Mustangs Keep Working Hard After Triumph Over Iolani
By Jack Danilewicz
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While fans were celebrating the Mustangs’ win over Iolani in inter-league play last week, head football coach Chris Mellor and his team were quick to return to work.
“Seasons are long, and nothing is guaranteed,” he said. “That was a big win for the school - we really wanted to go there and play a good football game. But we need to back it up this week and the next week by being ready to play.
“Our work ethic has been good so far. The kids worked hard on Monday. We have some maturity here.”
The workmanlike approach has paid huge dividends so far.The Aug. 25 win over Iolani followed a 43-0 rout of Nanakuli in a pre-season game and gave the team momentum heading into last Friday’s OIA Red East opener. This Saturday Kalaheo faces its biggest challenge to date vs.defending state champion Kahuku on Red Raider turf.
“Tradition and history are big factors,“Mellor said of Kahuku, which has won 11 OIA titles since 1993. “They’re a good coaching staff, and they have good kids. They filmed our game against Iolani, so I’m sure they’ll have us figured out. We just have to come out and play hard football. It will be Kahuku’s first home game, so there should be good energy there.”
Although vastly improved on defense this fall, in a sense Kalaheo’s best defense remains its veer offense, which can trim time off the clock. Mellor hopes to shorten the game on Saturday.“Our approach would be the same as against Iolani,” said Mellor, whose staff includes Sipi Siliga, David Stephens, Alan Marumoto and Robert Crowell.
“We’d like to keep their offense off of the field. That probably gives you the best chance to win.”
The catalyst on offense has been senior quarterback Cody von Appen. A starter since his sophomore year, he made several clutch runs against Iolani, and is backed by a talented supporting cast that also includes up-and-coming running back Phil Taui and a solid offensive line.Running back Max Karsten also figures big in the Mustang attack.
“Cody is playing his best football. He still has a lot to learn, but he’s older now, and Phil is a play-maker. We’re prepping him to be our quarterback next year, but we think it’s best to have him on the field even if it’s at a different position. Our offensive line has done a good job so far, although they’ll be going up against tougher defensive lines.”
Linebacker Dillan Hanawahine and safety Bruce Andrews have led the way so far defensively.“They’ve both played exceptional and as advertised - fierce.”
Considered the team to beat in the OIA,Kahuku was to return from Utah over the weekend after playing defending Utah champion Bingham. The team has eight players being recruited by colleges coming out of spring practice.
They are heavy with veterans on defense, including linebackers Reid Tachibana and Paipai Falemalu, strong safety Shiloah Teo,and 6-foot-4, 310-pound down-lineman Anthony Siilata,who made the transition from the offensive line during spring practice.
Standouts Daniel Kinikini and Patrick Au anchor the offensive line. Running back Junior Mataafa was recovering from a bruised Achilles that left his status in question last weekend, but Kahuku coach Reggie Torres expected him to be ready for Kalaheo.
While there is depth at running back, Mataafa’s 14 carries against Saint Louis in their pre-season game led the team, and he also proved a valuable receiver, having scored the only touchdown in that encounter on a 16-yard reception from Jray Galeai.
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