Thursday’s Spring Game To Showcase Mules’ Strength

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Whenever Nolan Tokuda needs reassurance that his defensive line is as promising as it looks, he just asks members of his offensive line, who have been knocking heads with the group in spring practice.

“They’re messing up all of our offensive plays,” joked Tokuda, whose Mules made a second straight appearance in the Division I state championship game last November. “Our five on offense are getting a good look from them, and they’ve been adjusting.”

Not surprisingly, many of the individual battles that make for a competitive spring have been most visible in the trenches, where Leilehua returns seven of its 11 starters, on both sides of the ball. Their public unveiling is at 4:30 p.m. Thursday at the Green and Gold game.

“Our strength will be our line play - offensively and defensively - and, of course, Andrew Manley,” said Tokuda. “We’re excited to get going.”

Leilehua has had its share of high-profile players on offense in recent years, but it has also built one of the state’s most consistent defenses, having finished in the top two in total defense in each of the last five years in the OIA’s Red West Conference, including this past fall when they were second to Mililani. Much of the buzz around the Wahiawa campus last week was the return of down-line-men Charlie Tuaau (6-4, 290), Frazer Taua (6-2, 260) and Zach Asuega (6-1, 215). The group’s talent pool also thickened with the unexpected arrival of transfer Chevez Ma’afala, a 6-2, 195-pound senior who played three years at Aiea.

A veteran secondary should also bode well for the defense with safety Sly Izumagaya and corner backs Alex Ruiz and Kasey Dukes in the fold.

Offensively, the Mules’ attack should revolve around Manley, who has proven himself to be one of the state’s most capable quarterbacks the past two years.

“He’s always had that leadership quality, and he and the offense are looking good. He went to a few camps, and he’s matured. In fact, the other day he asked me why I haven’t been yelling at him since we were four days into spring, but it’s because he’s been making all the right choices on and off of the field. He’s been calling our plays all through spring.”

Manley has already been offered a scholarship to University of Hawaii in addition to several Division II schools and will have a veteran offensive line to operate behind with four returnees in center Bronson Smithe, guard Jiniki Timoteo, guard Nate Schuster and tackle Koa Ascencio.

New to the group is Kalawaia Jenkins, who transferred from Damien last semester. “He’ll solidify the group,” Tokuda said.“Those five (on the line) will be the backbone of our offense.”

Also back on offense is junior fullback Austin Schmidt. The wide receiver corps was hit hard by graduation with Eideson Dumlao and Rico Newman completing their eligibility last December, but Tokuda has been pleased with the play of Fred Padrones, Kamana Akagi, Carlos Marshall and Blaine Furtado in spring.

“Those guys have been doing a heckuva job filling in,” Tokuda said of his pass catchers.

Admission to Thursday’s spring game is free. The band and cheerleading squad will also participate, and concession stands will serve food.

Just as the school will simulate game conditions, Tokuda expects his players to bring their “A” game. “It’s a reward as well as an evaluation (period) for us. It will help to decide who makes varsity. The question with the JV players (hoping to move up) is always, can they handle the varsity level? They have to prove it, and we’ll see that night.”