Since taking up "contact" football at the age of 8, Tyler Taumua has strived to improve with each play.

He learned the game while coming up through organized youth football in the Palama Settlement, getting repetitions on offense at both quarterback and running back while also playing linebacker as he competed with siblings and cousins.

The hard work paid off for the Farrington junior, who has emerged as the state’s leading rusher and offensive cornerstone of the top-ranked Governors squad.

Through Farrington’s first 10 games of the 2011 campaign, Taumua has carried the offensive load, rushing for 1,605 yards and 16 touchdowns on 190 carries. His nearly 8.5 yards-per-carry average has allowed the undefeated Governors (10-0) to grind away at opponents, wearing down defenses while chewing up the clock.

"Honestly, I didn’t think we’d be undefeated or that I’d be the leading rusher, but it feels good," said Taumua after Farrington’s 27-24 victory over a pesky Campbell squad in Friday’s Oahu Interscholastic Association semifinals. In the win, Taumua carried the ball 24 times for 154 yards and two scores while also helping with pass protection, taking some direct snaps and handling the punting duties.

"Tyler means a lot to our team," said Farrington coach Randall Okimoto. "When he is on his game along with the offensive unit, we’ve been able to have success. Tyler is blessed with the ability to make defenders miss, and the ability to power through defenders as well."

The running back’s efforts have played an instrumental role in Farrington’s unbeaten season thus far, and while team success remains paramount, the potential for claiming an incredible individual accomplishment is also coming into focus.

Taumua currently stands 493 yards behind what is believed to be the Hawaii single-season rushing record set in 2007 by former Damien back Kama Bailey, who amassed 2,098 yards and 22 scores that season. According to Star-Advertiser prep guru Paul Honda, Taumua first must surpass the marks set by former Interscholastic League of Honolulu greats Mosi Tatupu of Punahou (2,025 yards) and Joe Igber of ‘Iolani (2,017 yards). While the individual success is on Taumua’s mind, he is also keeping the drive for a state title in the forefront.

"I usually think about it during the practice week," said Taumua of the potential of his breaking the rushing record. "But during the game, I just think about winning. I’d take the state championship over the record any day. Like our coach says, the undefeated team usually becomes the biggest target, so we need to protect ourselves."

Following strong showings in a pair of nonconference wins over Kamehameha and ‘Iolani to start the promising season, Taumua racked up 807 yards in his first four Oahu Interscholastic Association tussles. With Taumua averaging nearly 202 yards per game and tallying eight touchdowns in that span, the Governors combined to outscore Kaiser, Castle, Kailua and Roosevelt 184-13 heading into its first bye week.

Taumua then rose to the occasion to keep pace with the increasingly talented competition as Farrington fended off Kahuku and Moanalua to complete a perfect regular season before downing Mililani 25-20 on Oct. 21 in its first OIA tournament contest.

Taumua’s skill set is so respected that every team to face the Governors thus far has planned to limit his rushing prowess, but still failed to slow him down. The back eclipsed the century mark in rushing in each game except for the clash with Moanalua, when Taumua gained just 35 yards as he dealt with an injury.

"It feels good, it makes me realize the hard work has paid off," said Taumua of the respect paid to him by opponents. The junior, who hopes to go into the engineering or construction field in the future, has also drawn attention from multiple colleges, including Oregon, UCLA and Colorado of the Pac-12.

However, with college decisions and a full senior season still ahead of him, Taumua is grounded in the present. He thinks about the hard work he and teammates have put in as he recovers from the bumps and bruises following each game, and is looking forward to Friday’s OIA Championship game against the rival Kahuku Red Raiders, whose lone loss came to the Governors in OIA Red East play.

"For our team, this is another big game," Taumua said. "It also means a lot to our fans and supporters. It’ll be a wild game."

Okimoto is confident in knowing that he has a captain on the field in Taumua to keep Farrington rolling by remaining humble and leading by example.

"He has the ability to influence his teammates to play at a higher level because of how he plays on the field, with passion," said the skipper. "He’s humble enough to know that his success depends on his faith in God, and his teammates."