HONOKAA — Practice with a soundtrack has become the new norm at Honokaa, and one that has slowly grown on head coach Noeau Lindsey.
As players slam into bags and run through plays, the mood is relaxed but efficient. The instruction is productive with a strong sense of camaraderie. In between the grind, there might even be a smile or two.
“Back when I played, if the coaches ever caught you bobbing your head, you were doing a 100-yard sprint,” Lindsey said with a laugh. “But if it helps them practice harder and enjoy the process, I’m all for it.”
Entering his third year with the Honokaa program, Lindsey has been through ups and downs with the Dragons, but that is the life of a coach trying to build a winning culture while dealing with the turnover of high school football.
“I think program-wise we are right where I envisioned for Year 3,” he said. “Last year we didn’t have any suspensions, the kids stayed off academic probation and we are not getting calls from teachers about players acting up in school. If we are producing good young men — people who will be good community members — that means we are doing our job as a program.”
The Dragons are coming off a 2-5 season in the BIIF, but as Lindsey points out, it was not as lopsided as the record might indicate.
“In a lot of our games last year there were a few plays that took us out of the game and then things got out of hand,” Lindsey said. “Physically I feel we can always stack up. What we have to work on is our mentality.”
A large part the change has been bringing a focus to playing with P.R.I.D.E. — the school’s acronym for perseverance, respect, integrity, determination and enthusiasm.
“The boys are buying in and have shown the willingness to put in the work to be successful,” Lindsey said. “We tell them they can’t put in 50 percent of the work and expect 100 percent of the profits.”
The lesson has hit home with his players.
“We are all on the same page,” standout linebacker Cody Loo said. “Last year we were focused on what the powerhouse teams were doing instead of focusing on what we were doing. We ended up not being prepared when it came to game time.”
Heading into a new year with a senior-heavy roster, Lindsey is optimistic, but understands his Dragons have a way to go to prove their place among the BIIF’s elite.
“Division II is tough, but the whole BIIF is, too. When the schedule comes out I think every coach thinks they have the hardest route,” Lindsey said. “There’s a gauntlet of teams to run through on this island, but every team has to go through the same thing.”
Eliminating mental mistakes is a big part of Lindsey’s approach. There have been times in the past where the Dragons played with a little bit too much fire, more often than not resulting in a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Lindsey is no nonsense when it comes to that. Every player is held to the same standard of conduct, no matter how important they are to the game plan.
“Any kind of play like that will earn them a spot on the bench. I let them know early, we aren’t about that,” Lindsey said. “In the past it was let go, but I don’t stand for it. If they lose their cool, they lose their spot in the game.”
Offensively, the run-first game plan for Honokaa — which will be orchestrated by first-year offensive coordinator Pono Kahuanui— starts up front with a powerful offensive line. The unit is led by big senior guards Makaio Liftee (6-foot-1, 294 pounds) and Rico Garcia (5-10, 268).
“We feel confident,” Garcia said. “We are a strong team and more disciplined compared to past years.”
Along side the big guard duo will be some youth, including Elijah Cortez, the lone freshman on the roster who made an appearance in the Dragons’ preseason win over Waimea. He fits right in at 6-2, 254 pounds.
“It’s been a while since Honokaa had an offensive line that can push guys around how this group does, so we want to run behind them,” Lindsey said.
Running back Klayton Gascon has a chance to lead the BIIF in rushing thanks to what will be a heavy workload. Lindsey wants him to touch the ball anywhere between 20-25 times a game and rush for 300 yards as a team.
“We plan to put a heavier load on his shoulders,” Lindsey said. “We are going to run the ball, that’s for sure.”
Another back who has a similar style to Gascon is two-way contributor Kainalu Swift. In the team’s lone preseason game against Waimea (Kauai), Swift and Gascon teamed up for more than 200 yards on the ground.
Getting the nod at QB is first-year starter Maui Kanekoa. He can sling the ball when he needs to and will stay in the pocket a little more than his predecessor, Ocean Guerpo-Beamer, a scrambling specialist.
“He moves well for his size, but it’s going to be a little different,” Lindsey said.
That predictability is a blessing for his linemen.
“He’s not as mobile, but that’s a benefit for us,” Garcia said. “We know where he’s going to be.”
The Dragons completed five passes to five different receivers in their preseason victory. But Lindsey predicts that slot Thomas Au will be one, if not the most active pass-catcher this season.
“Any coach would love to have a kid like him,” Lindsey said. “Great kid, great athlete and works hard. That’s all you can ask for as a coach.”
It will be a 4-3 look for the Dragons defensively, with middle linebacker Cody Loo as the centerpiece. When asked for a word to describe the defense, the senior backer went with “speedy.”
“We’ll be all over the place,” Loo said.
Swift will man a safety spot, across from with his partner Kamuela Boneza. Kalaijah Salazar is also a standout defensive back, and junior Trey Gomes will get the start on the other side. Boneza and Salazar both had interceptions against Waimea.
Some of the big boys from the offensive line could be in the rotation on the defensive line, joining a group in the trenches that includes senior Gjim Gancinia, Andrew Booth, and Keenan Pahio.
“The key for us will be keeping fresh legs,” Lindsey said. “We have put the work in on our defense and have athletes who can make plays and keep us in games.”
Honokaa begins its season on the road at Waiakea on Sept. 7.