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Mules Big On Character, Love Of Football - And Defense

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Leilehua’s Rob Siavii takes a stance against his opponents on the field. Photo by Nathalie Walker, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

A prep football player’s eligibility clock can tick fast.No one understands that better than Leilehua defensive coordinator Mark Kurisu, who knows the importance of seizing the moment.

“Every team wants to peak for the playoffs,” said Kurisu, who played for the Mules from 1990 to 1993. “I just tell our kids to enjoy the time that we have left together. Let’s make memories every day. The word that defines us is ‘Love.’ It’s about loving your teammates, respecting your opponent, and having fun.

“We talk to them a lot about accountability,” he added.“One of the great things about this season has been the feedback we’ve gotten from people in the community. They talk about our kids’ character, and teaching them to be accountable has taught them character. Some of our captains call it a brotherhood here, or a family, and you can see it in the way we play. (As coaches) we love football here because we love the kids.”

The Mules’ holistic approach has paid big dividends on the field. As in past years, Kurisu’s defensive unit rates among the state’s best as the Mules prepare for their game this weekend against either Kapolei or Waianae. Leilehua was to play Farrington last weekend in an Oahu Interscholastic Association semi-final, with the winner advancing to this week’s title game opposite either Kapolei or Waianae. A Leilehua loss over the weekend would have sent the Mules into the third-place game in a must-win situation as the top three teams from the OIA earn berths in the upcoming First Hawaiian Bank Division I state championship.

Should the Mules still be playing into December, they will likely attribute much of their success to their stellar defensive play. Leilehua entered the weekend yielding 14.2 points per game and had one of its best efforts recently in a quarterfinal win over Mililani. The current defensive front seven features linebackers Robert Siavi’i, Art Laurel and Josh Cruz, in addition to Kaumu DelosSantos, Kalua Ellis, Bradley Laulualo and Tuitoelau Alii up front. Micah Cruz, Peter DeSaulniers, Sean Kenington and Marcus Breakfield make up a talented secondary.

“We’re fortunate to have a lot of play-makers this year - a few more than we’ve had in the past. But we’re not playing our best defense yet.We still get away with a lot of plays, defensively. But the kids play fast and hard, and they overcome a lot of mental breakdowns with our effort.

“(Indianapolis Colts coach) Tony Dungy writes in his book about doing the ordinary thing better than everyone else,” he added. “That means communication on the field, loving each other, hustling, hitting, wrapping (up on the tackle), and getting everyone to the football.”

Depth has played no small role for Kurisu and the defense. In Leilehua’s quarterfinal win over Mililani Oct. 27, his defensive rotation included 22 players.

“One of the key things I learned from (former Leilehua assistants) Rod and Tanu (York), when they were here was the importance of developing depth,“said Kurisu, who is assisted by linebackers coach Darrin Matsumiya and defensive line coach Tui Alailima.“Being able to rotate a lot of guys in helps us to play more disciplined because it keeps them sharper. They’re not as tired in a game.”

Kurisu usually spends five hours on Saturday or Sunday reviewing film of the next opponent to formulate his game plan. The players and coaches review film together Thursdays in an attempt to zero in on a team’s tendencies.

In addition to Rod and Tanu York, Kurisu also lists former LHS coaches Cass Ishitani and John Morikawa as mentors. Had it not been for a cousin,however,he might not be in coaching.

“My cousin, Kalani Navares, was a coach and teacher at Moanalua,” said Kurisu, who is in his 10th year of coaching at Leilehua.“He helped me along when I was (playing college football) at Linfield and when I returned. He was like a role model. John (Morikawa) helped to get me a part-time teaching job here before I became full time, and he had seen me work with the kids (as a teacher) and asked me if I would try coaching. I feel very fortunate to be coaching here.”