Mules’ June 7 Spring Football Game To Showcase Talent

Del.icio.us

You can’t blame Leilehua High School head football coach Nolan Tokuda for being on the defensive as his team continues spring practice this week.

With several key returnees on that side of the ball, it’s no secret where the Mules’ strength lies entering the 2006 season. And that the defense should be at center stage within the Leilehua program this spring is made all the more noteworthy given the return of quarterback Bryan Moniz, a three-year starter at quarterback and one of the state’s most capable at his position.

“The defense will win games for us,” said Tokuda, who enters his third year at the helm for the Mules. “The offense’s job is not to lose them. We want to be playing well into December - that’s the goal here.”

The Mules were 3-3 last season in the Oahu Interscholastic Association’s Red West Division, a year after a memorable run in the 2004 state tournament that had seen them post an upset win over perennial power Kahuku. Leilehua was 5-1 in the regular season in 2004.

Should Leilehua return to form again in 2006, the Mules will likely credit their fortunes in part to the continuity of their coaching staff, which Tokuda is as excited about as the array of talent found among the 110 players (junior varsity and varsity) taking part in spring drills. Under OIA guidelines, the Mules are allotted 10 practices within a 14-day period. Leilehua fans can catch their first glimpse of the Mules at 2 p.m. June 7 when they stage their annual spring game at Hugh Yoshida Stadium.Admission is free.

“Our defensive coaches have stepped it up for us,” Tokuda said of Mark Kurisu, Burt Souza and Rod and Tanu York.“They’ve been working hard.

“I’m really excited about our defense. Everything is in, so we’re almost in mid-season form. They’ve been giving our offense a hard time so far (in spring practice). The offense is always going to be behind (the defense at this stage), but especially this year. We’ve also added Richard Townsend, who retired as athletic director here, to be our defensive coordinator on the JV.”

The good news on defense begins up front with the return of senior defensive linemen Mike Schuster and Leroy McCloud (5-10, 260).

Schuster, a nose guard who packs 250 pounds into a 5-foot-10 frame, “is one of the best in the state,” according to his coach. “He occupies two blockers at a time,leaving our middle linebacker free.”

Viliami Haunga, a member of the Leilehua basketball team, has also joined the fold and is projected as an “impact player"by Tokuda in the trenches.

Depth at linebacker should be a huge plus for the Mules where seniors Mene Coffin (6-0, 210), Roman Seui (5-10, 200) and Frances Ofoia (5-10, 200), as well as juniors Josh Cruz (5-10, 190) and Bronson Caminos (5-9, 175), are interchangeable.

“We believe in depth,” Tokuda said.“All of these guys are making plays right now, so it’s hard to tell who’s first or second team.”

Seniors Tianeva Tyrell-Edra and Dustin Pauu highlight the secondary, with the latter expected to return kick-offs and punts. Pauu led the Mules in interceptions in 2005 with five, while Tyrell-Edra is the son of Eddie Edra, a stand-out running back on Leilehua’s Prep Bowl championship team in 1984.

Juniors Aaremy Palomares,Allan Macam and Robert Siavii fill out the secondary. Palomares’ cousin Junior plays for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Offensively, the Mules’attack centers around Moniz, who threw for over 1,000 yards last season despite missing five games due to an injury.

“He’s a college quarterback still stuck in high school,” Tokuda said of Moniz, who started every game as a sophomore in 2004. “He understands schemes and coverages; he has a good arm and good feet. He has 4.6 speed (in the 40-yard dash). He’s a coach on the field.”

The receiving corps should also be solid with the return of seniors Martin Iosefa and Will Landestoy.

Less settled is the backfield. “We have a committee of running backs right now, so hopefully someone will step up there,” Tokuda said.“Our area of concern is the offensive line. If they do the job, we should be difficult to stop.”

As at the linebacker position, depth can be found throughout the program, according to Tokuda.

“Our JV team won the OIA last year, so we’re excited about the kids who are coming up. They know what it takes to win.”

Leilehua’s schedule should rate among the more challenging in the state. The Mules host Kailua Aug. 18 in their pre-season opener and are at home against Saint Louis of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu the following week.