Castle Football Charges On Despite ‘Undersized Lineups’

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On the football field, there’s never been a substitute for speed, especially at Castle, which has always been known in football circles for getting the most out of its often-undersized lineups. With the loss of several key skilled players to graduation from last year’s team, the Knights welcomed the return of junior Jesse Humalon, who missed all of 2005 with an injury.

Humalon was one of the bright spots in Castle’s recently completed spring football sessions. Cleared by doctors to take part in spring ball only days before the May 22 starting date, he quickly asserted himself, according to longtime Knights head coach Nelson Maeda.

“With Blaine (Kobashigawa) and Lihikai (Domingo) graduated, we’re trying to replace some speed,” Maeda said. “He brings some speed to us. He’s had a good spring. He’s going to help us. He’ll play slotback, and he’ll be what we call a ‘cover-corner(back)’ on defense in certain passing situations.”

Under the Oahu Interscholastic Association’s guidelines, the Knights were allotted 14 days in which to conduct 10 spring practices.

Castle’s spring culminated in a scrimmage open to the public in the recently renovated stadium on June 5. Spring football also broke up the drudgery of what was an intense off-season for the Knights, who had begun weight training in February.

“Our slogan here has always been ‘Commitment to Excellence,’” Maeda said. “We had a bunch of kids here who had a 100 percent attendance record from February to the beginning of spring. There were 56 work-outs in all, and to their credit, those kids made it to every one. A missed work-out is not something that can be made up the following day.”

This month, Castle will begin its summer football sessions with fall camp set to officially start July 31. The Knights were allowed three days of full contact during the spring, but aren’t allowed to suit up in full pads again until Aug. 6, the second week of fall camp.

Although they could only fully suit up for three days, the Knights were anxious to knock heads.

“They couldn’t wait. That’s the nature of football - it’s an aggressive sport - and it gave us coaches a feel for which players could perform under the duress of contact. We put some kids under fire in contact situations, and that’s going to help us.”

In addition to Humalon, Maeda also praised the play of three-year starter Scott Keiter-Charles, Andrew Fakatoka, Solomon Koelher and Thomas Ilae. All figure to play on both sides of the ball in the fall.

“Scott played very well,” Maeda said. “As a three-year starter, we have great expectations for him. Solomon is an upcoming junior, and Andrew has a lot of potential. He’s a converted defensive end and one of the bigger backs we’ve had here in awhile, so we’re hoping he can blossom (as a ball carrier).”

Ilae may be the most versatile member of the Castle team, meanwhile, having played wide receiver, free safety and quarterback in the Knights’ spring game.

“We’re going to move him around and try and utilize his abilities,” Maeda said of Ilae.

Maeda and his staff met last week to evaluate the spring and select a summer team. For the fifth consecutive summer, Castle will take park in the Kaimuki passing league, which will also include Leilehua, Kalaheo, Pearl City, Roosevelt, Farrington and McKinley in addition to the host Bulldogs.

A trio of quarterbacks - Bryson Ukauka, Kawehi Sablan and Ilae - received the majority of the repetitions during the spring. Ukauka could have the inside track heading into fall camp, however, after starting three games and appearing in all of Castle’s contests as a junior last season.

“The spring gave them all some very good work,” Maeda said.“The passing league will give us a chance to refine our passing game. It’s more low key, so it is more of an opportunity to teach and coach.

“Our defense was a step or two ahead of the offense, and that’s to be expected (at this stage). The defense gives us a good base to work from.”