Defending champ Kahuku will have to fend off a tough Punahou squad looking to regain the title of Hawaii's best.
MaxPreps 2013 Hawaii Preseason Fab 5 presented by Army National Guard
Kahuku hopes to win a third straight state title in 2013, but a stout Punahou squad stands in the way.
Photo by Darryl Oumi
8-3
Head Coach: Kale Ane
Team previewPunahou comes into this season seeking revenge and then some. Coach Ane and his team suffered a tough loss in the state championship to Kahuku for the second year in a row. The defense for the Buff n' Blue will need to find a way to replace star linebacker Isaac Savaiinaea who is now at UCLA — a difficult task. They certainly have the right guy to do it in rising star
Canton Kaumatule, who is the
top ranked player in the class of 2015 according to 247Sports. Building off a standout sophomore season, Kaumatule will put his hand in the dirt for Coach Ane, and be a nightmare for quarterbacks across the state. The offense loses experience in the backfield, which may turn out to be the biggest question mark for the Buff n' Blue. They return quarterback
Larry Tuileta, who had a very nice junior season, and his favorite target in
Kanawai Noa, who played very well as a sophomore. If these two can build on the success they had last season, they could be a lethal combo. Between
Semisi Uluave and
Davis Miyashiro-Saipa'ia, the offensive line should give Tuileta all the protection he needs.
Ronley Lakalaka and
Dakota Torres will give Kaumatule a nice compliment on the defensive side. Coach Ane's team will be young, but loaded with talent. The ceiling is high for this team, and they have all the means to reclaim the top spot in the state.
See the Top 15 Hawaii football dynasties2. Kahuku2012 Finish: 12-0
Head Coach: Reggie Torres
Team preview
Coach Torres has one thing on his mind: Three-peat. The Red Raiders have relied on the talents of Aofaga Wily, Kawehena Johnson, and Viliami Livai the past few seasons, but they all leave to graduation. Those are big shoes to fill, but Torres always seems to have guys waiting in the wings. It will be
Tuli Matagi-Wily taking over behind center and a combination of junior
Soli Afalava and senior
Polikapu Liua in the backfield.
Salanoa Wily, who is the younger brother of Aofaga, will likely see some snaps from the backfield as well as on the defensive side. With former NFL quarterback Colt Brennan mentoring Matagi-Wily, we could see a breakout junior campaign from him. On the defensive side of the ball, it will be
Lamone Willams stepping into the leadership role and anchoring the defensive line. His athleticism will let him line up on the edge and inside as well as contributing at tight end.
Clifford Ramseyer is the lone returning linebacker. He will lead the linebacking core and provide experience. Torres loses a lot of experience on both sides of the ball, and that may be the biggest question mark for the Red Raiders this season, but it is no mystery that he knows how to get the best out of his players. If the newcomers play to their ability, the Red Raiders will be battling for another state title.
See our Hawaii football professional photo galleries3. St. Louis (Honolulu)2012 Finish: 5-5
Head Coach: Matt Wright
Team previewThe Crusaders are coming off a disappointing 5-5 season. They missed the playoffs for the second straight year and for the first time under new head coach Matt Wright. Entering his second season, Wright will look to bounce back and prove they are one of Hawaii's top teams, and he has the means to do so.
Ryder Kuhns will be the operator behind center, after splitting time with senior Kawai Mook-Garcia last season. Kuhns is coming off an impressive sophomore season and seems poised to solidify himself as one of the better quarterbacks in the state. Alongside him will be
Adam Noga who has been a work house for the Crusaders. Look for him to have his best season yet as he enters his senior year.
Devan Stubblefield also returns, and will give Kuhns a go-to option on the outside. Between
Louis Vailopa and
Fred Ulu-Perry, the offensive line should be a strong point. It will be up to seniors
Jacob Lacaden and
Jaisen Sanchez to hold down the defense and provide leadership on that side of the ball. Wright's team may not posses a star-studded lineup, but they have the talent to surprise some teams and find themselves in the hunt for a state title.
See last season's Hawaii football playoff brackets4. Kapolei2012 Finish: 6-4
Head Coach: Darren Hernandez
Team previewThe Hurricanes haven't made the playoffs in some time and this could be the season to break that routine. Defense will likely be the strong point for Hernandez.
Kingston Fernandez and
Kalani Vakameilalo will be a huge presence in the trenches with
Micah Paris anchoring the linebacking unit. The secondary may be the largest concern, but do-it-all athlete
Alton Julius should be able to help out there. Offensively,
Aizon Kahana should have his best season yet as the signal-caller. He will have nice options in Julius, who can lineup pretty much anywhere on the offensive side of the ball, and running backs
Tristan Pebria and
Mana Reis.
Micah Kapoi and
William Auwae should give Kahana the protection he needs while also opening up holes for Reis and Pebria. If Kahana can step up and command the offense, the Crusaders could make some noise.
See last season's final Hawaii football rankings, presented by the Army National Guard5. Farrington (Honolulu)2012 Finish: 10-3
Head Coach: Randall Okimoto
Team previewIt will be defense that leads the way once again for Okimoto. With rising star
Breiden Fehoko, the youngest of the Fehoko clan and arguably the most talented, the trenches for the Governors should be a strong point.
Manly Williams returns and will anchor the linebacking unit. Joining him in the middle of the field will be
Sanele Lavatai and
Syndreck Dsio. Coach Okimoto loses weapons and experience on offense, which could make or break the season for the Governors. That being said,
Montana Liana returns under center coming off a nice sophomore season. He should be ready to take charge of the offense and offer some leadership there. Losing top rusher Abraham Silva will not be easy to replace. It will likely be a combination of
Manu Masalosalo and
T.J. Utai in the backfield giving Liana some options. The offense also loses their top three receiving targets, but
Jacob McEnroe should step in and provide an option out wide. Farrington plays in Hawaii's top division which is loaded with talent, so competition will be tough. But if the newcomers can find a way to make a big impact early on, Coach Okimoto and his team have the means to play spoiler.
See last season's Hawaii All-League football team
