace him, so were going to do it by committee,” Look said.

Junior Kaua Nishigaya is part of that mix and also one of the leading returnees in the defensive secondary along with classmate Kyler Mento.

Look said most of the linemen will play on both sides of the ball and senior Max Chaisomkuhn (6-2, 260) could be “an every down type of player.” Senior Jake Angelo, at 5 feet 10 and pushing 170 pounds, will play a leading role on the defensive line after converting from outside linebacker.

“He’s not a big guy, but he’s a tough kid,” Look said. “He’s a wrestler, he’s tough as nails. We’re going to rely on him to be very versatile and do a lot of movement with him in terms of positioning trying to use his quickness.”

2017 schedule

All games at Kozuki Stadium on ‘Iolani campus unless noted.

>> Aug. 12: Hilo, 2:30 p.m.

>> Aug. 26: Kaimuki, 3 p.m.

>> Sept. 2*: Damien, 2 p.m.

>> Sept. 8: St. Francis, 3:15 p.m.

>> Sept. 16**: Pac-Five, 3 p.m.

>> Sept. 22: Damien, 3:15 p.m.

>> Sept. 29**: St. Francis, 4:45 p.m.

>> Oct. 7: Pac-Five, 3 p.m.

>> ILH PLAYOFF, TBA

* @ Skippa Diaz Stadium

** @ Aloha Stadium

>> Head coach: Wendell Look, 27th season (178-129-2)

>> Last year: (5-8, 0-6 ILH D-I); Lost 33-0 to Saint Louis in the ILH D-I playoffs, beat Moanalua 17-14 in the D-I state tournament first round, beat Campbell 35-12 in D-I state tournament semifinals, lost 31-20 to Mililani in the D-I state final

>> Key offensive returnees: Tai-John Mizutani, Sr., QB, 6-2, 180; Justin Genovia, Sr., WR, 5-9, 170; Drake Shigemura, Sr., SB, 5-9 160; Charles Kam, Sr., OL, 6-3, 240; Aki Iwakiri, Jr., OL, 5-9, 190.

>> Key defensive returnees: Max Chaisomkhun, DL, Sr., 6-2, 260; Jake Angelo, Sr., DB, 5-10, 175; Kyler Mento, Jr., DB, 5-7, 160; Kaua Nishigaya, Jr., DB, 5-7, 150.

>> Raiders with Division I FBS college offers: None