Mules Concentrate On Getting ‘The Little Things’ Right
By Jack Danilewicz
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Del.icio.usNeighborhood watch programs have their place, but in the context of football, Leilehua head coach Nolan Tokuda sticks to his own business. While the Mules face another heavyweight schedule this fall, starting with August games versus Mililani and Saint Louis School, Tokuda has put all the emphasis on his own team in the early days of practice.
“Why worry about someone else’s yard when our own is dirty?” he said.“We’re more worried about Leilehua. Our main concern is that we not beat ourselves.”
Getting out of its own way has been a theme lately for the team, which is coming off another stellar campaign in which they finished 11-3 overall and advanced to the state title game. Still, self-imposed miscues hampered them in 2008.
“That’s a big concern - our discipline,“he said of the penalties. “Over the last five years, that was probably the most undisciplined team that we’ve had. Not personal fouls, but the little penalties that hurt you. We’ve tried to focus on doing the little things better than everybody else. This summer, we’ve been hopping on them for every little mistake. We know we need to get better every week.”
With that in mind, Tokuda praised the progress of his offensive line, whose rotation will feature Charlie Tuaau, Frazer Taua, Zach Asuega, Bronson Smithe, and Jiniki Timoteo, Nate Schuster, Koa Ascencio and Damien-transfer Kalawaia Jenkins.
The group already has proven its grit without playing a game, having endured “November” weather in late July. Rain and ongoing drainage problems on the field forced them to practice off campus for a week to rest the playing surface.
“The field is already trashed,” Tokuda said. “The kids can’t even hold their footing in some cases, but it’s something we can’t change right now.”
Field turf should be installed in December, but nothing is finalized yet. For now the muddy field fits the blue-collar approach of the Mules’ line, in Tokuda’s view.
“They’ve been coming to work hard every day with a hard-hat mentality. We’re excited to see that. Because of the conditions yesterday, we finished practice at 5:30, but the O-line stayed out there another hour, until 6:30, working on technique and picking up blitzes ... “
Tokuda credited new offensive line coach Patrick San Nicolas for having an impact since coming up from the JV staff. “He’s doing a great job for us. (O-line) was a weak spot last year, but we only lost one to graduation, and the other guys coming in will create great competition. This may be the best line that we’ve had here.”
Even so, the face of the current team is senior quarterback Andrew Manley, although his hopes to be effective will hinge largely on what they can do up front.
Leilehua has used multiple formations in recent years on offense, ranging from variations of the spread to double tight end sets. With Manley’s experience, Tokuda expects the Mules to be “even more multiple” in the things they do this season.
Leilehua plays Radford at home Aug. 15 and Mililani away on Aug. 22.
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