Red Raider Defense Lookin’ Good
By Jack Danilewicz
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Del.icio.usIf Kahuku’s recent encounter with Saint Louis proved anything, it is that the Red Raiders’ defense is as good as previously advertised.
Indeed, after yielding only 155 total yards, Kahuku head football coach Reggie Torres could only declare the Red Raiders’ off-season shift from the 4-3 defense to a 3-4 alignment a roaring success.
“It worked great against Saint Louis,” Torres said of the 3-4.“We have good kids this year, but we’re undersized after graduating three big guys from the line, and we have great linebackers, so that’s why (a switch was made).”
Torres credited the coaching of defensive coordinator Kimo Haiola with Kahuku’s impressive opening-night showing.
“He’s a vital part (of the Kahuku operation). We were fortunate to carry him over from Siuaki’s staff. He coached in California before (Hawaii) and has great knowledge.”
The defense will be in a heightened state of alert this week as they prepare for Saturday’s game in Cedar City, Utah, against Bingham High School and its stellar running back Sam Langi. Like Kahuku, Bingham is a defending state champion (in Utah’s 5A class) and opened its 2007 season with a 34-7 win over Skyline High School that quickly grabbed the attention of Torres’ staff.
“We’ve played Skyline in the past; they’ve had some good teams. And Bingham just mopped up the floor with them this past weekend.”
Langi rushed for 235 yards to lead the way for the Miners (they had 314 total rushing yards) in their public unveiling Aug. 18, but Bingham is far from one-dimensional, in Torres’view. Both Kahuku and Bingham have exchanged game film this summer in preparation for Saturday’s game, so there is a lot of familiarity between the programs already.
“They mix it up a lot on offense - they give you a variety of looks from the spread to I-back ... and their running back (Langi) tore it up in the title game last year.”
Kahuku’s defense is led by line-backers Reid Tachibana and Paipai Falemalu (“They were all over the place versus Saint Louis,” Torres marveled),strong safety Shiloah Teo, and 6-foot-4, 310-pound down-lineman Anthony Siilata, who made the transition from the offensive side of the ball during spring practice in May.
While putting a veteran defense on the field should help Kahuku’s cause this weekend, they will look to get untracked, offensively, having been held to exactly 200 yards against Saint Louis. Kahuku’s offense could get a boost if running back Junior Mataafa can recover from a bruised Achilles suffered against Saint Louis. His 14 carries led the team, and he scored Kahuku’s only touchdown in that encounter on a 16-yard reception from Jray Galeai.
“The offense always comes along slower (than the defense) and, honestly, I think it is going to take us some more time,” Torres said. “We still have to get the right kids into the right places.We have a first-year quarterback (Galeai), who is a great athlete. When he gets comfortable, we’ll be fine.”
Kahuku has always been physical up front, and Torres thinks his current line, led by standouts Daniel Kinikini and Patrick Au, will again be a strength by season’s end.
“I’ll be very disappointed if we’re not successful (largely) because of them,” he said. “They have the size. They just need to stay healthy and stay eligible.”
Bingham was to meet Alta in a rematch of the 2006 Utah title game. Kahuku opens OIA Red East play at home Sept. 8 against Kalaheo.
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