KAILUA-KONA — Kealakehe did not return to the top of the BIIF mountaintop in 2015, falling to Hilo in the championship game for the third year in a row. But the silver lining for the Waveriders comes in the form of a sweep of the BIIF’s top awards and a league-high 14 spots on the first team — a rare feat for a runner-up squad.
Senior slot/running back Riggs Kurashige captured the BIIF Offensive Player of the Year and swarming Waverider junior linebacker Randy Hatori was the Defensive Player of the Year. Waverider skipper Sam Kekuaokalani earned Coach of the Year honors.
“It was surprising to see, but as I reflect and look back, we did have a good season,” said Kekuaokalani, who led his team to the regular season title and the top seed in the BIIF playoffs. “I’m very appreciative of the votes by the other coaches.”
Waveriders and Vikings dominated the picks. Hilo, the three-time defending BIIF champion, had 12 first teamers.
Run, Riggs, run
There was a rarely a time where the opposing team didn’t know where Kurashige was on the field. The senior, with three years of starting experience, was easily Kealakehe’s most dangerous weapon on offense, capable of breaking a big play if a defender was even a step behind.
Equally talented as a runner and pass catcher, versatility was a staple of Kurashige’s game during his time at Kealakehe. Never a physically imposing runner — like his backfield counterpart and BIIF honorable mention Kobe Antolin — Kurashige made a living being hard to take down in the open field and made the big plays when it mattered most.
Despite being hampered by injuries and missing multiple games, in his final season wearing Waverider blue, Kurashige managed to rack up 493 rushing yards and 573 receiving yards. He also found the end zone nine times.
“I hated missing those games, but it is what it is,” Kurashige said. “I made the most of what I had and played every game like it was my last.”
The Waverider offense struggled for most of the year, but when Kurashige got his touches — whether it was from the slot or the backfield — it brought stability and explosiveness to the unit.
“Riggs was such an impactful player for us. When he was in it showed, and when he wasn’t there it was obvious,” Kekuaokalani said. “He is a guy that always had to be accounted for. He went above and beyond with his play.”
Hitman Hatori
Distributed around the Kealakehe defense were a half-dozen solid candidates for defensive player of the year. The well-balanced unit led the way in the Waverider’s wins, with timely turnovers and big stands.
But it was the junior Hatori who impressed the league’s coaches the most. The first year starter racked up 78 tackles, nine sacks and a defensive score.
“It’s an amazing honor to have my junior year,” Hatori said. “Our defensive linemen really helped me up front, opening up holes, and the defensive backs did a great job in coverage.”
Hatori had the best closing speed in the BIIF and very rarely did a runner escape his grasp. He will be one of the few retuning starters to a Kealakehe team next year that loses a slew of seniors.
“We are lucky to be bringing back Randy next year,” Kekuaokalani said. “I think he will be motivated and confident heading into next season.”
Best of the rest
Behind Kurashige, Hilo junior quarterback Kaale Tiogangco probably had the best claim to the top offensive honor. His 28 total touchdowns earned him a first team selection at quarterback.
Tiogangco’s top pass catchers Kalei Tolentino-Perry and Keaho Kaawa-Wilson earned first-team honors at wide receiver, and Viking running back Isaac Lerma was also a first teamer.
Kealakehe’s Akoni Demello, who played most of his snaps out of the backfield, made it as a first-team receiver, along with teammate Anthony Trevino — the lone sophomore on the first team.
On the offensive line, it was Hilo’s Seth Fukushima and Cody Raymond, Kealakehe’s Josiah Kia and David Tuamoheloa and Mafu Tei of Waiakea who made the cut.
Kealakehe earned the majority of the defensive line spots, with seniors Joseph Kaopua, Howard Cosare and Isaac Kioa. Vikings David Pakele and Malu Lapiliio also landed on the first team.
Joining Hatori as first team linebackers were Noah Matsuura (Waiakea), Rylen Kaniaupio (Hilo), and Pulama Louis (Kealakehe).
Defensive backs Dallas Mata (Hilo), Kaaina Lewis (Hilo), Sequioa Iona (Kealakehe) and Klein Hao (Kealakehe) round out the first team defense.
Lewis also earned top punter honors, and Kealakehe kicker Kolby Martin booted his was onto the first team.
