Leilehua’s Defensive Line Key In Team’s Success
By Jack Danilewicz
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Del.icio.usWhen Leilehua head football coach Nolan Tokuda sizes up his defensive line, he sees a group doing more than just leading the Mules’ defense. To the man, they’re also all-around team leaders.
“The unselfishness these guys show is true to our motto - surrender me to we,” said Tokuda. “That’s what these guys do.”
With a steady stream of stellar linebackers passing through the program in recent years, much of the defensive credit has found its way to that unit, but the Mules’ attacking 4-3 defense is dependent on solid play up front, according to Tokuda, whose team led the OIA Red West Conference in total defense in 2005 and 2006 and finished second overall last year.
“They know their assignment is to eat up the blocks so our line-backers can make the plays. It’s why we have a (large) rotation so guys can be fresh every play. It all starts with the defensive line. We tell them, ‘This is your opportunity to help the team.’”
Tokuda and defensive line coach Tui Alailima envision the rotation to include 10 to 12 players when they visit Radford Aug. 15 for their preseason game.
Highlighting the group are senior returnees Jayden Cuesta, Sione Sami and Bradley Iaulualo. All three figured big in Leilehua’s run to its first-ever state title last November and will be expected to set the tone for what figures to be one of the state’s most assertive defenses.
“Jayden has the best work ethic, and he’s the most intelligent player on the D-line. Sione is also an intelligent player and a hard worker. He’s quick off of the ball, and he’s extremely coachable. Bradley is relentless to the ball. He has a non-stop motor from the first snap to the last.”
Also in the rotation will be fellow senior Jacob Toro (6-4, 350) and juniors Zach Asuega-Coffin (6-1, 215), Charlie Tuaau (6-3, 250) and Frazer Taua (6-1, 220).
“Each one of them brings something unique or different to the defense,” said Tokuda, whose team finished 10-4 overall last season. “Jacob is a run-stopper, and on passing downs we can bring in pass-rushers like Frazer and Zach.
“Jacob is great on first and second down. Zach sat out all of last year because he had to have surgery, so he’s hungry to play. He’s worked hard to get himself ready for this season. Frazer has the strength to eat up the blocks in the middle. Charlie has size and strength also. He constantly demands double teams, and he blocks up the middle.”
The Mules have operated out of the 4-3 since before Tokuda took over as head coach, but their version of the scheme has been tweaked considerably over the years. “They were more of a read-and-react defense then,” Tokuda said.
“Mark’s style is to bring people (pressure through blitzes). When you think defense, you want to be able to dictate to the offense what they do. We bring pressure, but we also like to mix coverages in behind it.”
The Mules also operate occasionally out of the 3-4, having employed that alignment in play off wins over Castle and Baldwin last year, as well as in their win over Saint Louis in the state championship game.
Part of the reason for the subtle shift is the varying offenses the Mules go up against.
In the West this season, Tokuda expects his team will see “four different styles of offense” amid the league’s six teams.
With that in mind, he credits his defensive coaching staff ‘s teaching skills with enabling the Mules to be a dominant defense.
“I think it’s their coaching and early-season preparation,” he said. They are Darrin Matsumiya (linebackers) and Len Nakasone (corner backs) in addition to Kurisu (secondary/defensive coordinator) and Alailima. “Their attention to detail is good, and we always load up (talent-wise) on defense, anyway. We put our best athletes on defense.”
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