"Kerati Kid" leads Balboa into 87th Turkey Day Game

SAN FRANCISCO - When Kerati Apilakvannichaki tells people he plays football, he waits for the inevitable - raised eyebrows, hard blinks, awkward silences. 

If they ask him what position he plays, he considers just walking away.

At a listed 5-foot-5 and 165 pounds - "I'm 5-4 and 155 on a good day," he admits - Apilakvannichaki is no average or prototype quarterback.

Yet Balboa (San Francisco) High School's long odds of winning Thursday's 87th Turkey Day Game hinge largely on the extremely small frame of this over-achieving senior with an extremely elongated last name.

"People don't believe me when I tell them I'm a quarterback," he said. "And that includes some of my family."

Tagged the "Kerati Kid" by teammates, Apilakvannichaki may be short in height he is huge in numbers and intangibles.

He leads a 5-7 team into Thursday's San Francisco Section title game against Washington-San Francisco (9-2) at Kezar Stadium. Balboa is after its first city championship since 1984.

"He plays at a level far higher than even a six-footer," Balboa second-year coach Alvaro Carvajal said. "It's a tribute to his heart and competitive nature. It's a matter of heart with all of our guys. That's why we're here."

Don't get the notion Apilakvannichaki is just some rah-rah, hand-the-ball-off and exalt leader. He contributes in every facet of the team's spread, quick-strike attack.

Utilizing his quick feet – he's a sprinter on Balboa's track team – and strong arm, he's thrown 274 passes for 2,160 yards and 27 touchdowns, all among the top three among Bay Area leaders who supply numbers to MaxPreps.com. 

"He makes them go," said Washington coach Karl Finley, whose team beat Balboa 24-20 on Oct. 30. "He's very, very dangerous and if we can't contain him in the pocket it could be a very long day."

Said Balboa tailback Greg Warren one of the region's top 10 rushers with 1,499 yards and 22 touchdowns: "Kerati obviously has a lot of pride. He never gives up or gives in. He's definitely inspiring."

RIGHT COMBINATION
But his lack of height does present challenges.

Seeing receivers and zipping passes over taller hands has led to 49 percent complete rate and his 19 interceptions lead the region.

Apilakvannichaki's height is limiting. Seeing open receivers and zipping passes over taller hands is challenging and has led to numerous tipped passes, incompletions and interceptions.

"Sometimes Kerati is so ambitious he tries to do too much," Carvajal said. "But he finds a way to always make up for it and lately he's found just the right combination."

He's been more effective as the season's progressed relying on Warren – perhaps the league's fastest player (11.01 100 meters) - and arguably the league's top all-around talent, 5-11, 220-pound linebacker, tight end and wing back Christian Pulusian.

Pulusian is the antithesis of Apilakvannichaki, a physical specimen and a Division I prospect in fact.

A menace on defense and all-around threat on offense, Pulusian has used his sprinter speed to lead the team with 37 catches (590 yards, nine TDs) and is second in tackles (133) behind linebacker Sean Kately (145).

With long flowing locks out of the back of his helmet and a relentless style, he's a high school version of Steelers' strong safety Troy Polamalu.

In fact, Pulusian looks like that may a position he'll play in college.

"(Pulusian) is a beast," Caravajal said. "In my opinion, he's the best player in the (Academic Athletic Association)."

Said Finley: "Besides being so talented, he's got a motor that never stops. He's a hard-nosed kid."

So is Warren, who is also a starting cornerback.

Blessed with a quick first step, Warren gets up to speed rapidly as he did while scoring on runs of 24 yards and 75 yards in a 28-8 semifinal win over Mission. He also made a superb interception during the game.

"The kid has a great attitude and is an explosive offensive threat," Caravajal said.

FLYING AROUND
Washington is the one team in San Francisco that can keep up with Warren.

They have several speedy defensive backs and athletes and probably possess more depth and overall team speed than Balboa.

Running back Jeremey Jetton has rushed for more than 1,000 yards and is a tremendous kick and punt returner.

"He's definitely a threat every time he touches the ball," Finley said of Jetton. "And he wants the ball all the time."

But Finley spreads it around with another breakaway back in Galen Hall.

Junior quarterback Aram Gevandian (6-1, 180) has been extremely effective, thanks largely to some talented receivers and a strong offensive line, led by Anson Liang and Kevin Liu.

Linebacker Levander Moore leads an active defense that includes speedy Calvin Lee, just back from a shoulder injury. Lee is probably the fastest player on Washington's fleet squad.

"The key for us will be special teams, running the ball and keeping up with their tempo," Finley said. "They really fly around. They are very well coached."

Finley has been successful where-ever he has coached.

He's coached at the prep level at San Rafael and Tamalpais and collegiately at Cabrillo and College of Marin.

This is his fourth season at Washington and third Turkey Day appearance, losing the first two to Lincoln.

"Hopefully it's our year this year," Finley said. "I'm really pleased and proud how our guys play as a team and worked hard during the off-season in the weight room. They deserve to be here."

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