It will be a two-team
race in OIAWhiteKahuku, McKinley
By Pat Bigold
expected to fight for title
Star-Bulletin
There are those who say that Kahuku will run away with the Oahu Interscholastic Association White Conference title this season.Kahuku's heritage of OIA dominance in this decade is one reason for this sentiment.
The other is the fact that in an uncharacteristically subpar 1996 season, a very young Red Raiders team had time to take its knocks and mature. The dividends are size, savvy and a voracious hunger to return to the Red Conference.
But even Red Raiders' second year head coach Siuaki Livai knows that this conference race is far from a foregone conclusion.
That's because McKinley (2-0 in preseason), led by last year's Star-Bulletin all-state coach of the year, David Tanuvasa, is expected to be a monumental factor.
The consensus among conference coaches: It's a two-team race for the crown, with a small mob of potential spoilers.
This week's openers are Kaiser at Kahuku, Moanalua at Kailua, and McKinley at Aiea. All start at 7 p.m.
The Red Raiders, who took on an unusually tough preseason schedule and went 0-2 against nationally ranked St. Louis and Interscholastic League of Honolulu runner-up Punahou, have a tough offense and an even tougher defense.
They got 107 grind-it-out yards against St. Louis last week from sturdy 6-foot, 185-pound Hausia Faleofa, who looks like he will be doing the lion's share of the running this season. The shorter (5-6) but bulkier Kaipo Fiatoa is another serious threat.
Running the option for the Red Raiders is 6-0, 181-pound quarterback Robert Thompson.
Spearheading a superb defense are 6-2, 235-pound Tiloi Lolotai and 6-0, 225-pound Nifoloa Siilata, both senior tackles, and 5-6, 200-pound junior end Puna Vendiola.
There's little question that the Tigers believe in themselves after making it to the OIA playoff semifinals last year.
At McKinley, where the emphasis has been on line play throughout Tanuvasa's tenure, 6-3, 260-pound left guard Aukuso Tuiolemotu is a team leader known for his pancake blocks. He had three against Roosevelt in preseason.
He anchors an aggressive line that also features 6-5, 278-pound Francis (Sammy) Silva.
Returning at quarterback is Charles Napulou III, who passed for 501 yards and four touchdowns last season.
Jonathan Mostella, a 5-8, 150-pound junior running back and second-year starter, is expected to be the key to the Tigers' rushing game this year.
But ask Tanuvasa what his team's strength is, and he'll tell you it's defense.
The Tigers led the White in team defense last year and they appear solid there once again with five returning starters. These include two conference all-stars, senior linebackers Dae Kyung Kwon (5-7, 166 pounds) and Solo Moananu (5-11, 210 pounds).
Also figuring to create some excitement in the race -- and there could be an upset or two from this group -- are Kailua, 1996 Blue Conference champion Kaiser and Radford.
At Kailua, head coach Darren Johnson, the former Kahuku offensive coordinator, has found a possible game-breaker in 5-10, 190-pound sophomore tailback Rocky Alo.
But his bread-and-butter carrier is returning 5-8, 175-pound senior fullback Kaiwa Kaita.
Head coach Wendell Say's Na Alii have one of the best defensive linemen of the upcoming recruiting class: 6-3, 280-pound Ing Aleaga.
Guard Ray Fonoti, who is 6-3, 290 pounds, also stacks up as an Aiea college prospect.
Radford has a rugged offensive line led by 6-4, 255-pound college prospect at tackle, Chris Hogge. He plays both ways.
Drawback for the Rams is that suspensions and injuries had them down to 27 active players in preseason.