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Cougars Gaining Confidence With Each Encounter

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The “D” line of Andrew Wingert, Tukia Aholelei, Sean Harken
and Bronson McMoore. Photo by Nathalie Walker, staff
photographer.

The evidence of what has been a stellar 2006 season is overwhelming for the Kaiser football team as of late. But Cougar coach Pat Samsonas would be the last one in the program to underestimate the importance of his team’s lone setback - a 13-12 loss to Kaimuki back on Sept. 2. Ironically, that game continues to be a rallying point for the Cougars, who host Roosevelt at 7 p.m. Friday at Kaiser Stadium.

“Since that game, we’ve been on a mission, and we’re playing the best football I’ve seen us play,” said Samsonas, whose team had taken a three-game win streak (and 3-1 Oahu Interscholastic Association White Conference record) into last weekend’s game with Pearl City. “The kids are peaking now, which is the time you want to peak. We’re controlling our own destiny.”

After their loss to Kaimuki, the Cougars reeled off impressive wins against Nanakuli (20-8), Anuenue (42-16) and Waialua (42-21) to position themselves in a second-place tie in the White Conference heading into the game with Pearl City. Along the way, Samsonas has seen his team’s assertiveness grow with each day on the practice field.

“The Kaimuki game was a good lesson for us on the football field and in life,” Samsonas said. “Kaimuki is very talented, but they’re small in numbers and our guys took them lightly (for that reason). You can’t take anyone lightly. They don’t ever want to have that feeling again.”

Mental preparation will once again be of paramount importance for the Cougars this week. Indeed, with Friday’s game versus Roosevelt falling in between last weekend’s showdown with Pearl City and the much-anticipated annual meeting with archrival Kalani Oct. 13, a let-down would seem a possibility. But Samsonas is confident his senior-dominated team will bring its “A-game” this weekend.

“Kalani is a rivalry 365 days of the year, not just the week of the game, so we know we’ll be up for that game when we get there,” Samsonas said.”(As for this week’s game with Roosevelt), this team has been pretty good at focusing on the matter at hand.”

On a team loaded with talent at the skilled positions, Samsonas attributes Kaiser’s success to date in large part to its play in the trenches, defensively.

Down linemen Tukia Aholelei, Sean Harken,Andrew Wingert and Bronson McMoore have set the tone for the Cougars’ defense, which is tutored by defensive coordinator Sean Takamori.

“Our (defensive) front four is the key right now,” Samsonas said.“In all my years of football, this front four has as many sacks as I’ve seen (from a group at this point in the season). Our nose guard (Aholelei) and tackle (Harken) have six to eight sacks just between them.

“Tukia is double- and triple-teamed constantly, and he has about five sacks, which is great for a nose guard,” Samsonas added. “He’s stood out since the day he came to Kaiser. His leg strength is great, and he has quickness. Sean is more about quickness, but he’s well-rounded. Those two guys both trained like animals in the summer and the off-season.”

Wingert also helps to anchor an offensive line that has aided running back Isaac Saffery in becoming the state’s third leading rusher heading into last weekend’s game with Pearl City. Saffery is averaging 6.3 yards per carry and trailed only Mililani’s Jordan Torres and Damien’s Kama Bailey in total yards through last week’s games. Saffery’s 202-yard (and three touchdown) effort in the Waialua game was a season-high.

“Since the Kaimuki game, he’s rushed for over 100 yards in every game after that,” Samsonas said.“I attribute a lot of that to the offensive line, and he’s also been on a mission.”

The Cougar offense also boasts quarterback Skyler Chan, who was a wide-out in 2005, and wide receiver (and defensive back) Jake Esteban.

“These guys are gelling, and we’re making plays when we have to,” Samsonas said. “It’s not an easy thing to play well, but the guys are coming together after a slow start. The big thing we’re talking about is being able to maintain our level of play.”