Na Ali’i Get Into A Fresh State Of Mind For OIA Playoffs
By Jack Danilewicz
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Del.icio.usThe Aiea football team didn’t have to wait for this weekend’s OIA White Conference playoff opener to get into the post-season mind-set. Na Ali’i have been in that frame of mind for most of the season, according to head coach Wendell Say.
“There are a lot of good teams from the White that didn’t make the playoffs this year,“said Say,whose team was 7-1 overall (6-1 in the White) heading into their season finale with Moanalua last weekend.“We’ve been playing one game at a time.”
The evidence of what has been a great 2009 campaign so far is overwhelming for Aiea,but the reality of the post-season is that there is no margin for error now. Na Ali’i must win their game this weekend (opponent was to be determined Saturday) or go home.
“This is what you play for,” Say said.“You don’t want it to end. Our goal is to take it (the season) to December.”
Aiea won a Division II state title in 2003 under Say, and it looks like they could be a factor again this year,but they have to ensure a top-three finish in the OIA playoffs first. The good news is that they have a defense that makes teams go the long, hard route to score.All told,Aiea leads the entire DII in scoring defense, yielding 10.1 points per outing.
Lawrence Lagafuaina, who recently made a verbal commitment to attend Washington next year, has anchored the Aiea defense this season.
“He’s been a major player for us,” Say said. “That wasn’t a surprise, but he’s playing up to his potential.”
Say also praised the play of veteran linemen Max Maafala-Maiava, Chad Patolo and Leo Sio and defensive back Chuckie Kaahanui. Kaahanui played quarterback earlier in the season when current starter Freddy Taliulu was out with an injured collarbone,but has returned to the defense where he’s had a huge impact. For his part, Taliulu has played big for Aiea since coming back,throwing for 552 yards and seven touchdowns against just two interceptions. He ended up missing just three games.
“It’s amazing he could come back so soon,“Say said. “I’ve never seen anyone heal so fast. He’s made of good stock.”
Wide-out Kekoa Thompson has been the top offensive weapon this year with nine touchdowns and a 19.3 yards-per-catch average on 29 receptions. Na Ali’i also feature a solid kicking game behind Nicholas Hiraoka, who has a pair of field goals on his resume to go with 24 point-after kicks.
As they begin the Second Season, special teams are a point of emphasis, according to Say.“The kids take pride in special teams. We always emphasize that we have to win two of the three phases (special teams, offense and defense). We have yet to play that perfect game. That’s the goal - to play well in all three phases.”
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