Two Camps Give Mustangs Galloping Start In OIA White
By Jack Danilewicz
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Del.icio.usKalaheo’s football camp last month at Sonoma State did more than promote team unity. The play against several California teams also brought a return to full contact after months of off-season drudge work.
“You start in February, and it’s nothing but lifting, running, conditioning and many schools of thought on how to get the body ready,” said coach Chris Mellor. “But it’s always nice to compete against people you don’t see every day. We had a very good energy going against those California kids in camp.”
None was more diligent than twoway seniors Toa Fonoimoana and Kainoa Lauriano. Both are leaders on the 2009 team that went 6-4 and which has high hopes once again.
“They got to compete, and they had a great time,” Mellor said. “They’re tenacious bookends for us.”
Fonoimoana plays offensive tackle and end in Kalaheo’s 4-4 scheme, defensively. “He’s just a great player. I like his ability to engage, his unselfishness in getting into shape and his commitment. He gives you all of that. He had a great camp out there. He was really knocking heads.”
Lauriano is linebacker and an offensive tackle. “Like Toa, Kainoa never misses practice and he never complains. He has great football instincts. He has a knack for the ball on defense, and offensively, he’s a beast.”
Staff gave Lauriano a ” Camp Stud” award for his defensive play. Quincy Mason got the offensive “Camp Stud” award. Above all, camp was a good springboard into fall camp back here. Unlike most schools, Kalaheo won’t have a preseason game this weekend, making its OIA White opener next week against Waialua (at Kailua).
“We’ll look at last year’s film again, and we’ll go and watch them play,” Mellor said. “They’re usually very balanced (offensively). He (Waialua’s Lincoln Barit) is a very good coach.”
Kalaheo’s own football revival under Mellor is due largely to the veer offense. This year it has a talented backfield again with running back Jesse Carney and quarterback Justin Pagan poised for stellar seasons.
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