By KEVIN JAKAHI
By KEVIN JAKAHI
Tribune-Herald sports writer
Hilo seniors Tshaquille Pe‘a and Kamu Patnaude will be playing pretty much every down, pulling more than their weight and hoping their hard work leads to multiple rewards — for a team that went winless in the Big Island Interscholastic Federation last season.
“I believe we’ll do great,” said Pe‘a, an All-BIIF first team linebacker. “There are bigger, faster and better teams out there. But we love the challenge and hopefully we can make it to the BIIF championships.”
Pe‘a and secondary ace Patnaude will be clocking long hours on the gridiron for the Vikings, who finished 0-7 last year. The school’s last BIIF title came in 2003.
“They’ll be in all three phases of the game, offense, defense, and special teams,” first-year Hilo coach Dave Baldwin said. “We’re young and lack experience. We’re coming off a very forgettable season. Our program’s three goals are first to build character, second to win and third to have fun.”
The 6-foot, 215-pound Pe‘a will start at linebacker, and spend time at tight end, running back and specials teams — kickoffs and punts.
Depending on matchups, Patnaude (5-10, 170) could start at strong safety for run support, at free safety to provide deep coverage or either corner to shut down a top wideout threat. He’ll also play receiver and special teams.
Patnaude is no stranger to logging long hours. During the summer, he spent time practicing with both the football and basketball teams. He was part of the basketball squad that reached the Hawaii High School Athletic Association state tournament.
“It was a really hectic time. It was every day,” he said of his summer schedule. “I’d lift and practice for football, and go to basketball practice. Coach (Hilo basketball assistant Bruce Lee) wanted us all together to be ready for the season and states. We’ve been practicing after our last game at states (in February).”
Patnaude, who was a backup guard, is also part of the football team’s Early Bird Lifting Club, getting to school before the roosters awake, and hitting the weights from 5:30 a.m. to 7 a.m. The club membership includes about 30 players (not everyone has an early ride to school); Hilo has a roster of 40-something strong.
His first love has always been football, playing it as a youngster with a ton of his Viking teammates Playing football is something of a tradition for Patnaude, who’s also working diligently on his 2.5 grade-point average.
“I looked up to older guys who played at Hilo High,” he said. “It was my dream to play at Hilo High and I got that dream when I started in my 10th grade year.
“I enjoy spending time with my teammates, getting better every day, helping my teammates so they get better.”
He and a half-dozen teammates, including Pe‘a, spent three days in June attending the All-Poly camp on Oahu, where college coaches from all levels of competition (Division I, II, III, NAIA and junior colleges) scouted.
Neither he nor Pe‘a (the T in his first name is silent) have any offers on the table. But if either needs any inspiration, Pe‘a’s older brother, Kainoa, a 2006 graduate, is a good example. He walked on at Northern Arizona, worked hard, and before his junior year was awarded a scholarship.
“The advice my brother gave me was just how to be of good character, be humble, play hard, play with urgency, desire and passion,” said Pe‘a, who attends Ke Kula o Nawahiokalaniopuu, a Hawaiian language immersion school with grades K-12 in Keaau, like his older brother.
“I like filling up holes and I like to hit the fullback when he comes to block me. And I like to sacrifice for my teammates, so they can make plays, too. One of my biggest goals is to get a full-ride to any college and I just want to play college football.”
Last season over 45 BIIF athletes received scholarships, including a dozen for football. Most of the scholarship offers were late arrivals just before the national letter of intent signing day in February.
“That motivates me a lot,” Pe‘a said. “And it shows an example that it can happen. That’s one of my biggest dreams. It would be one of the best things for me.”
His brother was an undersized defensive tackle at 6 feet and 250 pounds. Pe‘a fits the same category at linebacker. But Baldwin pointed out that college coaches shop for other ingredients besides size and speed.
“The first question college coaches ask is, ‘Are they character kids?’ For both of them the answer is ‘Yes.’ Kamu is really respectful and a good kid,” Baldwin said. “He’s highly competitive on the field.
“What stands out about Shaq first and foremost is his character. He volunteers with the Special Olympics. He’s an excellent leader, runs the field well, and loves to hit. He leads by example. We need him to be more vocal, but his humility gets in the way.
“If you recruit kids like them not only do they improve your program for four years with their character and tenacious work ethic, but they also make their teammates better and your school and the greater community, too.”
The young Vikings are counting on the same thing.