Perhaps the most difficult thing about a preseason list of Top 10 teams is that nothing has been proven before the season, let alone the first nonconference game.
Imagine what assistant coaches who are sent on scouting assignments must go through, paring perception and whittling down reports with reality. That only comes with a few scrimmages and maybe a couple of games.
But here we go, with our annual list of top prospects. It’s no science, by any means, and it’s even tougher to gauge incoming first-year players just up from junior-varsity teams.
But on the whole, talent is dominating on the defensive side this year.
THE OFFENSE
The 2010 season was loaded with quarterbacks, such as Marcus Mariota and Trent McKinney, and deep with running backs through Divisions I and II.
This fall, there’s a dropoff, which means more and more coaches will lean toward saving their best athletes for the defensive end. Some, like Kahuku, might unleash their best players for a series or two on offense, but the trend is clearly conservative.
QUARTERBACKS
Kenan Sadanaga of Leilehua gets the nod here. No other returning signal-caller had his kind of numbers: 2,598 passing yards and 26 touchdowns (209-for-316) and a passer rating of 152.23. He also tossed 16 picks, which made this a little more interesting.
Kailua’s Kahaku Iaea had a solid sophomore year (2,131 yards, 16 touchdowns), but spent the offseason training with Chad Ikei in Arizona. He trimmed 25 pounds and has adhered to a low-carb, low-sugar diet to stay at 215 pounds. His maturity and the addition of some key transfers will help bring his interception total (16 last season) down.
Reece Foy was another exceptional sophomore in ’10 with 1,839 yards and 21 touchdowns. He threw just 11 picks, due in part to a veteran receiving corps and offensive line. Like Sadanaga, Foy is working with a lot of new receivers and linemen, as well as a new running back. Of the top three slingers, Foy is the only one who will look to scramble and enjoy it, too.
Star-Advertiser Elite Eight, Quarterbacks:
1. Kenan Sadanaga, Leilehua, , 5-7, 170, Sr.
2. Kahaku Iaea, Kailua, 6-2, 215, Jr.
3. Reece Foy, ‘Iolani, 5-11, 170, Jr.
4. Jack Foster, Pac-FIve, 6-0, 170, Sr.
5. Viliami Livai, Kahuku, 6-0, 170, Jr.
6. Justin Tago, Campbell, 5-9, 158, Jr.
7. Nahoa Spencer, Kaimuki, 5-8, 145, Sr.
8. Keelan Ewaliko, Baldwin, 5-10, 160, Jr.
RECEIVERS
With four-wide sets becoming the norm in a state where smashmouth football was once tradition, it’s no shock that more and more quality receivers are cropping up. Saint Louis’ Jeremy Tabuyo is poised for a breakout season as a junior in the run-and-shoot hybrid offense. The 6-foot 180-pounder is one of the top sprinters in the islands and should easily surpass last year’s totals (16 receptions, 313 yards, four touchdowns) now that he is a primary target.
The list of playmakers is impressive. Jeremiah Andrade is the latest weapon in Leilehua’s explosive attack. As the third option last year, he still put up 53 catches, 710 yards and five touchdowns. He left Thursday’s game with Service (Alaska) with a concussion.
Mililani’s Kaimi Wilson has made the move from safety to wide receiver, and the Trojans are reaping the profits. Wilson hauled in nine balls for 185 yards, including scoring plays of 37 and 54 yards, against Moanalua on Friday.
Malik Johnson has turned in an occasional spectacular play early in the season for Punahou. The 6-5 senior sat out part of last year with a plan of focusing on basketball. However, thanks to combine statistics, interest has always been there from football programs. A 6-5 speedster is a rare breed in Hawaii, but Johnson is behind the learning curve after sitting out for a long duration.
Possibly the most acrobatic, if not the flat-out best, of the group may be Mason Kualii-Moe, who made amazing play after amazing play at Kaimuki. He transferred to Kahuku, and though he had 37 receptions for 619 yards and seven touchdowns as a Bulldog, the Red Raiders are using him as a running back and defensive back. Perhaps the most unheralded is Diacorri Briscoe of Pearl City. He averaged an OIA-high 22.1 yards per catch last season. The sleeper of all sleepers, though, could be Keano Kuia of Kalani, who has flourished in offensive coordinator Ron Lee’s run-and-shoot offense.
