2016 Hawaii Preseason Football Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

Video: Kesi Ah-hoy's highlights vs. Saint Louis
See the Kahuku star in action last season


1. Kahuku
Coach: Vavae Tata
2015 finish: 14-0
Team preview

Kahuku kicks off the season as the reigning HHSAA Division I state champion and is tabbed as the nation's No. 39 team in the Preseason Early Contenders. The Red Raiders return a star-studded cast and seem poised to capture their ninth state title since 2000.

Kahuku has no shortage of offense and expects a heavy dose of the ground game. Three-star running back Kesi Ah-hoy will look to wear down defenses and spearhead the charge. He totaled 1,597 total yards and 22 touchdowns last season. Look for fellow back Harmon Brown to do some damage after posting 785 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior. Tight end Pua Falemalu will be a dependable target and red zone threat, as proven by his all-state first team selection. Freshman quarterback Sol-Jay Maiava already holds an offer from Michigan and could become a household name. The Red Raiders also pack a punch on defense. The terrific tandem of three-star cornerback Kekaula Kaniho and all-state first team safety Stokes Botelho might give Kahuku the best secondary in the state.

Sept. 17 marks a big-time test for Kahuku, a battle with No. 3 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas).

See last season's Hawaii computer rankings presented by the Army National Guard

2. St. Louis (Honolulu)
Coach: Cal Lee
2015 finish: 9-2
Team preview

St. Louis ended last season with a crushing defeat in the state final to Kahuku. But the Crusaders have the nation's top dual-threat in Tua Tagovailoa and he's hungry for revenge.
 
The Crusaders' state title hopes are in good hands with Tagovailoa at the controls. He racked up 2,932 passing yards, 481 rushing yards and 35 total touchdowns last year. Tagovailoa also claimed the Elite 11 and The Opening MVP honors this offseason and is on another level right now. Ronson Young should be the go-to target after notching 519 receiving yards and five touchdowns last season. Look for punishing four-star linebacker Isaac Slade-Matautia to lead the defense.

St. Louis starts the season with a huge showdown against Mililani, a rematch of last year's state semifinal.

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3. Mililani
Coach: Rod York
2015 finish: 10-3
Team preview

The Trojans come into the season with a bitter taste in their mouths after falling in the state semifinals to St. Louis. Coach Rod York will be tasked with replacing key skill players on both sides of the ball. But Mililani has proven to be a consistent winning program and seeks its second state title in three years.

Tielu Mamea will head the defense and the second-team all state selection is a hard-hitting force. Dillon Gabriel will take the reins at quarterback and is primed for a big year. Look for two-way stud Jalen Olomua to bring the pain at linebacker and see an increased role in the running game.

Mililani begins the season with a long-awaited rematch against St. Louis, with redemption on the mind.

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4. Punahou (Honolulu)
Coach: Kale Ane
2015 finish: 8-2
Team preview

Punahou starts the season with payback in mind after dropping the ILH championship to St. Louis and failing to reach the state tournament in 2015. The Buff n' Blue have a high-powered offense, depth and enough experience  to make a deep postseason push.

Punahou returns a ton of offensive weaponry and fans should expect an air raid attack. Pro-style quarterback Nicholas Kapule is a smooth operator and recorded 1,507 passing yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior. He'll have a slew of proven receivers to throw to. Ethan Takeyama figures to be the Buff n' Blue's primary target after registering 732 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns last season. The ultra explosive threat was also named an all-state second team recipient as a junior. Look for receivers Eamon Brady, Judd Cockett and Andrew Ke'alamaikalani Martinson to add support after combining for 1,469 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns last year.

Sept. 9 is the date Punahou meets divisional foe St. Louis, the team that ended its season in 2015.

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5. Radford (Honolulu)
Coach: Fred Salanoa
2015 finish: 13-0
Team preview

The Rams capped off last year's undefeated season with their first HHSAA Division II state title in school history. Radford enters this season needing to reload after being gutted by graduation, but expectations are still high.

The Rams return a stout defense that limited opponents to just nine points per game last season. Dual-threat quarterback Jonah Soakai should command the herd offensively.

Sept. 9 marks a huge test for the Rams, a tussle with defending Division I state champion Kahuku.