2017 Early Contenders high school football preview: No. 25 Kahuku

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Video: 2017 Early Contenders - No. 25 Kahuku
See highlights of the big names coming back to help the Red Raiders fight for a title this season.

Head coach: Makoa Freitas

2016 record: 11-2, lost in inaugural Open Division state to championship to St. Louis, 30-14

Last decade: 95-21, three state titles

Famous alums/athletes: Singer/songerwriter Jack Johnson, two-time Super Bowl champion Chris Kemoeatu, Saints LB and former University of Washington All-American Hau'oli Kikaha
PLAYERS TO WATCH

QB Sol-Jay Maiava (6-1, 170, Soph.) — Next big QB prospect out of Hawaii has offers from Fresno State, Michigan and Utah.

OT Izaya Vimahi (6-5, 270, Jr.) — Ranked as the No. 4 tackle in the country for Class of 2019 by 247Sports.

DE Samson Reed (6-3, 250, Sr.) — The state's No. 4 recruit has already committed to Virginia.

LB Miki Ah You (6-1, 190, Jr.) — Already has offers from Oregon and BYU.

CB Kaonohi Kaniho (5-9, 150, Sr.) — Don't be fooled by his lack of size. He's growing fast and ultra talented.
KEY GAMES

Aug. 11 — vs. Leilehua (Wahiawa, Hawaii)

Aug. 18 — at Wai'anae (Hawaii)

Sept. 9 — vs. Bingham (South Jordan, Utah) at UNLV in inaugural Polynesian Bowl

STORYLINES

* Freitas, a former NFL player, played for Tony Dungy and Dick Tomey but has never been a head coach. He takes over for Vavae Tata, who wasn't rehired after two seasons in which he won a state title and was finalist. Freitas, firm but laid back, will retain almost all of Tata's staff. "I'm honored they hired me," he told MaxPreps in May. "There's a lot here already so I just want to add on."

* All eyes will be on Maiava, who is being compared (fairly or not) to recent Hawaii quarterback phenoms Marcus Mariota and Tua Tagovailoa.

* If the Red Raiders find themselves in a tight spot, they also boast one of the nation's top kickers in BYU commit Sekope Latu, quite a specimen at 6-3, 230.

* Don't be surprised if Kahuku piles up more than 50 sacks with the likes of Reed and other top defensive linemen Sedric Iafeta (6-3, 230) and Junior Tuia (6-2, 270), both among the state's top recruits.

* Vimahi leads a big, physical offensive line. Establishing a featured running back will be among the top priorities for Freitas.