Seven Starters Return To Kapolei’s Defensive Lineup

Wednesday - August 08, 2007
By Jack Danilewicz
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Mason Koa returns as a senior and quarterback for Kapolei High School. Photo by Byron Lee
Mason Koa returns as a senior and quarterback for Kapolei High School. Photo by Byron Lee

After sending three quarterbacks to Division I schools in the first five years of its existence, the Kapolei football program’s reputation as an offensive powerhouse has pretty much been sealed.

That won’t change this season with Mason Koa back in the fold for his senior year at quarterback,but all signs point to Kapolei’s defense leading the way early in 2007.Seven starters return to that side of the ball for the Hurricanes, with play-makers at every position.

“We’re hoping they’ll come around and take a big step forward,“Kapolei coach Darren Hernandez said of his defense. “Right now, that is our strength. What I like about our group is that they’re all runners. They run to the ball well and they hit, and they understand that they all have a role to play.”

Kapolei, which is coming off of a 4-6 season in 2006, is in the midst of fall camp, in preparation for its pre-season opener Aug. 17 versus ILH foe Damien. Oceanic 16 will televise the game to a statewide audience.


While only a pre-season encounter, the Damien game will provide the Hurricanes’ defense with its first big test of the year. The Monarchs fea-ture one of the state’s premier running backs in Kama Bailey, who had a big game against Kapolei last season with 185 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Indeed, there couldn’t be a more fitting opponent for the Hurricanes to open the season with, as much of the early-season optimism at Kapolei surrounds its talented defensive line, which includes Chad Lopati, Trent Nakata and Othaniel Maiava, and a line-backing corps highlighted by Cyril Ontai and Tim Brown. Also back are free safety Kalae Parish and strong safety Keliiholokai Aki.

“They’re very fast and very athletic,” Hernandez said. “Our corners look real solid, too,“he added, noting projected starters Nate Dixon and Lyle Brackenridge. “Hopefully, that will allow us to become more creative on defense.”


On the offensive side of the ball, experience is harder to find,with only three returning starters. High expectations remain,however,even though the Hurricanes will field a relatively young offense in 2007.

“We’re still searching for our identity,but we’ll be balanced.We lost a couple of guys on the line that are hard to replace, although we do have the three back. We’re hoping we can be a team that can score from anywhere on the field.”

Leading the way is Koa, who was the catalyst for the Hurricanes in 2006 during his junior season and who is cut from the same cloth as former Kapolei and current college quarterbacks Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada (Navy), Brad Padayo (Eastern Oregon) and Jon Medeiros (Hawaii).

“He’s been our best athlete,” Hernandez said of Koa. “If he can continue to mature and improve on the mental aspect of the game - like reading defenses, he gives us a good chance to do well because he’ll have the ball in his hands a lot.”

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Finding a target should not be a problem. The Hurricanes’ already deep receiving corps was bolstered by the addition of a pair of transfers in Chase Alcott (from Saint Louis) and Shenon Moore (from Kaiser). The pair join an already experienced group led by Dixon, Aki and senior Gen Priest, whom Hernandez calls “the fastest player on the team.”

Ontai also returns to his fullback position,where he enjoyed a solid season in 2006, while Kaipo Nakatani (5-6, 275), Luke Spencer (6-2, 265) and Stan Hasiak (6-6, 295) all return to the offensive line.“Ontai and Aki are physical guys who can move the pile, while Moore,Alcott and Dixon are underneath guys who can open things up,” Hernandez said. “Some of them - Moore, Dixon, Brackenridge and Alcott - will bring some much-needed punch to our return game (on special teams).”

Contact Jack Danilewicz at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

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