Waiakea senior slotback Joe Alvarez is one of his team’s “tasers,” the electroshock weapon nickname given by coach Moku Rita, who’s counting on a six-pack of rushers to balance the offense.
The other speedy tasers are fellow slotback seniors Conrad Parks and Safune Wilson, juniors Joe Ongais and Isaiah Mahaulu, and junior running back Pono Auwae.
Auwae, a returning starter, will be the featured running back in the spread offense, whether in a shotgun — with a running back on the side of the quarterback, or pistol — with a running back behind the quarterback, formation.
The pistol in Waiakea’s set is great for play-action, while the shotgun allows a wee bit more time for a play to take shape — either pass or run.
The other tasers will also see time running the ball. It’ll be an interesting experiment whether six can be as productive as one. Last season Devin Preston carried the offense and rushed for 1,198 yards; he’s now at Eastern Washington.
Every opponent in the Big Island Interscholastic Federation knew he would get the ball, but no defense could really slow down Preston, who averaged 6.3 yards per carry.
“We want to be 50 percent run, 50 percent pass,” Rita said. “Last year, we were 90 percent run and 10 percent pass.”
The Warriors graduated 22 seniors, most of them first-year starters. At least, there’s a bit of experience back at the skill positions, and the all-important blocking department
“This year, we’re a young team,” Alvarez said. “It’s like we’re rebuilding, but we’ve got a lot of young kids who matured up from the junior varsity.”
Quarterback
Bryce Felipe, also a pitcher on Waiakea’s baseball team, gets the full-time job and a thumbs-up from Rita, who wouldn’t mind an occasional deep ball to keep a defense on its toes.
“He looks real good,” Rita said. “He’s a lot more accurate, and not too hesitant to throw the ball. He’s a good kid. He’s humble, quiet, and does what he’s asked.”
Running back
Auwae (5-4, 171) isn’t the biggest running back in the world. But he played on the Hilo Reign Under 19 rugby team, so he brings toughness to the gridiron, and much more.
“He runs hard and he’s hard to tackle,” Rita said. “He’s got good balance, and guys who try to tackle him he can shuck them off. He knows how to read blocks.”
Alvarez and Wilson are pegged to start at slotback while Parks, Ongais and Mahaulu will also share time running and catching the ball, and blocking.
“Alvarez is a shifty runner,” Rita said. “The tasers have all got different styles. When we’ve got Pono, Alvarez and Wilson on the field that’s three running backs at one time. They all can make plays out there.”
Wide receivers
Cody Cuba and Hunter Rapoza won spots at wideout. They’re on the shorter side; both are 5 feet 6 and about 140 pounds.
The good news is that both are juniors. They’ve got a lot of time to grow on the job, and in height and bulk to one day become tasers, too.
Offensive line
Mafu Tei stands 6 feet and weighs 313 pounds, and he’s still sprouting as a precocious sophomore. He recently moved from Sacramento, Calif., where he was on Grant High’s JV football team.
His parents, Tauinaola and Julai Tei, are pastors at Lighthouse Outreach Center. Tei has been embraced by the aloha spirit.
“The school is like my family,” he said. “All the football teams from the other schools feel like family. I felt that aloha in Hilo, and there are always positive things at the church.”
Being bigger than your age group has its benefits. Tei bypassed his peers, and got tough competition as a youngster, helping his confidence.
“When I was in the fifth grade, I played midget football and was 10 years old against 15- to 16-year-olds. It was a big jump and I was kind of scared. Once I figured I was the same size then it was, ‘I got it.’ We’ve got a big line, and good size.”
The young center has a veteran presence in returning left tackle Zach Devela while cousins Moses Mackwelung and Kainoa Torres are at guard. Nikolas Kamau (6-4, 300), another big guy, anchors the right tackle spot.
Defensive backs
Zac Correa led the league last season with 10 interceptions, including three for pick-six scores. For his productive junior season, he received All-BIIF …. honorable mention.
Rita is still scratching his head trying to figure the mystery to that All-BIIF first team omission.
Correa, Alvarez and Auwae all got nods at All-BIIF honorable mention at defensive back last season.
Correa is the only returning defensive starter. The rest of the defensive players saw minutes, but none held down a full-time job. Kainalu Fejeran will start at the other cornerback spot.
“Zac’s sneaky and always around the ball,” Rita said. “Fejeran plays the position just like Zac.”
Shane Smith will be at strong safety, and Marc Ferreira, a fellow first-year senior starter, will be the free safety.
“It’s Ferreira’s first year in football,” Rita said. “He’s got exceptional speed. If he gets burnt, he can catch up, make the tackle and knock the ball down.”
Defensive line
Kingston Poai and Robert Aku will anchor the tackle spots. Ridge Quitoriano and Manu Sevao will clamp down the perimeter at end.
Aku received All-BIIF honorable mention at D-line last year.
Linebackers
Kelii Perez-Poai will start at middle linebacker and the perimeter partners will be Parks and Noah Matsuura.
“Kelii didn’t start last year, but he’s pretty stout and knows how to read plays,” Rita said. “Parks is a sure tackler and he’s always around the ball. Matsuura is still learning, but has potential.”
As for Rita’s goal, it’s pretty simple.
“Get some wins, and we’ll be happy,” he said.