Star-Advertiser Elite Eight, Wide Receivers:
1. Jeremy Tabuyo, Saint Louis, 6-1, 180, Jr.
2. Jeremiah Andrade, Leilehua, 5-7, 160, Sr.
3. Kaimi Wilson, Mililani, 6-0, 160, Sr.
4. Malik Johnson, Punahou, 6-5, 195, Sr.
5. Mason Kualii-Moe, Kahuku, 5-11, 190, Sr.
6. Diacorri Briscoe, Pearl City, 5-10, 150, Sr.
7. Nainoa Frank, Kalaheo, 6-4, 185, Jr.
8. Dallas Tuumalo, Saint Louis, 5-10, 220, Sr.
RUNNING BACKS
As with the QB spot, a significant number of seniors graduated from this position in June. There are at least four returning standouts, however, plus a group of rising backs.
Kahuku’s Aofaga Wily rushed for 1,175 yards (7.7 per carry) and 17 touchdowns last season as Kahuku went 10-0 before being banished from the league playoffs. His durability, speed and toughness served Kahuku’s I-formation sets well. He suffered an ankle injury last week and was held out of Friday’s game with Waianae.
Steven Lakalaka is among the best multiple threats. The Punahou back had 771 yards and four touchdowns last year as the Buffanblu endured injury issues at quarterback. The 5-10, 205-pound senior has super-glue hands on swing passes and lowers the boom on unprepared defenders more often than not. Lakalaka has committed to UCLA.
Waianae’s Jaylen Mitchell is more of a dangerous breakaway threat on screen passes, almost unstoppable in open space. He rushed for 636 yards (8.4 per attempt) and four touchdowns as a sophomore last year. He sat out of Friday’s game at Kahuku with an injury.
Star-Advertiser Elite Eight, Running Backs:
1. Aofaga Wily, Kahuku, 6-1, 195, Jr.
2. Steven Lakalaka, Punahou, 5-10, 205, Sr.
3. Jaylen Mitchell, Waianae, 5-7, 165, Jr.
4. Waika Alapai, Kapaa, 6-1, 210, Jr.
5. Tyler Meditz, Kamehameha, 5-9, 155, Jr.
6. B.J. Pagdilao-Bala, Lahainaluna, 5-5, 135, Sr.
7. Alika Emayo, Waimea, 5-8, 150, Sr.
8. Kean Wong, Kamehameha-Hawaii, 6-0, 175, Jr.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Shane Brostek of Hawaii Prep is one of many promising performers. As usual, the islands are loaded with talent at this position, but Brostek is not the usual blue-chip attraction. His dad, Bern, went from ‘Iolani to Washington, then the Los Angeles Rams, and Shane appears to be cut precisely from that mold. He is weighing offers, including one from UW.
Afi Greig is another elite blocker, now a senior and in a defining role as a leader for a young offensive line at Saint Louis.
Though the list has plenty of recognizable talent in the eyes of recruiters, Brandon Heu may be a sleeper. The 6-1, 255-pound senior was a top award winner at the recent Brian Derby Camp for offensive linemen.
Among the big contributors who aren’t on this small list: Chris Loyd of Moanalua, twins Michael and Mitchell Boyd of Farrington, Charles Sataraka, also of Farrington, Sione Moala of Kaimuki, Hayden Wills of Kamehameha and giants Mackenzie Togafau (6-5, 320) and Jason Malaga (6-4, 325) of McKinley. There’s more, much more. Hawaii is a surplus store of talent at the O-line.
Star-Advertiser Elite Eight, Offensive Linemen:
1. Shane Brostek, Hawaii Prep, 6-3, 300, Sr.
2. Afi Greig, Saint Louis, 6-0, 245, Sr. (C)
3. Dustin Telefoni, Castle, 6-1, 272, Sr.
4. Scott Pagano, Moanalua, 6-3, 267, Jr. (OT)
5. Matthew Sparks, Punahou, 6-5, 275, Sr.
6. Donald Monroe, Punahou, 6-3, 260, Sr.
7. Kiha Saii, Kamehameha, 6-4, 300, Sr.
8. Brandon Heu, Kaimuki, 6-1, 255, Sr. (OL/DL)
THE DEFENSE
Maybe it’s the down cycle on the offensive side that makes this year’s harvest of defensive talent shine so brightly. Perhaps it’s true that so much of the talent on the defensive side is jam-packed onto a few elite squads.
