On the field, Mikey Rabara has earned the reputation as a tenacious, run-stopping safety, not scared to come up from his spot in the secondary and fill holes.
So it’s appropriate that when the 2013 Konawaena graduate saw a hole on the McPherson College football roster, he was ready to pursue it at full speed.
Rabara has signed on to McPherson College, where he will immediately compete for a starting safety spot and pursue his bachelor’s degree in business. He will receive a financial package that will cover nearly 80 percent of his costs.
“I was at a loss for words when I got the offer,” Rabara said. “I felt very comfortable when I was talking to the coaches and I went with what my heart was feeling. I know my reality is playing two more years of football and getting my degree. That is the most important thing to me.”
The Bulldogs play in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference of the NAIA. The team finished 4-7 last season. The school in McPherson, Kan., has an enrollment of just over 700 students.
McPherson Associate Head Coach Justin Van Houten — who also coaches the secondary — was impressed by Rabara’s tenacity.
“He is a very physical player,” Van Houten said. “That’s what stands out immediately on his tape. We were looking for a safety that could play near the line of scrimmage and in the box to provide run support. Mikey brings that. And you see his passion in the way he plays. Guys that bring that kind of passion to the game are always willing to put in the extra time to be great.”
That mentality is likely something Rabara picked up playing linebacker for the Wildcats. During his time in Kealakekua, Rabara was a key member of Konawaena’s title teams in 2011 and ’12. He earned All-BIIF honors as a junior at linebacker and running back, and added a Defensive Player of the Year honor to his resume during his senior campaign.
“I don’t really care how big you are,” Rabara said. “I’m going to come at you with all I’ve got. I love to hit.”
Rabara is expected to be a major contributor right away, as the Bulldogs graduated both of their starting safeties.
“To secure a starting spot is my ultimate goal,” Rabara said. “I know I have big shoes to fill. One of the seniors who graduated was a three-year starter.”
After graduating from Konawaena, Rabara spent two years at Butte Community College in California, a school with a reputation of churning out Division I talent, like former Cal and current Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers.
Rabara got in the mix his freshman season before being sidelined with an ankle injury, but had a front-row seat as the Roadrunners were named co-National Champions in 2013.
“Being a part of that championship run, man, I can’t find the words to describe it,” Rabara said. “We took it a game at a time. That was our motto — 1-0 every week. I’m so thankful to have taken away that experience from Butte.”
With a year under his belt, Rabara started the majority of games his sophomore year and added valuable footage to his highlight tape.
Van Houten said seeing Butte at the top of Rabara’s resume made his decision easy to add the Big Island native to the roster.
“When you get a kid that has been in a great program like Butte, they are almost already a proven commodity. They are playing against great competition at that school,” Van Houten said. “To have a lot of success playing at a high level is a great indicator that they will be able to be contributors. We have a lot of spots to fill, and Mikey comes in to help fill one of those spots. I feel our best days with this team are ahead of us.”
Rabara will graduate with his associate degree in the spring, and is more than ready for his next challenge.
“I want to do everything I can do to help this team win a championship,” Rabara said. “Coming from Butte, they instill that in your brain. I’m ready to get out there and win a championship.”