One is a three-time All-State running back. The other is a two-time All-State defensive back. But combined with their Kahuku teammates, they were more than just standout football players. Aofaga Wily and Kawehena Johnson were the epitome of what Red Raider life is about.

Coaches and media voted Wily the Star-Advertiser offensive player of the year in a landslide, and voted Johnson defensive player of the year, edging out Waianae’s dominant defensive tackle, Kennedy Tulimaseali‘i.

Wily, a 6-foot, 202-pound senior, not only knew his role, but relished it. Playing through an ankle injury in 2011 meant postseason surgery, and the time away from basketball and track and field allowed him to pick up more strength and weight. The result: 1,744 rushing yards on 277 attempts and a whopping 27 touchdowns as Kahuku went 12-0 to capture its second state championship in a row.

"He’s got the genes and he got in the weight room," Kahuku coach Reggie Torres said. "Last year, he had a torn ligament and when they the did surgery, they took out some bone chips."

With a weekly game plan to let the defense take control and the offense to take few risks, the weight was heavy on Wily and his formidable blockers. Operating out of Kahuku’s traditional I formation, he mastered both the blast up the gut — his favorite play — as well as stretch handoffs and the occasional toss sweep. Only late in the season did Kahuku employ Wily as a pass catcher.

"I’ll tell you what, he’s a great kid," Torres said. "With our style of line, it’s one cut and go. He started to be more of a physical runner late in the season, able to rip through tackles."

Wily’s career numbers were eye-popping, even with the ankle injury that cost him a few games as a junior. He surpassed the legendary Mark Atuaia (4,146) as the school leader in rushing yardage, finishing with 4,205 yards. That mark is second all-time in Hawaii prep football, trailing only ‘Iolani’s Joe Igber (4,428).

"He sat a lot of games last year and he didn’t start as a sophomore," Torres noted. "And he still broke Atuaia’s record."

Only three times, in blowout games, did he total fewer than 19 rushing attempts. He was at his best against stellar defenses: 41 carries, 190 yards, two touchdowns against Leilehua; 19 carries, 159 yards, two touchdowns against Mililani; 24 carries, 141 yards, four touchdowns against Mililani; 26 attempts, 188 yards, three touchdowns in the state final against Punahou.

Another former All-State running back had this perspective:

"Faga is a disciplined runner. He runs where the play is meant to go, he’s willing to wait for his blocks and he gets the positive yardage," Farrington coach Randall Okimoto said. "He understands, he’ll get the five or six yards and whatever else after is a bonus. That’s what I like about Faga when I see him. I don’t like it when we’re their opponent, but as a football fan, I like it."

Former UH defensive tackle Rod York, now the coach at Mililani, also appreciated the Red Raider back.

"It’s unfair. He’s a beast. He’s a workhorse," York said. "He’ll run you over, run by you, then he’ll congratulate you for making the tackle. He’s a great sportsmanship guy, very respectful, you don’t see that a lot today."

Punahou wide receiver Kanawai Noa, the sensational sophomore, was second in the voting for offensive player of the year. In nine games, Noa had 63 receptions for 1,305 yards and 15 touchdowns. Punahou quarterback Larry Tuileta was third in the voting after passing for 2,592 yards, 29 touchdowns and four interceptions with 64-percent completion rate. Jarin Morikawa was fourth after passing for 3,583 yards and 36 touchdowns with just 13 picks.

As good as Wily was offensively, Kahuku maintained the state’s top defense despite the graduation of several All-State players.

Johnson was the field general and highlight maker, a safety who roamed freely and wisely from sideline to sideline. He picked off six passes, returning three for touchdowns.

Johnson’s play kicked up a notch in the OIA playoffs and state tournament. He was at his best in the state title game against Punahou with three tackles and two interceptions, while rushing for 32 yards and taking a lateral 53 yards for a touchdown. The score came on a hook-and-ladder play to end the first half.

"I call him a playmaker," York said. "(Kapolei coach and OC-16 broadcaster) Darren Hernandez called him the sly mongoose. When Kahuku needs a play offense, defense, special teams, he makes it happen. He’s a leader on the field. When we played him, he played safety and he was in charge of the defense. He would call coverages.

"He’s definitely a coach on the field and he’s a playmaker and he’s done it consistently through his career."

Torres and defensive coordinator Kimo Haiola put a lot of trust in Johnson.

"A lot of it is based on reads and the kid just has the football senses. He’s smart. He stepped up his game even more and got better and better," Torres said.

Johnson, who was a kick returner and wide receiver, had 20 receptions for 443 yards and five touchdowns.

Tulimaseali‘i, a 6-foot-1, 286-pound defensive tackle, wreaked havoc on any and every foe. His play helped Waianae lead Kahuku until the final minutes in a 14-10 playoff loss.

"He’s quick off the ball with a good center of gravity and great balance," Torres said. "He keeps playing football, chasing the running back from behind and he does it consistently. We watched him on tape, looking for a weakness, but he never stops even when he’s combo-blocked."

York agreed.

"That guy’s an animal," York said. "He averages three to four sacks a game and it doesn’t matter if he’s playing a sixth-place team in the West or playing against Kahuku. In the (HUB Senior Goodwill) all-star game week, the joke was they couldn’t run practice because he would destroy the plays.

"You just can’t block him."

Punahou linebacker Isaac Savaiinaea was third in the voting.

Coach of the Year honors went to Torres for the third time.

"He’s humble, he gets results and they’re very respectful in wins and losses," York said. "It comes down to the results. A couple more championships and he should be up there with Cal Lee as one of the best of our time. Him and Wendell Look."

Look, who guided ‘Iolani to its sixth consecutive Division II state crown, was second in the voting. Nanakuli’s Skip Lopes was third, Punahou’s Kale Ane fourth and York fifth.