The tenacious nature of Kamehameha’s offensive line has been a constant.
In 2019, the Warriors intend to continue that tradition, but the tempo has been tweaked. Defense and running the ball, Warriors coach Abu Ma‘afala said, are not enough anymore.
“Where we got caught in past years, we would run the ball well and emphasize being physical, but we weren’t executing on the edges. We need to make big jumps,” Ma‘afala said. “The days of just standing behind your defense for an entire game are gone. Offenses are so innovative now, there are systems and guys out there who can score at will.”
Even as the play clock has changed from 25 seconds to 40 this season, Kamehameha is going to play fast-break football.
“I told our kids, for our whole season, we’ve got to play Big 12 football. We’re going to be play in shootouts every week. We need 20 to 25 plays a quarter on offense alone. On defense, we’ve got to bend and not break, find our spots and get the ball back to the offense so we can score. That’s what football all over the country, especially in high school, you’ve got to be able to score,” Ma‘afala said. “Even I’ve had to adjust my thought process. I was, early on, I’m a defensive guy. We’re going to play great defense, stop guys and battle in these low-scoring games. Unfortunately, those days are gone. You’ve got to score points in order to win games.”
Kamehameha opens the season at Kahuku, then plays at Punahou. Quite the 1-2 combo for any program.
“It’s just about getting our players settled in as fast as we can so that we can just play the way I know we can play. It just comes down to confidence,” Ma‘afala said.
Last fall, the merged regular-season schedule for ILH and Oahu Interscholastic Association teams gave the Warriors a full nine-game slate. They went 4-6 overall, including a win at Carson (Calif.). Losses to Punahou and Saint Louis dotted the slate, but Kamehameha also picked up wins over Kapolei, Farrington and Waianae to go 3-4 in the ILH standings.
The season ended with a 35-0 playoff loss to Punahou. This season, former Pac-Five quarterback P.J. Minaya, who was a key recruiter for Pacific University of late, and Preston Pires are the co-offensive coordinators. Minaya was a prolific playmaker in high school, operating out of a four-wide shotgun attack.
“I’m very pleased with them working with (quarterbacks) coach (Vince) Acohido,” Ma‘afala said.
The task could have been daunting. Returning quarterback Christmas Togiai told Ma‘afala in early summer that he would not play as a senior. Togiai is a superb athlete who was a Star-Advertiser All-State Fab 15 selection in basketball, and also started on the volleyball team.
“Even before he decided (on leaving football), he wanted to play receiver coming into the season. Christmas, I love him very much. His heart is with basketball. Especially now with us being in the Open (Division), so if your heart’s not all the way here, you can’t play because you’re going to get hurt,” Ma‘afala said.
The O-line has confidence in Kiai Keone, who split time at QB with Togiai last season.
“He’s been playing with us awhile, so we’re not losing that much experience,” center Rev Lorenzo added. “He’s got it down pretty well, maybe small things here and there. Most of the time, we’re in sync.”
“The biggest thing for him is stepping up and becoming vocal,” left tackle Kuao Peihopa added.
Keone is also in a battle with Jonah Yuen for the starting role. Whoever wins the QB job will have cornerstone teammates on the offensive unit. Skyler Ramos has moved from wide receiver to slot.
Wideout Ku Correa has returned bigger and stronger. H-back Titus Maunakea has made the switch from wide receiver. He could turn out to be invaluable as a versatile, Swiss Army knife weapon.
State hurdles champion Tanner Moku, son of former track and field coach Sam Moku, has moved from defensive back to running back. His dad was a DB at Hawaii, but Kamehameha needs the younger Moku’s breakaway ability.
“He’s a home run hitter,” Ma‘afala said.
Another DB making the switch to RB is Kawika Clemente.
The offensive line, always one of the state’s best at grinding out run-heavy game plans, is buoyed by returning starters Kuao Peihopa and Lorenzo. At 6 feet, 3 inches and 280 pounds, Peihopa made the transition from defense last year, dropping 26 pounds. He is now one of the top left tackles in the islands. The junior has scholarship offers from Hawaii, Arizona State, Wisconsin, Nebraska and Washington, according to Ma‘afala.
Defensively, the Warriors have been elite, but lost key players to graduation. Gone are DL Kupono Blake (Air Force), LB Hoku Arias, LB Akalea Kapono (Navy) and DB Tiger Peterson (Hawaii).
Micah Lilo will get more action in the box, lining up at linebacker this season.
“He’s a hybrid, a thicker version of Tiger,” Ma‘afala said.
Dane Maeva, a defensive end last year, will play a bit more in space as a linebacker. The Warriors will be young, but deep at ’backer with senior Kamanao Gilliland, and juniors Tui Ickes, Harrison Donato and Josh Kaaina.
“Structurally, there’s been a change. These guys are not just flying around making plays. We’re having to just fix the little things from a schematic standpoint,” Ma‘afala noted.
At cornerback, Paliku Kamaka, Chance Kaleikoa and Taylor Scott Wong are quite capable.
At safety, sophomore Eva Rau and senior Tevin Torres are the top candidates.
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KAMEHAMEHA WARRIORS
>> Head coach: Abu Maafala, fourth season, 11-17 (.393)
>> Last year: 4-5, 3-4 ILH Open
>> Honolulu Star-Advertiser All-State selections returning: None
>> Honolulu Star-Advertiser All-State selections lost to graduation: Lokahi Pauole (first-team OL); Kupono Blake (first-team DE); Hoku Arias (second-team LB); Tiger Peterson (second-team DB)
SCHEDULE
Date | Opponent | Time
>> 8/10 at Kahuku, 6:30 p.m.
>> 8/16 at Punahou, 3:15 p.m.
>> 8/23 at Fagaitua (Samoa), 7 p.m.
>> 9/6 at Saint Louis,* 6 p.m.
>> 9/14 at Mililani,* 4:45 p.m.
>> 9/21 at Farrington, 6:30 p.m.
>> 9/27 at Kapolei, 7:30 p.m.
>> 10/4 at Waianae, 7:30 p.m.
>> 10/12 at Campbell, 6:30 p.m.
* — @Aloha Stadium