The clear difference this year between the ‘O’ and ‘D’ is the wealth of younger talent on defense. While the offensive fireworks will still blaze, it appears that coaches are putting their best athletes on the opposite side of the ball. Whether this is a true cycle of change or just a fluke, it’s difficult to assume.
The depth of talent is impressive, to say the least.
DEFENSIVE LINE
There’s enough talent to break this into tackles and ends this season.
At the top is an underclassman, Waianae junior Kennedy Tulimasealii, a 6-1, 286-pound combination of sheer power and explosive quickness. The tackle worked hard in the offseason to lose 14 pounds and add the quickness.
Kalei Auelua, a 6-4, 245-pound defensive end, had 22 sacks last season. He is a workout fiend who gained 25 pounds in the offseason.
The twin towers of Punahou, 6-7 DeForest Buckner and 6-7 Luke Kaumatule, are part of a stout defensive unit.
Buckner was just about everywhere in Friday’s nonconference win over Roosevelt.
Kaumatule has huge upside down the road, but is only playing organized football for a second year.
Penitito Melei, Leilehua’s dual-position senior, could leave a mark as a tight end this season.
Star-Advertiser Elite Eight, Defensive Linemen:
1. Kennedy Tulimasealii, Waianae, 6-1, 286, Jr. (DT)
2. Kalei Auelua, Saint Louis, 6-4, 245, Sr. (DE)
3. DeForest Buckner, 6-7, 235, Sr. (DE)
4. Penitito Melei, Leilehua, 6-2, 210, Sr. (DE)
5. Lopeti Fonokalafi, Kaiser, 6-0, 285, Sr. (DT)
6. Pasoni Tasini, Baldwin, 6-3, 230, Sr. (DT)
7. Luke Kaumatule, Punahou, 6-7, 240, Sr. (DE)
8. Jarome Fa’amata, Farrington, 5-10, 240, Sr. (DT)
LINEBACKERS
Talent remains at this position, but there are more mysteries here than usual. Kealakehe’s Psalm Wooching, a 6-3, 205-pound senior has committed to UCLA.
Benneton Fonua is a primary defensive stopper for Kahuku, but junior ‘backer Rashaan Falemalu (6-1, 196) had an outstanding performance against Waianae on Friday.
Baldwin’s B.J. Wilhelm-Ioane, Kaimuki’s two-way standout Siaosi Hala’api’api, Martin Taulelei of Moanalua and Douglas Tautua of Aiea are among the frequently heard names making plays across Oahu.
Star-Advertiser Elite Eight, Linebackers:
1. Psalm Wooching, Kealakehe, 6-3, 205, Sr.
2. Benneton Fonua, Kahuku, 6-1, 216, Sr.
3. B.J. Wilhelm-Ioane, Baldwin, 6-1, 218, Sr.
4. Siaosi Hala’api’api, Kaimuki, 6-2, 220, Sr. (LB/FB)
5. Martin Taulelei, Moanalua, 5-10, 193, Sr.
6. Douglas Tautua, Aiea, 5-11, 210, Sr.
7. Rashaan Falemalu, Kahuku, 6-1, 196, Jr.
8. Cilvin Steward, Mililani, 5-11, 170, Sr.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Kamehameha’s Taylor Taliulu has already committed to Washington State, while Leilehua’s Russell Siavii (6-3, 185) has tremendous athleticism. Siavii, brother of former Mule Robert Siavii, has very good hands and is part of the short-yardage offense.
Kawehena Johnson is just a junior, but continues to make savvy, smart plays in coverage for Kahuku. So does Evan Ramirez, who returned a pick 102 yards to paydirt on Friday against Waianae. Among the rest of the top eight DBs, Uakea Street and Nick Motellang may have the most game experience.
Star-Advertiser Elite Eight, Defensive Backs:
1. Taylor Taliulu, Kamehameha, 6-0, 185, Sr. (S/CB)
2. Russell Siavii, Leilehua, 6-3, 185, Sr. (SS)
3. Kawehena Johnson, Kahuku, 5-9, 160, Jr.
4. Evan Ramirez, Kahuku, 5-11, 163, Jr.
5. Uakea Street, Saint Louis, 5-10, 175, Sr.
6. Jacob Lacaden, Saint Louis, 6-0, 185, So.
7. Bronson Beatty, Kahuku, 6-2, 185, Sr. (S)
8. Nick Motellang, Kaimuki, 5-8, 150, Sr. (CB/WR)
