Chargers Score Defensive Player Of Year In Conference
By Jack Danilewicz
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Del.icio.usPearl City linebacker Cyrus Coen’s value to his own team didn’t go unnoticed by opponents. Even after a foot injury sidelined him for two games this fall, Coen was still selected as the OIA White Conference Defensive Player of the Year in a vote of league coaches.
“He had a good year - we’re really proud of him,” coach Kai Kamaka said of Coen, who also made the White’s Second Team as a safety.
“He did all we expected of him and even more. We wish we had had him for the Kaimuki game because I think he would have made a difference for us.”
Fellow senior linebacker Ray Cooper also was a First Team selection from the Chargers, who finished 6-4 overall and 5-3 in the White Division. Previously an H-Back, Cooper shifted to outside linebacker this season and had a monster season.
“He was a diamond in the rough,” Kamaka said of the shift. “He stepped in and picked up things real well (on defense).”
Kamaka was disappointed for linebacker Chayse Tagalog not being named to either the White’s First or Second teams, especially after leading the Chargers in tackles for a second straight year. On the positive, Tagalog is only a junior with a full season of eligibility remaining. He was named to the Honorable Mention team.
On the offensive side, Diacorri Briscoe and Iokepa Alcantra made the First Team at wide receiver and center, respectively.
“We knew Diacorri would be good back in the off-season,” Kamaka said of Briscoe, who is only a sophomore. “He’s gotten a lot faster and taller, and he worked on his hands, which was the one thing we thought he really needed to improve on. When you get him the ball, he can make big things happen.
“Iokepa’s strength is his overall smarts for the game. He has to be the quarterback of our (offensive) line.”
Josiah Demello (defensive lineman) and Ronson Barret (defensive back) both made the Second Team Defense, while Dustin Bataya, Isaac Shim, Shawn Lopez, Shawnson Batungbacal, Kupono Alipio, Paul Perry, Jayden Zaldo, Troy BarbosaScanlan, DJ Moe, Nick Villarmia and Jordan Mendiola joined Tagalog on the Honorable Mention team.
Running back Victor Moananu and lineman Tupe Taito were named to the First Team Offense from Waipahu, which finished 6-3 overall and 6-2 in the White. Down linemen Nathan Ortiz and Faa Risati and safety Mason CorpuzSlade were First Team selections from the Marauders on defense.
Jonathan Lee (OL), Benjamin Pakau (OL), Wesley Nagaseu (LB) and Aaron Cox (DB) were named to the Second Team from Waipahu. Fifteen Waipahu players - Mark Bumanglag, Drake Yoshioka, Devin Kaneshiro, Justica Amadeo, Bryson Kaseli, Sailele Tulafale, Aukusitino Maugaotega, Nathaniel Timoteo, Tyler Ate-Taito, Unaloto Taufuiaki, Sione Posoa, Preston Guevara, Tafatolu Naea, Christian Gonzaga and Sebastian Kim - also were named Honorable Mention.
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