“Power plant” is an apt term to describe senior center midfielder Motoki Sato’s value to the Kaiser soccer team. He’s a major supplier of voltage or, in physiological terms, the heartbeat of the Cougars.

“He’s an example of a coach’s dream of what you want out of a player,” said Kaiser coach Layne Abalos, whose Cougars go up against OIA East rival Kalani on Wednesday in a matchup of 8-0, unscored-upon teams.

“His soccer skills are off the charts. I can’t think of a high school player with better skills — his touches, his passing, to get the ball at his feet and to know where to go and where not to go. He knows how to switch (moving the ball to the other side of the field) or when to send through balls. He does our corner kicks and free kicks. That’s all unsung hero stuff. Others at the end of his kicks put it in the net and get the glory.”

Two of those players were All-State selections a year ago — the high-scoring Makana Srivongsana and Noah Mokulehua — and are deserving of that glory.

“We’ve played games without Makana and without Noah and we’ve won without them,” Abalos said. “But if we didn’t have Motoki, we would be in trouble.”

Recently, playing without Sato almost became a reality. It was feared temporarily that he needed an appendectomy. Fortunately, after a day of worry, he began to feel better and the diagnosis proved incorrect.

A run at a Division I state title is the Cougars’ No. 1 quest and it’s something they take quite seriously. And why not? In the past 10 years, Kaiser made states seven times, placing second twice, including last year.

“Oh yeah, our goal is to win states, the No. 1 priority,” Sato said. “Everything we’ve been doing the past season, practices and games, are all leading up to states. That’s what matters. If we don’t win it, it’ll be a bummer. We’re trying our hardest.”

Finding a Sato fan at neighboring Kalani is not that hard, either. Falcons coach Mike Ching gives the easy thumbs up.

“I think Motoki is Kaiser’s most important player,” Ching said. “He is the quarterback of their offense and dictates the pace of play. He has the ability to look up and play a very dangerous ball in one or two touches, but also slow the game down and play simple and pass the ball around. He is the most dangerous on his corner kicks and free kicks. His ability to serve balls with pace and bend makes it very difficult to defend. He seems to be able to put it where he wants to. He almost single-handedly beat us last year with his service on corner kicks. I also think if you look at their run in states last year, he was a key factor in their wins over ‘Iolani and Baldwin. I think they were all set pieces served by him. He also plays more of a defensive midfield role, so he is vital to the defense for Kaiser. His job is to sit in the space in front of the back line and win balls for them.”

Indeed, defense and the counter-attacking ball distribution that follows are things Sato takes seriously.

“I am more of a defensive midfielder,” he said. “I started out as a defender and that’s what carries me in the game.”

As for that keen passing ability that coaches rave about, Sato is mindful of trying to make pinpoint plays.

“I try to get the ball exactly at their foot when they need it or playing it in front of them to space so they can run to it,” he said.

That attitude underscores Sato’s selflessness and team-oriented focus.

“One player does not make the whole team,” he added. “It’s gotta be everyone’s cooperation.”

Leadership, passing ability, field generalship and defensive prowess make up one mighty bundle in Sato, who will be off to play for Humboldt State in Arcata, Calif., next season.

That may give a bit of relief for opposing coaches like Ching, but for Abalos, it will certainly be a difficult transition.

“Motoki is probably the most level-headed kid I’ve ever met, ” Abalos said. “I’m sure he knows he’s super good, but he never shows it. I’ve never heard him say anything about his ability. He is so respectful and always shakes my hand before and after practices and games. During games, he’ll ask me stuff, whether it’s personal or about the team — like ‘How do you think we’re doing?’ in a certain aspect of the game. It’s amazing. I’ll miss him to death.”