Lahainaluna’s Lalelei Mata’afa has competed at NFL stadiums during the playoffs more often than most of the league’s players.

She made it to the national Punt, Pass & Kick finals five times, never finishing below fourth. She’s been on the PP&K scene so long she met wide receiver Marvin Harrison, who retired in 2009, in Indianapolis while he was still a member of the Colts. The girl from Hawaii in a Chargers jersey won her first time and kept coming back, year after year — a finalist from among thousands in her age group.

“It was almost all different kids every year,” said Mata’afa, who is among the 12 Hawaii High School Athletic Association Hall of Honor inductees today. “The only one I remember more than once was Chad Kelly. Now he’s the Ole Miss quarterback.”

So, it makes you wonder … did the 5-foot-11, 190-pound undefeated wrestling champ and water polo MVP ever consider trying out for the Lunas football team?

“I haven’t played padded up, but growing up always played with the family, tackle on the beach or grass,” said Mata’afa, whose six siblings include Hercules, a defensive end who registered seven sacks as a Washington State freshman last fall. “The coaches asked me when I was a sophomore. I thought about it every year, but never did it.”

The former soccer player has made 50-yard field goals just goofing around.

“I think she could’ve been a pretty good quarterback and strong enough to even play line,” said her mother, Sophie. “She could hit up against people, but why? What sense would there be to take the blunt force if she could be the kicker?”

Not that Sophie discouraged Lalelei — she just helped point out the obvious: Her college sport would not likely be football. And it might be no sport if she got seriously injured.

“I always want them all to have fun and play what they want,” Sophie said. “Coaches said focus on one (sport). We said, ‘She’s a kid, let her play what she wants.’”

That was especially important for Lalelei, who suffered from asthma as a young child.

“Coaches recruited her sisters, but did not want her for soccer because she had to come out of games and use her inhaler,” Sophie said. “Because I have seven kids but just one car, you have to take all or none. After she started doing well in the Punt, Pass & Kick they all wanted her.”

She was soon starring in everything she played, which was … well, everything.

Lalelei narrowed it down to wrestling and water polo in high school. Her high school sports resume is unique among the thousands I’ve seen in 40 years of observing Hawaii preps.

Recently, she made University of Hawaii water polo coach Maureen Cole very happy, switching her intention from Arizona State to Manoa. Previously, her plan was to wrestle at Midland University in Fremont, Neb.

“When it came down to it, I felt like UH is a better choice for me,” she said. “Might as well stay home and play for the home crowd.”

And who knows? Maybe football coach Nick Rolovich would take a look at a kicker with accuracy from 50 yards who is familiar with the pressure of the NFL postseason.

Reach Dave Reardon at dreardon@staradvertiser.com or 529-4783. His blog is at Hawaiiwarriorworld.com/quick-reads.