It’s Double Duty Again For Knights

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Blake Rapozo returns as quarterback for the Castle Knights. Photo by Nathalie Walker, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

As Nelson Maeda roams back into Castle’s recent history and ticks off a long list of stout two-way players who excel, one characteristic binds them together - to the man, they all had great off-seasons prior to great seasons in the fall.

“Our philosophy has always been to put the best players on the field,” he said. “Guys like Corey Paredes, Keone Gomes, Travis Paaga, Scott Keiter-Charles ... It’s a tribute to them that they could get into that kind of shape. It’s a challenge to play both ways. For us to be successful, we have to outwork our opponents. Come the fourth quarter, we have to be as strong as in the first, because the other teams will be shuttling new people in.”

In an era of specialization, it may be less fashionable to have two-way players, but Castle’s success rate with it is undeniable. A large number of the 17 lettermen from last season will likely be called on to play both ways this season, which begins Aug. 15 with a preseason home game against Mililani. The good news is that, as in past years, Castle brought plenty of momentum into camp after diligent off-season workouts, which began in January and continued through summer.

“The mind-set is really good among our basic nucleus of 42 kids,” said Maeda, whose team is hoping to bounce back from a 3-6 season in 2007 (3-3 in the OIA Red West).“They’ve been very committed, and the attitude is really good. We’re working our way toward the goals we set. Conditioning will be of extreme importance.With only 42 kids, we’ll have to be in great shape to lessen the possibility of injury.”

Among the priorities heading into fall camp is a commitment to eliminate self-inflicted wounds. “One of the biggest goals this year is to become a very disciplined football team. That’s foremost among our coaching staff. Last year, we had one of our biggest lines in history, but we didn’t play well as a group. We had over 100 yards a game in penalties, so our lack of discipline hurt us in all phases - offense, defense and special teams. We’re making a major push to reinforce the team concept - suppress the individuality and emphasize the ‘we’ instead of ‘me.’”

The Knights are counting on big seasons from Kawehi Sablan (OLB/RB), K.J. Aipia (DE/WR), Mitchell Lum (LB), Nainoa Haitsuka (DB/WR), Loewn Rogers (DB/SB), Hans Reppuhn (DB/SB), Garrett Paredes (RB/LB), Mana Chang (OL/DL), Seth Ilae (OL/DL), Sesolu Cocker (OL/LB) and wide receiver/defensive back Shaydon Kehano. All will play both ways.

Maeda said senior quarterback Blake Rapozo will concentrate on offense after playing in the secondary a year ago. He also split time behind center with Thomas Ilae, who has completed his eligibility.

“Having Blake back is a big bonus for us. He learned under fire last year. Right now, he’s our best quarterback on the field.”

Maeda also is high on backups Jasen Ferreira and Derek Hillegass from last year’s JV team. Ferreira was quarterback and has been taking a lot of reps on the defensive side of the ball at linebacker. Hillegass was the JV kicker.

Another JV player poised to make an impact this fall is Kehano, a 5-foot-9, 160-pound junior. “He’s a very athletic kid. He was a big-play guy on the JV, and he’ll be a big factor on both sides of the ball.”

Defense has always been the Knights’ forte, and they hope to regain their past form. While his team gave up only 12.4 points per contest in six OIA games last year - a figure second only to league champion Kahuku - it conceded 29, 25 and 36 points, respectively, in losses to Kalaheo, Farrington and Leilehua.

“Defensively, we have to work at being consistent,” he said.“Offense plays a significant role in that. We can’t go three and out. Our success will depend on team play, and everyone will have to pick up their game.”

The Knights, who open their regular season against Kaimuki on Aug. 23 at Roosevelt, will play five of their eight games at home, including four straight versus Punahou (Aug.29), Farrington (Sept. 5), Roosevelt (Sept. 12) and McKinley (Sept. 26).