KAILUA-KONA – There may be some growing pains on the gridiron at Kealakehe in 2022.
Of course, that’s to be expected with a roster sporting as many underclassmen as the Waveriders have this season. Kealakehe’s level of success will ultimately depend on how quickly a large group of athletic youngsters can get up to speed at the varsity level.
“As young as we are, it’s going to come down to how much we can coach them up and get them ready,” said Wyatt Nahale, who enters his third season as the Waveriders’ head coach. “Athletic-wise, I think we’ll be ok; it’s just a matter of us getting them adapted to our system.”
The good news: there are plenty of reps to go around. The Waveriders plan to use a two-platoon system, with very few players playing on both sides of the ball.
“I want to have a rotation where as much kids play,” added Nahale. “Especially when they’re young, they’re the future for us. I want them to get experience.”
One of the few Kealakehe athletes likely to see action on both offense and defense is Sean Ichishita, a first-team All-BIIF linebacker in 2021. In addition to anchoring the Waveriders’ defense, the senior is also the most experienced receiver on the roster following the departures of fellow All-BIIF honoree Hunter Acia – now at Keaau – and Ayzen and Javiyen Cummings.
While competition for spots alongside Ichishita on the perimeter remains fierce, junior Alika Rigaud and freshman Kekainalu Willis have impressed the coaches early on in practice. In the backfield, sophomore Hercules Nahale appears poised to handle duties as the lead back.
The biggest question mark on offense for the Waveriders: who will be delivering the ball to those playmakers? The starting quarterback job is wide open, with five players competing to earn the starting nod.
“They’re good athletes,” Nahale said of the quintet of signal-callers. “We’re trying to find a way we can incorporate their athleticism into our scheme.”
Up front, Kealakehe will be able to lean on the experience of 2021 All-BIIF first-teamer Kekai Posolda. As is the theme for much of the Waveriders’ lineup this season, the spots alongside Posolda are up for grabs, but at least one underclassman has caught Nahale’s eye in the trenches: La’a Mills.
“Mills has been getting a lot of reps,” said Nahale. “We see potential that he could step into our center position.”
Eagle-eyed fans may recognize that center was one of the few positions that seemed settled for Kealakehe, as 2021 starting center Nehasi Faleofa returns to the team for his junior season. Faleofa, however, will transition to the defensive side of the ball. He and newcomer Kaleo Olloway have made their impact felt early and could make waves as disruptors in Kealakehe’s front seven.
“We’ve had a wonderful surprise in Kaleo,” said Nahale of the incoming sophomore. “He transferred here from Keaau; his family moved into the Hawaiian homestead here.”
The Waveriders will not have the luxury of easing their young athletes into the season. A tough start to their schedule includes a trip to Oahu on August 6 to square off against the Hurricanes of Kapolei, followed by contests against longtime BIIF powerhouse Hilo on August 19 and the reigning BIIF D-I champions Konawaena the following Friday.
“We’re going to be battle-tested early,” said Nahale. “We’ll see what kind of character we have, whether or not we’re going to be able to bounce back and persevere through the season. I think it’s good for us.”
Another question facing Kealekehe is when their stadium will be ready for play, as it is currently off-limits due to the ongoing construction of a new track. Even if the Waveriders ultimately have to play all their games on the road this year, Nahale isn’t worried; this group has already impressed their head coach, both on and off the field, creating confidence that the future is bright for Kealakehe.
“They have great attitudes, they work hard, they’re dedicated,” said Nahale. “They come out here and give us everything they have, everything that we ask for.
“They do good things off the field, and that’s important for our program. That we’re producing life champions and young men that will go and serve our community and become good men in the future. That’s what I see in this group.”