The expectation for the Kealakehe football program is always championship or bust. Since the school won its first football title in 2004, there have only been three seasons that weren’t banner years for the Waveriders.
Hilo has won the last two DI championships, and during the two-year title drought, the Waveriders have suffered some humbling losses.
Sam Kekuaokalani enters his second year as the official head coach of the program and is hoping to turn the tide in the right direction in 2015. He also steered the Waveriders to an undefeated championship season in 2011 on an interim basis.
“We learned a lot last year about what kind of team we want to be. I think the boys understand what we are trying to accomplish,” Kekuaokalani said. “I feel good about what we are doing here. It’s not that I’m satisfied yet, but looking at the progression of things I think we are at where we need to be.”
The Waveriders certainly have the roster to make some noise in the BIIF, with more than two dozen seniors determined to go out with a championship.
“I think we will compete for the BIIF title,” said Kekuaokalani. “We will be right there again.”
Offense
The primary concern for Kealakehe will be consistently putting points on the board. The Waveriders averaged just a shade under 20 points last season, and were shut out three times — twice by eventual champion Hilo.
Taking over the reigns as offensive coordinator is Jerry Mareko, and he will have some talent to play with.
“We want a little more than last year from the offense,” Kekuaokalani said. “With that expectation, we are preparing efficiently and effectively and I think we will put up some good numbers. Jerry has really been teaching the boys and maximizing our opportunities.”
Kealakehe will continue to run the spread, but what is unknown is who will be receiving the snaps at quarterback.
Markus Degrate started a handful of games last year, but has competition in sophomore Anthony “Head” Trevino. Both have seen time with the first team in the preseason, and neither seemed to gain any ground in the QB battle until the final preseason game against Canadian high school squad Vincent Massey.
Trevino entered the game in the second half and sparked a fourth quarter comeback. Kealakehe came up just short, but the sophomore accounted for three scores (two rushing, one passing) and finished 9-of-17 for 170 yards. Degrate completed just five of 13 passes for 31 yards, with an interception and had a fumble returned for a touchdown.
While the quarterback situation is unclear, the Waveriders can find some solace up front on the line and at the skill positions.
Riggs Kurashige enters his third year as a valuable contributor in the offense. The shifty senior slot/wide receiver is a terror in the open field and can cause separation in a hurry. Kealakehe will likely use Kurashige primarily from the slot, running routes and hoping he can find the corner on sweeps, but he can also line up at running back.
The thunder to Kurashige’s lighting is Kobe Antolin and Ini Paio. The two bruising senior backs are tough to take down and can keep drives alive by fighting for extra yards. However, both Antolin and Paio and dealing with injuries. Paio suffered a hairline fracture in the leg during practice and Antolin popped his MCL in a preseason contest against Maui.
Akoni Demello, Dallas” Malosi” Laasaga and Mason Kaawa-Loa will split a heavier workload with both Paio and Antolin out.
Senior pass catchers Elijah Brouwer and Morgan Brandon will be the primary targets out wide. Luis Garcia-Monrroy will also be used in the passing game.
On the line, the Waveriders are in good shape with senior Josiah Kia and standout junior Tyler Tyrpak leading the way.
Defense
While the offense sputtered for most of last season, the defense kept games close. Many key contributors from that group return, most noticeably in the front four.
Senior defensive lineman Joseph Kaopua, Isaac “Sake” Kioa and Howard Cosare will look to cause havoc for Kealakehe in the trenches. Tui Faleofa will also get in the rotation, but left Kealakehe’s final preseason game with an injury.
Behind the big boys up front, Randy Hatori and Pulama Louis bolster a speedy linebacking corps. Bryton Lewi will also see time, while senior Hiilawe Manoi and sophomore Ismail Souza will get in the mix too.
In the secondary, senior DBs Klein Hao, and Sequoia Iona are the standouts. Shayne Ichishita, Keanu Alu and Daylen Tobosa Nishimura are also capable of dropping into coverage.
Special teams
Kicker Colby Martin was used in the final preseason game against Vincent Massey and showed he has some power to give Kealakehe a viable weapon on field goals. Gabriel Bala is another option for Kealakehe.
Iona is a returning All-BIIF selection at punter, but Pulama Louis also can boot the ball for big yardage.
Kurashige is a weapon in the open field on returns.