KEALAKEKUA — Konawaena head coach Brad Uemoto will never complain about the lofty expectations surrounding his Wildcat program every time a new season rolls around.
It’s just the reality of leading a team that has won six of the last seven BIIF Division II titles — including three straight — and are just an offseason removed from the most memorable runner-up finish in state championship history.
While the culture of success has grown in Kealakekua, Uemoto has stressed to the new “Zoo Crew” crop that every year is a clean slate.
“We understand what we did in the past and we are building on that success. But it will never put points on the board for us this season,” Uemoto said. “I always assume that all the teams around the league have improved. So every year we need to work harder to get where we want to go. Keeping these kids from becoming complacent is the No. 1 thing for us as a staff. We just try to promote new challenges.”
For the Wildcat players, there’s a certain amount of pride behind maintaining the winning tradition.
“We just try to hold ourselves to that high standard that has been set,” returning all-BIIF defensive back Boaz Ayers said.
There’s no skirting around the fact that the Wildcats had a rough go in two tough preseason games against Kahuku and Kapaa. Konawaena was outscored 98-9 in the contests and came away with more questions than answers.
Some Wildcat followers will draw parallels to last season, when the squad went 0-2 early before reeling off nine straight wins, falling to Lahainaluna in a 75-69, seven-overtime epic at Aloha Stadium. But Uemoto maintains — this time around is different.
“History doesn’t repeat itself just because,” Uemoto said. “Last year’s team came back to work on Monday after those two losses and started grinding. They showed us something special on that run. I still expect that from this group but I’ve told them it’s going to be hard and it’s going to be a grind. Now the clock is ticking.”
The most noticeable new look for Konawaena will be at quarterback, where freshman Sheynen Nahale has assumed the starting role in place of three-time BIIF offensive player of the year Austin Ewing, who is now at Southern Utah University.
Nahale suffered a shoulder injury in the second half against Kapaa, but it’s unclear if he will miss any significant time.
“We knew Sheynen was coming up, and with his dad (Wyatt) being involved in the JV program, he’s had his hands in our playbook. It was a smooth transition when he came in during the summer,” Uemoto said. “Now we have to start figuring out the whys — why we do certain things we do within the offensive.”
Uemoto says Nahale has some similar qualities to his former signal caller, Ewing.
“One of the things he has similar to Austin is that he doesn’t like to lose or fail,” Uemoto said. “They are both great competitors and come to the practice field prepared to put in work.”
Senior Avery Blanco (5-foot-10, 215) will be in charge of the offensive line at center. He was an all-BIIF pick a year ago and has impressed his head coach with his leadership qualities.
“He’s the captain on that line,” Uemoto said. “One thing I loved seeing was during the Kahuku game he was next to Sheynen all game on the sideline, encouraging him. To see a senior guiding a freshman quarterback through that process was great.”
Also featured on the offensive line will be returning two-way standout Tevin Canda (5-6, 225) and left tackle Christopher “Red Dog” Clifford (6-0, 180).
“(Clifford) can anchor a tackle spot,” Uemoto said. “We’re happy about that. He’s aggressive, tough and goes 110 percent every play.”
Returning pass-catchers Hunter Wehrsig and Kealakai Kihe will be the primary targets in the passing game — Wehrsig playing mostly out wide and Kihe out of the slot. Early on, Jesse Canda and Marc Basa have also emerged as reliable receivers.
Speedsters Cyrus Jumalon and Orion Smith will receive the bulk of carries at running back, with Sole Kelekolio (5-8, 220) functioning as the power back.
While there will be some new faces in key places, the fast-paced, high-flying offense Konawaena has become known for will continue to be a staple.
“It will be exactly the same,” Uemoto said. “You are not going to see anything diverting too much from what we have done the last few years.”
Kalae Lee has returned as the full-time defensive coordinator for the Wildcats and will have some returning talent to work with.
Canda and Hailama Anakalea (5-10, 270) are big bodies on the line, and Lahainaluna transfer AJ Alani will also see some time in the trenches.
“That will be a name you hear this year,” Uemoto said of Alani.
Alex Muti is the most interesting defensive prospect for the Wildcats, functioning as a hybrid linebacker/defensive lineman. As an all-BIIF sophomore end, he wreaked havoc on backfields with his ability to get up field in a hurry, but will have more on his plate this season.
“We’ll move him around — stand up, hand in the ground, possibly at end,” Uemoto said. “It changes with the game plan.”
Jumalon and Samson Iona are among those who will join Muti in the linebacking corps.
Ayers mans a safety spot and is a returning all-BIIF selection. He will work with corners Kalai Santiago and Kahai Navas-Loa to slow down the opposition’s passing game.
“This defense plays fast,” Ayers said. “I think that will be our strength.”
And you can’t talk about the Wildcats without talking about fan favorite, kicker/punter extraordinaire Harry Hill. When Hill lines up for kickoffs at Julian Yates Field, he gets his name chanted before he usually boots the ball for a touchback. Last year, he kicked a 58-yard field goal against Waiakea, carving out his spot as the premier specialist in the BIIF.
Konawaena opens its season against west side rival Kealakehe on Aug. 24.