Santiago To Play In Senior Bowl
By Jack Danilewicz
E-mail this story | Print this page | Comments (0) | Archive | RSS | Share
Del.icio.usDespite an injury-riddled regular season this fall, Kapolei’s Aaron Santiago still has a chance to end his high school football career in style. Santiago is one of 50 players who will represent the West squad in Saturday night’s Hawaii Union Builders Goodwill Senior Bowl at Kunuiakea Stadium on the Kamehameha campus. Now in its 16th year, the event will feature the top senior football players from the Interscholastic League of Honolulu and Oahu Interscholastic Association.
Santiago has been one of the West’s top players since his sophomore season, but suffered an ankle injury against Mililani on Sept. 15 that sidelined him for all but two of the Hurricanes’ remaining games in 2006. Even so, he still put up impressive numbers in limited duty.
“I was hoping I’d get the call, but I thought the possibilities were slim, having only played in a couple of games,” said Santiago, whose older brother Jon plays for the Air Force Academy.“It’s a great opportunity for me, and it’s been great meeting all the other athletes from the West schools.
“We’ve been working hard - there are a lot of talented people on the (West) team,” he added.
“Hopefully, we’ll come out with a win. We want to keep the streak going. (With a win) it would be three in a row for the West.”
A strong individual performance would also boost Santiago’s prospects for receiving a college scholarship. He is currently hearing from Division II and Division III schools on the Mainland but hasn’t been offered an official visit yet.
“Hopefully, I can have a good game and I’ll get a few more calls (from college recruiters) after the game,” said Santiago, who is a member of the Kapolei soccer team as well. “High school went by real fast, especially this past season.”
Santiago, who began the season at quarterback for the Hurricanes before switching to receiver to make room for up-and-coming signal-caller Mason Koa, had 13 receptions for 253 yards and three touchdowns this season. He also rushed for 59 yards on 13 attempts, helping the Hurricanes to a 3-3 regular-season mark in the Oahu Interscholastic Association Red West Conference. Kapolei also handed West champion Waianae its only loss on Oct. 13. In addition to playing slot back for the West, he will also be featured on special teams as a returner and kicker.
Santiago will be joined on the West squad by Kapolei teammates Kamuela Foki (running back/outside linebacker) and Mike Matamua (two-way lineman). Foki rushed for 302 yards and four touchdowns for the Hurricanes this fall, averaging a team-best 7.5 yards per carry in the process.
Aiea will have three of its players - running back/safety Lofa Liilii, linebacker Mana Ohia and two-way lineman Mako Malepeai - on the West roster. One of the most versatile players in the state, Liilii was especially dangerous as a receiver this season, catching 43 passes for 536 yards and four scores.
Two-way linemen Timo and Matt Masafilo will represent Campbell for the West, with Pearl City center Cory Kikuchi also expected to take part.
Kickoff for Saturday’s game is set for 7:30 p.m. Tickets ($5) are available at the Aloha Stadium box office. (Children age 6 and under will be admitted free.)
E-mail this story | Print this page | Comments (0) | Archive | RSS
Most Recent Comment(s):
