PAHALA – Repetition ruled in BIIF eight-man football in 2016.
It wouldn’t be fair to say Ka’u ran the same play over and over, but when push came to shove the Trojans did, reducing the game to its most simplistic and physical elements.
Buddy Flores, Brandon Ecalas – who played quarterback in the first half of the title-clinching win against Kohala – or whoever was lined up behind center, would take the shotgun snap, pick a hole and go full steam ahead.
Ka’u wasn’t trying to fool anyone, playing stop me if you can. More often than not, neither the Cowboys or Pahoa could.
“The way we build our program is when they believe, it’s them that is making the decision, not us,” coach DuWayne Ke said of the Trojans’ smashmouth mentality. “We give them tools as coaches, they go out and they make the calls and we back them up. If we see something is not working, we’ll correct it.”
At least one bad call was made by the Trojans during the second half of that game against Kohala and it involved an errant pass that was intercepted by the Cowboys and returned 80 yards for a touchdown, temporarily putting the Trojans behind.
Reminded of the play Monday in the stands at Pahala Ball Park, Ke, a defensive-minded and run-first coach, put his hands to his head.
“That wasn’t me, that wasn’t me,” he said. “I was like ….”
In other words, why pass if you can run, so expect more of the same run-heavy philosophy this season, at least for the Trojans’ opener Saturday at home against Pahoa.
Flores, the Offensive Player of the Year, graduated, but Ecalas filled in admirably in that win against Kohala, running for 119 yards and two touchdowns in a half, while senior Zackary Kai offers more of a run-pass threat.
“Their job is to read the defense, and that is why they play quarterback,” Ke said.
Winners of two of three BIIF titles since eight-man was introduced, the Trojans’ roster size is down slightly to 23, but Ka’u has the luxury of a hefty offensive line to open holes in the trenches. Each starter weighs north of 200 pounds, including senior Nainoa Ke, who goes about 6 foot, 4 inches and 260. Center Josiah Barrios and guard Kanoa Kailiawa also return.
The defensive line and linebacking units are team strengths as well.
Manu Keliikoa-Kalau was a tackling machine at defensive end last season, and DuWayne Ke also expects big things from Keala Liu, Keliikoa-Kalau’s foster brother, at end.
“You have to see them in action,” Ke said.
Ikaika Salmo-Grace, Janslae Badua and Kahiau Medeiros are the linebackers.
Beyond Flores, the Trojans had handful of seniors they depended on for leadership and to make plays last season, and the group figures to be hard to replace.
“I wish I had that group,” Ke said.
“Everybody is rebuilding their program,” he said. “We have a really young team, and this year it’s anybody’s game. I wish everybody luck. Let the kids play their heart out.”
Ke is also busy trying to make contacts in an effort to get his players opportunities to play in college, and he’s confident at least one Trojan in the class of 2018 will be able to do so.
Flores in a fine example. While he was in high school he planned to join the military, but Flores’ plans changed when he graduated and Ke said he recently left for Peru State, an NAIA school in Nebraska, where he hopes to play football.
“We’re pushing hard to get them out of this town,” Ke said. “Nothing ever changes here.”
The pushing starts in full force on Saturday, and the Trojans will be happy with more of the same on the field.
