Down in the trenches, no living creature is safe.
Fighting for inches, opposing forces amassing thousands of collective pounds clash, clang and maul each other for 48 minutes. Eventually, one side gains advantage. One side takes control of the contest through sheer will, sprinkled with healthy doses of technique, positioning and strategy.
Iosepa Lyman began his football life at Punahou there. No glory, lots of guts. As a defensive lineman, he held down the fort as a fifth grader. He has since transformed into a four-position, two-way contributor who also has multiple duties on special teams. He is listed in oversimplified fashion on the Punahou roster: 5-foot-11, 200 pounds, running back.
His first experience as a Buffanblu left an impression seven years ago.
“My first memory is going to practice, it was a Tuesday. It was my first day, so I just watched. It was, ‘Oh, crud, I’m actually going to play football. The next day, they asked what position I play. I said, ‘D-line.’ I wasn’t built like a nose guard, but that’s the first position they put me at,” Lyman said. “My dad said, ‘Wherever they put you, just give it your all.’”
This season, Lyman’s statistics in terms of yardage and touchdowns are moderate: 31 carries, 103 rushing yards, four rushing touchdowns; 22 receptions, 265 yards, two receiving TDs. There are playmakers aplenty on the roster, from Astin Hange to Noah Macapulay to Zion White. Kicker Carson Beard lights up the scoreboard compared to Lyman.
However, his value is in a currency that trench men understand on a survival basis in the merciless Open Division. Lyman’s positions are off the chart: running back, wide receiver, defensive line, linebacker, long snapper, special teams coverage. It’s a monumental effort for every title-contending team that leads to continual improvement despite failure. Punahou has evolved since losing consecutive games at Centennial (Calif.), 50-43; and Campbell, 38-23, in September. The Buffanblu then went 4-0 in ILH Open Division play and will meet OIA runner-up Kahuku on Saturday in the state semifinals.
“Any one of the other three (Open) teams is a really good team. I wouldn’t say the preparation is going to be different (for Kahuku). Just knowing what happened when we played them last year at Mililani is going to help us prepare,” Lyman said.
In 2022, Punahou defeated Mililani in the semifinals 52-24, then lost to Kahuku 20-0 for the title. This year, Kahuku reached No. 8 in the MaxPreps national rankings. Then Mililani upset the two-time defending state champions last week for the OIA title.
“Everybody’s just hungry to beat them because of the feeling we have from last season. When we were up on the mainland, everyone was doubting that we would have a chance of winning (against Centennial). Even though we fell short, it was a big statement for us. The loss to Campbell motivated us even more,” he said. “It pushed us to work even harder. There’s been a lot of ups and downs, but there’s definitely been a lot more ups. Growing together as a brotherhood. We bring out the best in each other by working hard every day.”
Buffanblu coach Nate Kia says Lyman is, without a doubt, the most versatile football player in the state. Kia has seen — and appreciated — the jack of all trades since their years together with the Metro Tigers youth football team.
“ ’Sepa is a highly skilled football player who is really, really smart. A true student of the game,” Kia said. “But his strongest trait is his willingness to do whatever we ask of him to help the team. That clearly distinguishes him in this day and age. He values every opportunity he has to contribute — not just those that are comfortable and receive recognition.”
He is the long snapper on field goals and point-after kicks. He never played tailback or fullback in Punahou’s offset-I formation until sophomore season. As a WR, Lyman has come up with clutch third-down passes from Ty McCutcheon.
He is back at defensive line this season, the 3-technique responsible for interior and edge containment. Going up against tackles and guards who range from 200 to 325 pounds. If Lyman were a sumotori, he would be more Chiyonofuji than Akebono.
“His explosiveness really shines there,” Kia said.
Occasionally, he drops into coverage, using his elite football IQ and agility to create confusion for opposing quarterbacks. When he was with Metro, he played some quarterback.
“So I understood what the running back had to do,” he said.
He has played inside and outside linebacker positions. Just to make sure he rarely gets an extended break, Lyman is on special teams coverage.
“There’s definitely times when I’ve been gassed or tired, but I know I have to look past myself and look at the bigger picture,” he said. “I normally just take a few extra deep breaths. If I really need to, I’ll get out and get a sip. I just try to suck it up.”
The complexity of his roles is relatively common at smaller schools playing in Division I or II. Open Division is where great athletes specialize. When the command came down, Lyman understood fully why he was needed as the Buffanblu’s equivalent of a Swiss Army knife.
“I just look at it like we don’t have the same type of players we had last year. On both sides of the ball, there are spots that need to be filled, that need some depth. Me being in the position I’m at, I know it’s not going to be set up for me to make the play, but by knowing my job, I’m helping my team to hopefully get this title,” Lyman said.
