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Red Raiders Testing Out New ‘One-back’ Offense Scheme

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Kahuku High players practice their passes during practice on the school field. Photo by Leah Ball, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Kahuku head coach Reggie Torres saw enough individual brilliance in running back St. John Lessary III last season that he tweaked the offense in the off-season, implementing one-back sets, tailor-made for the 5-foot-11, 170-pound senior.

But if all goes according to plan, the Red Raiders won’t be relying on just one back this fall.“We have five good running backs,” said Torres, who quickly noted the addition of Washington-transfer Alapati Magalei, who has had an immediate impact in fall camp.

A stable of fine running backs has always been a given for the Red Raiders, who thrive on an old-school,power ground game.Among Torres’ priorities in the spring was to make the team less predictable by removing a fullback from the mix in certain situations.

“Our staff likes the improvement,” he added about the spread sets he installed,“but it’s a process. It looks good on paper.Now we have to make it happen. It’s something Kahuku has never done, but we’re still a running program.”

Indeed, although one-back teams are often labeled as ‘finesse’ offenses, colleges like Oregon State, Northwestern and Clemson have won consistently with run-oriented spread offenses.

Torres also is banking on a young group of athletic and agile linemen who seem ideally suited to the new scheme,which incorporates more zone blocking.

“None of our (projected) starters (on the offensive line) is even 290 (pounds). It just worked out that way. We like the big guys, but we also like the guys who can move.”

In Lessary, the team will have one of the state’s top players. He was the OIA Red East’s leading ground gainer in 2007 and had a great off-season and early-season camp, according to his coach.

“(Lessary) is the type of back that can change direction on a dime,” Torres said. “He’s smooth, like a Barry Sanders. One block, and he’ll find the hole.”

The addition of Magalei, son of former Kahuku standout Al Magalei (‘84), should figure big in the offensive plans. “He’s strong and relentless. He just keeps on coming, and he’s smart. He picked up our offense fast.”

Torres also is excited about running backs Viliami Pasi, Pololu Silva and Reupena Moors.

The biggest question in fall camp to date has been behind center, where seniors Allen Kubota and Siatima Tapusoa have been fighting it out with up-and-coming junior Sage Kaka since spring ball to be the starter for Friday’s preseason game at 8 p.m. against Kamehameha at Aloha Stadium.

Torres planned to wait out the scrimmages with Word of Life last Thursday and Mililani on Saturday before announcing a depth chart.

“It’s still up for grabs - all three are still in a tight race. All three can play another position, so they’ll still be helping us at wide receiver. Overall, Kaka may have the most potential,but the other two are more experienced and savvy.”

Up front, Torres anticipates as many as four sophomores possibly starting on the offensive line, led by returning letterman Jamal Napeahi, who was the lone freshman on varsity last season. Steven Siilata, Alexander (Cubby) Fetuli and Kamalani Aalona also have performed well in camp. The three-some played on the JV last season.

“They’ve impressed us enough that they’re going to be getting a lot of playing time,” Torres said.

As with most teams, Kahuku’s defense has been ahead of its offense in early season workouts, according to the third-year coach.“They’ve been very impressive. We’ve had some people switch over from offense to defense who are having a major impact.”

Among the changes was the shift in the off-season by Jray Galeai from quarterback to safety on defense, the position he’s most likely to play in college next year. “He’s a great athlete, a hard-worker and a great kid,” Torres said of Galeai, who is currently rated as the third best player in the state by the recruiting service, Rivals.com.

Galeai, who has already given a verbal commitment to BYU for next year, will anchor a secondary that also includes defensive backs Irwin Ah-Hoy and Aulola Tonga (No.10 college prospect in the state, according to Rivals.com).

“Both are looking good.“Torres also expects A.J.Atuaia’s switch from fullback to linebacker/defensive end to pay dividends for his defense. “He’s a stud,” he said of the 5-10, 230-pound senior.“He’s an under-the-radar type kid because he hasn’t played there (linebacker) yet.

“We had about 70 percent participation for our unsupervised workouts, so that was a big help. What we’re working on now is trying to perfect everything.”

Kahuku opens its regular season Aug. 22 versus Kailua at home.