Mule Defense To Lead Leilehua In 2010 Season

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When Leilehua head football coach Nolan Tokuda elevated seven sophomores to the varsity two years ago, it would have been natural for fans to conclude he was filling holes. Not so, said the coach. Nor was he looking ahead to the summer of 2010.

Indeed, every year has been a good year lately for the Mules, who have made the state title game twice in the last three seasons.

“When we bring up a sophomore, it’s never to fill out our roster,” he said. “It’s because they can make a difference. We tell them when they move up, they have to play like a varsity player, not a sophomore.”

Even so, it’s hard for the staff not to see 2010 as a payoff year, especially on the defensive side, where projected three-year starters are seemingly everywhere. “We saw them perform well as sophomores, and now they’re seniors,” Tokuda said.

Leading the way for the three-year varsity players are linebackers Austin Schmidt, Stockton Crowley, Alaka’i Delisario and Darric Matsumiya. More seasoned veterans can be found in the secondary, where safeties Dillon Pau and Ryan Pasoquen are back for a third go-around, in addition to defensive linemen Penitito Melei and Keane Hosaka. All are seniors.

Junior safety Russell Siavii, the younger brother of former Leilehua standout Rob Siavii, also has followed their course, having moved up to varsity last year when he was a sophomore.

To put into perspective just how stout the aforementioned three-year lettermen are, consider that only one sophomore - two-way line-man Jaryn Villegas - will be with the varsity when it opens fall camp July 26.

Not surprisingly, much of the talk during summer workouts has centered around defense, where speed and experience can be counted on to make a difference. “Our defense will lead us, and we have no problem with that,” said Tokuda, whose team finished 9-4 in 2009.

The OIA Red West Conference will have a different look as well, following re-assignments. Gone to the White Conference are Nanakuli and Waipahu - programs that are run-oriented. New to the Red West mix will be pass-happy programs Aiea and Radford, who join existing league members Kapolei, Campbell, Mililani and Waianae. Of the group, only Waianae truly operates a “run-first” offense with the rest run-and-shoot or spread teams.

“Offenses and the game of football as a whole have evolved, so we have to be able to match up, personnel-wise. That speed on defense will help us and coach (defensive coordinator Duane) Kurisu and his staff do a great job week in and week out.”

LHS opens its 2010 slate Aug. 13 with a preseason home game versus Waipahu.