A Series Of Fortunate Events
By Jack Danilewicz
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Lalo Respecio always thought he’d be a great fit for the run-and-shoot offense.As the starting quarterback at Nanakuli, which ran the run-oriented wing-T, those thoughts were usually relegated to his subconscious, however.
That was until a series of events this off-season changed things considerably for the 5-foot-11 senior-to-be. First, his family moved into Campbell High School’s district, giving him the option of joining the Sabers’ program. Next, the Aiea High offensive coordinator Amosa Amosa, long-time star in the local coaching community for his teaching of the run-and-shoot, took the head coaching job at Campbell.
“I knew of him (Amosa) from when he was at Aiea, so I was excited to see that he was named head coach,” Respecio said of Amosa. “The run-and-shoot is awesome, and I’ve been waiting to run it for a long time.We always ran the wing-T at Nanakuli, but the run-and-shoot is potent, like UH’s offense.”
As the Sabers get set to begin their 2008 season on Friday night with a preseason encounter at Roosevelt, how well Respecio and the Campbell offense fare figures to be among the more interesting stories of the night.
Respecio was recently named the Sabers’ starting quarterback after a solid fall camp, according to Saber quarterback coach Wyatt Tau.
“Right now, he’s the guy in line,” said Tau. “His arm strength is good - this guy can throw the ball - and he has good accuracy. He’s still trying to learn the run-and-shoot, but he’s catching on quick. He’s talented.
“He’s built like a defensive end,” he added of Respecio, who packs 200 solid pounds into his 5-11 frame,“and he runs a 4.7 in the 40 (yard dash).”
With Respecio behind center last fall, Nanakuli averaged 229 yards per game, fourth-best in total offense in the Oahu Interscholastic Association’s White Conference. Through six games last season, he has attempted just 52 passes in the wing-T, a total he’s likely to easily pass by halftime of week two in the pass-happy run-and-shoot.
“The run-and-shoot fits my talents, although it’s my first-time running it,” Respecio admitted.
Tau sees learning to make reads quickly among the challenges a first-year quarterback faces in operating the run-and-shoot.
“He’s having to learn to read the corner(back)s and the safeties - in our system every route complements another route - but he’s been doing good,” Tau said. “He’s just a fine kid who listens well. He likes to stay after practice and throw more passes to better his timing.You can’t ask for a harder working kid.
“He’s just like Samson (Anguay). He tries to better himself every time out.”
For his part, Anguay enters the 2008 season with a reputation as one of the most exciting players in the state after a spectacular sophomore season that saw him score 11 touchdowns.
Campbell Notes: Friday’s game at Roosevelt (7 p.m.) will mark the first game played at the school’s Ticky Vasconcellos Stadium since a new state-of-the-art artificial surface was installed in the off-season ...
The game with the Rough Riders was to be the second in a home-and-home series between the schools, but last year’s matchup, which was supposed to take place at Campbell, was canceled after vandals stole copper wiring from the Sabers’ stadium,making its lighting system inoperable for the varsity game. . .
With Nanakuli moving up to Division I this fall, Respecio will not face his former teammates while quarterbacking for Campbell. . .
The Sabers open their regular season on Friday, August 22, at home versus Waialua.
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