Tuesday, December 29, 1998

Five from Hawaii
in playoffs

By Pat Bigold
Star-Bulletin

The regular National Football League has ended for 13 players with Hawaii ties. But five will see action in the upcoming playoffs.

Two former University of Hawaii players, defensive end Maa Tanuvasa (Mililani High) and kicker Jason Elam play key roles for the defending Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos (14-2).

Tanuvasa ended his season as the Broncos' co-leader in sacks (8.5) for the second year in a row. Tackle Trevor Pryce was the other co-leader. Tanuvasa had 44 tackles -- 33 of them unassisted.

Elam enters the playoffs as a Pro Bowl selection. He tied the NFL record for longest field goal (63 yards), made 23 of 27 field goal attempts, and 58 of 58 point-after attempts.

Waimanalo's Esera Tuaolo, an eight-year veteran, has had 10 tackles (six solo) and a fumble recovery playing reserve nose tackle for the NFC West champion Atlanta Falcons (14-2).

Former Leilehua star Adrian Murrell finished the regular schedule for the NFC East runner-up Arizona Cardinals (9-7) with his third straight 1,000-yard season. Murrell had 1,042 yards on 274 attempts and eight touchdowns in his first season as a Cardinal.

Murrell's 4-yard touchdown in a 16-13 victory over San Diego on Sunday gave Arizona its first playoff berth since 1982. Arizona will travel to Dallas on Saturday for a wild card playoff.

Among the nine locally born players who are packing it in until next year are three New Orleans Saints: former Kahuku all-state pick Chris Naeole, who started all 16 games at guard; second-year linebacker Ink Aleaga (Maryknoll), who played in 15 games and started three; and eighth-year veteran Pio Sagapolutele (Maryknoll), who was sidelined this season with a ruptured triceps tendon.

Steelers rookie running back Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala, who played at St. Louis School and Utah, missed last night's season finale at Jacksonville because he reinjured a hamstring.

Fuamatu-Ma'afala missed three other games with that same injury but scored three touchdowns this year. Fuamatu-Ma'afala touched the ball only 16 times -- seven times on rushes (30 yards) and nine times on receptions (84 yards).

Cincinnati Bengals nose tackle Kimo von Oelhoffen (Molokai) started all 16 games and recorded 44 tackles (35 solo). Von Oelhoffen began his college career with the University of Hawaii.

Former St. Louis School star Olin Kreutz played nine games as a backup center for the Chicago Bears.

Hawaii's longest-serving active NFL player, 13-year veteran linebacker Kurt Gouveia of the San Diego Chargers, played in 15 games and started 12. He had 44 tackles (32 solo).

Former St. Louis School wide receiver Kaipo McGuire saw his only NFL game action of 1998 Sunday as the Indianapolis Colts' kick and punt return specialist in a 27-19 loss to the Carolina Panthers. He had one punt return for 4 yards, and four kick returns for 75 yards.

Another former Kahuku High star, Seattle Seahawks second-year tight end Itula Mili, played in seven games this season with one catch for 20 yards. He was sidelined recently with a knee injury and did not finish the schedule.