The closest any sport comes to a unique web of roles like Lyman’s might be baseball. A catcher who can pitch, play the infield or outfield, pinch-hit, hit for power and average, is a manager’s best friend. But even baseball players get to sit for a few minutes in the dugout every inning.
Lyman has been durable through his career at Punahou, tough enough to withstand the miles of running, the blunt force of interior collisions. Humble enough to come back to the job every day with nothing but gratitude. Leaning on each other may be what the Buffanblu do best.
“There’s not a lot of players with experience. For the most part, the starters are returnees. It’s us seniors mentoring the freshmen. That’s just the way the culture is,” Lyman said. “Some of these guys, their main experience is Big Boys league. Open Division is a different level of football, a different physicality.”
As Punahou’s “Mr. Handyman,” Lyman is not in uncharted territory. He and teammate Ala‘i Williams worked last summer on construction sites. The daily grind is a way of life.
“Fixing pipes. Building rock walls. That was my summer job. It was tiring, but it was manageable. We would go to work, then go to football practice,” Lyman said. “We started work at 4 or 5 in the morning, then practice from 4 to 6 p.m. We actually liked it. We used the circular saw to cut wood. It’s a little dangerous, but it’s more dusty than anything. We both worked equally hard. We’ll probably go back during winter break. I try to save my money.”
School is in that daily grind, too. Lyman has a 3.3 grade-point average, which is a key ingredient to his future. Arizona Christian, Whitworth, Pacific and Lewis & Clark have expressed interest in him. He has also heard from Nevada, Sacramento State and UNLV.
Handling the blue-collar life and academics are the bulk of Lyman’s life. One of his passions, however, is music. His mother, Pomaikai Keawe, comes from a legendary, musical family. Lyman’s cousins are former Punahou quarterback John-Keawe Sagapolutele — now on the roster at UH — and Campbell standout QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele. Lyman plays the upright bass, sings and dances.
“John is the best at playing music and singing,” he said. “John being at Punahou was part of why I came here, but it was mostly Coach Nate from when I was playing at Metro.”
There are a select few across the islands who have the versatility and the will to take on the workload like Lyman.
“Iosepa is one of the best players that we have in the entire state,” Waimea coach Kyle Linoz said. “Mana Carvalho (of Kahuku) is among the best in every position he plays as a punter, returner, safety, wide receiver and slotback, and even at quarterback.”
Waimea’s jack of all trades is Kameron Apilado, who plays quarterback, running back, cornerback and safety. He is also on kickoff and punt coverage.
Kailua coach Joe Wong has seen a small group of handymen this fall.
“Iosepa is a special case and he deserves all the credit. The only other one is Kaimana Carvalho on what he does for his team,” Wong said.
Kapaa coach Mike Tresler has a valuable asset in Kamalei Gonsalves, who plays wide receiver, slotback, cornerback, safety and place-kicker, and also returns kicks and is on kick coverage.
“Iosepa Lyman is an athletic, high-IQ player. Dynamic and uplifts his team’s play,” Tresler said.
Zedekiah Anahu-Ambrosio of Konawaena, Tainoa Lave of Campbell and Titan Lacaden of Saint Louis are among the offensive standouts who make an impact at several positions. None, however, do the long snapping like Lyman.
“I’ve done it before practice, just messing around. Coach Nate asked me about it last year because the guy who was long snapper was a senior. He told me to get ready for this year,” Lyman said. “At first, I was kind of dreading it, but now it’s kind of cool. Nevada actually was talking to me for that.”
Farrington coach Daniel Sanchez has lasting memories of Lyman and his father, Shane.
“I’ve known Iosepa since he was a water boy for us and his dad coached here. He catches the ball, runs it and makes huge blocks. You see him on the defensive side making tackles, dropping back in coverage. He plays special teams and makes plays there,” Sanchez said. “He is the total team player, and whatever is asked of him, he goes out there and gets it done. Not too many kids with the exception of Carvalho who play these huge roles on their teams.”
Iosepa Lyman’s Favorites
Punahou football • 5-11, 200, Senior
Multiple positions, multiple coaches
Bench press: 285 pounds
Squat: 410 pounds
>> Running backs coach Shane Lyman
“That’s how we try to keep it. It’s not hard to keep it like that. It’s nothing new because he’s been coaching since I started all the way to now. Having him there pushes me to work harder at practice. He gets on me, too.”
>> Wide receivers coach Robbie Toma
“I split up my time between all of the positions. Coach Robbie is good. He knows his stuff, what he’s talking about. He’ll get on us, ‘Run the route like this.’ If you fail to do that, you got up downs. It’s good to have him there. When we had Kanawai (Noa) coaching, he would jam us on the line.”
