David Pakele finds his motivational fire every time he looks at the mirror.
The Hilo senior defensive tackle is 5 feet 10 and 301 pounds, short for football bulldozers in the trenches.
Still, he hasn’t been overlooked. Last season, he was named to the All-BIIF first team, along with 14 other Vikings.
Pakele, offensive linemen Seth Fukushima and Chandler Kelii, and linebacker Rylen Kaniaupio are the only ones back.
Hilo’s quest for a BIIF Division I title threepeat will depend heavily on a defense that has a lot of holes to fill.
The Vikings lost all of their starters in the secondary. An effective remedy is a ferocious pass rush, and that’s where Pakele comes in.
“I’m undersized at my position, and I’m going against guys who are bigger than me,” he said. “I like to come out and show myself that all my hard work has been worth it.”
Pakele has a 2.8 grade-point average and would like to play ball in California, where his grandma lives. His career plan is to become a firefighter.
He’s into jiu-jitsu and club judo, where he goes to Waiakea Rec Center. Pakele’s only other BIIF sport is the shot put and discus for the track team.
His dad Daniel Pakele, who works for Environet, Inc., is a big influence.
“Every day he gives me talks about education, not sports,” Pakele said. “He tells me to have a good life it goes through education. The first time I told him I wanted to play football was the last quarter in eighth grade.
“He said, ‘Ok.’ That night I did three reps of three push-ups, three sit-ups and three squats. That was my first workout and I’ve worked my butt off since.”
Pakele lives by the adage of just flattening a ball carrier and turning down his volume.
“I’m not too vocal,” he said. “I like to show my work and lead by example.”
Offense
Quarterback
Ka‘ale Tiogangco will run Hilo’s pistol spread with a fullback behind him. He was the junior varsity quarterback last year.
The 5-10, 160-pound junior throws easy spirals, but co-head coach Kaeo Drummondo really likes his intangibles.
“He’s developed into being a leader on offense, and we really need someone to step up on both sides of the ball, same thing with David,” Drummondo said. “He’s definitely worked hard at being a vocal leader. For some guys, it’s not their personality and it’s uncomfortable. But in the long run, it’ll help us.
“What’s big for us is he’s a dual threat. He can sit in the pocket and make his reads, and get rid of the ball on time. When things break down, he’s a threat on the run. At the same time, we want him to be smart, take what you can get, step out of bounds and don’t take that extra hit.”
Running back
There will be a stable of ball carriers, including Isaac Lerma, Kahale Huddleston, Pono Auwae and Cierra Kelii, who’s also on the Hilo girls basketball team.
“Isaac has a good running style. Everything comes easy, same thing with Pono,” Drummondo said. “They have smooth cuts and both can catch the ball out of the backfield.”
Receivers
Huddleston, Beau Ramos, Kalei Tolentino-Perry, and Nainoa Kawailima will rotate at the two slotback or H-back spots. Tolentino-Perry, a Vik soccer player, will also be the kicker.
Ka‘ono Boteilho, Josiah Factora (baseball’s pitcher/shortstop), Keaho Kaawa and Lukas Kuipers will spend time at wideout.
“We’re trying to develop them to stretch the field,” Drummondo said. “Our H-backs are small, shifty guys.”
Offensive line
Chandler Kelii will start at center, Fukushima at left tackle, Pakele at left guard, Kekoa Kapahu at right guard, and Cody Raymond at right tackle.
One overlooked aspect of Hilo’s offense is the snap from center. Kelii often goes unnoticed because he’s making accurate snaps to his QB four or seven yards away.
Of course, the Vikings always have the option of running the spread under center, like Waiakea, should the Big Island’s motto of “It always rains in Hilo,” ring true on game night.
When the junior center delivers the ball, he’ll get a chance to block for his sister, a senior running back. It’ll be a Kelii sibling moment when the younger opens a hole for the elder.
Drummondo highlights the initiative of his line, all mobile and aggressive.
“They get after it. That’s what I like about that group,” he said. “Cody, Seth and Chandler got a lot of reps last year. They’re more comfortable and confident, and they enjoy run blocking.”
Defense
Linemen
Pakele, Tracen Calicdan, Malu Lapilio and Tausala Pola will anchor the defense. All drew major minutes last year. The first two are tackles, the latter two are ends.
“They get after it and are relentless to the ball,” Drummondo said. “They’re good pass rushers and disciplined playing against the run.”
Linebackers
Kaniaupio will start at one end, Taulelei Toledo in the middle and Auwae, who’ll also punt, and Wela Mamone will split reps at the other end.
“The first thing I like about Rylen is his attitude. He’s a great kid,” Drummondo said. “He’s got good football instincts and helps get us into our coverages, him and free safety Dallas Mata.
“Our linebackers have the ability to play with their eyes, read their keys (whether the O-line run blocks or pass blocks). I think 75 percent of playing defense is being in the right alignment. If you’re in the right position, you give yourself a chance to make a play.”
Secondary
Mata will start at strong safety, Ka’aina Lewis at free safety, and Kawailima and Josh Whisler at the corners.
The Viks are really green in the last line of defense, and Drummondo points to the group’s enthusiasm in shortening the learning curve.
“They’re a work in progress,” he said. “They’re working and willing to learn. We want them to understand that every practice is a progression.”
Outlook
Drummondo has been the defensive coordinator for three years, including Hilo’s two-year BIIF title run. He’s going to keep the role, which means he’ll be a non-stop busy bee.
That’s fine with the Kamehameha-Kapalama graduate because if there’s one thing he enjoys it’s practice. He and former NBA star Allen Iverson would not see eye to eye.
“We’re trying to teach the kids to not be focused on results, but focus on the process,” he said. “We want to get them to understand that the games on Friday and Saturday are not won that day, but from Monday through Thursday at practice.”
Hilo has lost a ton of talent. Iverson wouldn’t understand, but the only place to polish a piece of coal, and turn it into a talented diamond is at practice.