Wednesday, November 4, 1998

Kahuku vs. Kailua—
who knows whom better?

Their head coaches coached
together for years, but tomorrow
they meet in the OIA semifinals

By Pat Bigold
Star-Bulletin

Few coaches know each other's moves as well as Kahuku's Siuaki Livai and Kailua's Darren Johnson.

During a seven-year stretch in which Kahuku won four Oahu Interscholastic Association titles, produced the then state career rushing leader (Mark Atuaia) and some of the state's most overpowering offensive lines, Livai served as running backs coach and Johnson as offensive coordinator.

Working under Doug Semones, now an assistant coach at Hawaii, the two men sat through countless hours of videotape and strategy sessions.

Tomorrow night they will meet as opposing head coaches in the OIA semifinals at Aloha Stadium.

"We know what kind of things he's capable of doing," said Livai, whose unbeaten Red Conference champion Red Raiders are No. 18 in USA Today's "Super 25."

"I know their kids and I know their coaches," Johnson said. "And I know they're very good. Any time you get a chance to play a nationally ranked team, it's good for your program."

Johnson said Kahuku has tremendous depth, which was evident by the fact that Talamoni Talamoni sat out last week's 61-7 romp over Kaimuki. But he pointed out what makes the Red Raiders even more dangerous.

"Their special teams are so good," he said.

"Their kickoff team -- every single game we saw, they get onside kicks, and when they kick it deep, they pin people inside the 20. Their punt team has great coverage when they do punt."

Johnson's unbeaten Surfriders are the champions of the White Conference and the only team left in the playoffs that isn't from the Red Conference.

Kailua is led by running backs Rocky Alo and Keone Brown.

The pair combined for 222 yards and three touchdowns in a 37-14 victory over Roosevelt last week.

Though Alo has been the more heralded of the two this season, Livai said he's even more impressed with Brown.

"He's quicker, faster, and he attacks the hole," Livai said. "Look at game stats and Brown always has a better average."

Brown had 135 yards on 12 carries last week and Alo had 87 on 17.

Johnson will have his work cut out for him as he tries to figure out a way to contain the most prolific offense in the OIA and get past Kahuku's swarming defense.

But Livai said he respects his former colleague's ability to innovate.

"He's going to be creative," Livai said. "He will do reverses, traps -- he will try to find a way to beat this defense. He likes to move the chain."

In Friday's semifinal, a much improved Farrington will get another shot at Waianae, the team that routed the Governors, 30-7, in an OIA season opener Sept. 4.

"What's happening now is that Farrington is executing offensively and defensively," Waianae coach Leo Taaca said. "They're on a roll and they've improved 300 percent since the last time we played them.

"And their guard, (6-4, 270-pound) Vince Manuwai is one of the best I've seen in a while. The whole Farrington line has shown great improvement. They're blocking well and running the offense now."

Farrington coach Skippa Diaz is concerned with Waianae's defense, particularly the OIA Red Conference defensive player of the year -- middle linebacker Winston Keliikipi.

"He's as tough as nails and he stuffs people in the hole," Diaz said. "He is playing in front of four solid down lineman and that allows him to cancel out the ball carrier. He can go sideline to sideline."

Taaca said Keliikipi's development has been a pleasant surprise.

"He's been our mainstay," said Taaca, who admits his linemen have had to grow into their roles.

"Last year's line had a different personality. They were bigger, but this one is taller and quicker."

Diaz said he thinks Waianae running back Duane Miller can be a game-breaker.

"Miller is one of the premier running backs," he said. "I think he was the toughest running back we came up against all year. He has great ability to run. He gets hit and bounces off people."