Evan Manoha carried the football like an inspired man that September night, and he was.
The senior’s numbers were unforgettable – 302 yards and five touchdowns, including a last-second go-ahead score – but his lasting memory from the game, and the entire season, was something far different.
“That was our first game without our friend,” Manoha said.
Kobie Bivings, 16, died of cancer in early September at Hilo Medical Center. Biving had been playing with many of the Trojans since their Pop Warner days.
“They were all playing for him and they came out unreal,” Ka’u coach Duwayne Ke said.
Especially Manoha, who ran like a sledgehammer Sept. 10, going around and through Pahoa’s defense.
“Wow,” Ke said. “When I saw his yardage, all I could say was “what?”
Manoha honored his fallen friend with that virtuoso performance, and he also would go on to remember Bivings in winning BIIF eight-man offensive player of the year, adding to his collection of awards.
Manoha was the eight-man defensive player of the year as a junior, and the running back/linebacker was voted all-BIIF in 2015 on both sides of the ball by the league’s coaches.
“I was actually surprised because this was my first year playing offense,” Manoha said. “I like playing defense more, but I guess I’m better at offense.”
He may prefer dishing out hits instead of taking them, but on offense he simply took to punishing would-be tacklers.
Much to Ke’s chagrin, Manoha didn’t come out for football until his junior season after being prompted by friends. His favorite sport is rodeo, which he took up in the fifth grade, and he plans to continue as a cowboy in college on the mainland.
“If he would have played football since the ninth grade, he would have made a big difference,” Ke said. “He’s a guy where if you ask him to do something, he goes and does it.”
Take his senior season. When asked, Manoha stepped up as the Trojans’ prime offensive threat and backup quarterback.
“When we have him on defense, every team tries to run away from him,” Ke said. “On offense, every team keys in on him.”
League champion Kohala’s had three players make all-league offense in quarterback/kick returner Kainalu Emeliano-Solomon, wide receiver Styles Alvarez and lineman Steven Medeiros. Also honored were four players from Pahoa: running back Dyson Gacutan, wide receiver Joaquin Ridgeway, lineman Simmy Billy Oh and kicker Lava Benn. Trojans’ lineman Kale Kuhiiki also was selected.
Manoha clearly likes to try new things. He’s playing basketball in the winter and plans to join the volleyball team in the spring. His next big rodeo competition is the Panaewa Stampede Rodeo in February.
“I have to thank (coach) Daryl Shibuya for always pushing me for to do my best,” Manoha said. “And my teammates for helping me. I couldn’t have done it without them.”