>> Defensive line coaches Lance Williams, Agenhart Ellis
“I spend two hours a week (at D-line). Being able to turn your hips, knocking down arms, all that stuff. I hadn’t played D-line since my first year of football. I’ve been doing Fastletics with Coach Harry (Paaga) and Coach Tony Pang Kee. Pretty much everything I learned over there translated to the field when I went to D-line. My first game at DL was against Moanalua. Everyone at Moanalua during the play was, ‘What the heck are you doing out here.’
>> Linebackers coaches Keenan Pang, Marc Moody
“I don’t really practice over there. It’s probably my college position. Outside ’backer. The last game I did was my ninth grade season, COVID season, when we had little scrimmages against Kamehameha and Saint Louis. I’ll get used to it.”
>> Top 3 movies/shows
1. “The Benchwarmers”
2. “Transformers”
3. “Avatar 2: The Way of Water”
>> Top 3 food/snacks/drinks
1. Li hing mui gushers
2. Chicken in a Biskit
3. McDonald’s Quarter Pounder meal (No. 3)
>> Top 3 homemade foods
1. Nori and rice
2. Dad’s chili
3. Dad’s salmon
“I actually just did a cooking project and I made the chili. It took a while. It tasted good. We all ate it. It has to have the perfect amount of spice. Chili powder.”
>> Top 3 music artists (and your favorite song by each)
1. Blxst – “Without You”
2. Rod Wave – “Long Journey”
3. Young Go – “Get It Together”
>> Favorite class: Algebra II, junior year
“Mr. T (Kekoa Taliaferro). It was always just a fun class. I just like problem solving.”
>> Favorite teacher: Coach K (Kaeo Vasconcellos)
“My American Studies teacher, junior. He used to be a football coach and he was a good player, as well. He’s always supportive of the football players. He understood when we had practice late and stuff. It just made the class easier. It was mainly how there are recent, current stuff affected by history.”
>> Favorite athlete: The late Sean Taylor
“I would always look him up on YouTube before all my games, growing up. He would motivate me. I was playing linebacker. He hits like a linebacker, so that was always someone I looked up.”
>> Favorite team: New England Patriots
“All those guys just playing for the best coach. There’s still hope for them.”
>> Funniest teammate: Astin Hange
“During practice, all his jokes are related to what’s happening, so it’s not a distraction. He’s always making us laugh on the field.”
>> Smartest teammate: Caleb Rhinelander
“He aces all his stuff and on top of that he knows all his stuff on the O-line. You can put him anywhere on the O-line and he can call the plays.”
>> Favorite motto/scripture: Just do it.
“I’ve heard this all the time growing up. Don’t second-guess yourself. Take the chance not just in football, but take all the opportunities you have in life. You may not get it again.”
>> GPA: 3.3
>> Time machine
“I would just go back to middle school and re-do everything and take things more seriously.”
>> Hidden talent: music
“I can play the (upright) bass, and I can sing and dance. Hawaiian music. It comes from my mom’s side. I’m related to John and Jaron (Sagapolutele). John is the best at playing music and singing. John being at Punahou was part of it, but it was mainly Coach Nate when I was playing at Metro.”
>> New life skill: fixing pipes, building walls
“That was my summer job. Me and Ala‘i (Williams) worked that over the summer. It was tiring, but it was manageable. We would go to work, then go to football practice. We started work at 4 or 5 in the morning, then practice from 4 to 6 p.m. We actually liked it.”
“We used the circular saw to cut wood. It’s a little dangerous, but it’s more dusty than anything. We both worked equally hard. We’ll probably go back winter break. Summer, we’ll probably enjoy time before we leave. I try to save my money.”
>> Bucket list
“To go skydiving. I don’t know. It seems like fun. I haven’t talked about it with anyone. I’d want to visit Dubai because of how nice the things are over there.”
>> Youth sports
“Basketball. Then I did jiu-jitsu. I started in third grade. It was this place in Kapahulu under coach Kyle Nitahara. He invited me one day because we used to go to church together. I liked it. I did it until my second year of football. I played basketball again in seventh and eighth grade. Jiu-jitsu, you learn you don’t want the other guy to have his hands on you. When I played linebacker, and now D-line, it helped. And it helped me with my flexibility.”
>> If you could go back in time, what would you tell you younger self?
“Take advantage of everything you have. Don’t compare what I have to anything anyone else has.”
>> Shoutouts
“I want to shout out Uncle Kekoa (Young) at Body Fix. Shout out Coach Marcus Kimura. He’s our strength coach at Punahou now. And I’d like to shout out my dad.”
