It’s been a rough couple of years for the Keaau football program, but help is on the horizon after the Cougars notched one win over the last two years.
Last season, the Cougars finished 0-8 and fell hard to Hilo 68-7 in the BIIF Division I semifinals.
Keaau suffered from a lack of depth, and combined the junior varsity with the varsity four games into last season.
In 2013, Keaau defeated Honokaa for its only victory, and handed the Dragons their first winless season in school history, dating back to 1956.
In a BIIF season-opener, Keaau hosts Honokaa on Thursday at Cougars Stadium, putting the carrot of a first win on the line.
For the first time since Keaau joined the league in 2001, the JV team had a whopping 74 players, and was forced to make cuts.
Most of those youngsters will get seasoned on the JV level, and will be welcomed reinforcements in a year or two.
Keaau coach Kalei Young knows there’s no better resource to building a program than depth. That’s because he’s been on both ends.
He’s been associated with the school for a decade and was an assistant when the Cougars reached the BIIF championship against Kealakehe in 2005, ’06, and ’10. (Keaau lost each time and has never won a BIIF title.)
Last year’s Keaau freshmen class was roughly 300 students. The June 28 lava flow had Pahoa families moving to the Keaau school district, and some have remained.
More significant, Pop Warner midget champion coach Kel Lee, from the Puna Panthers, has joined the staff as an assistant. Also, Reed Hakoba, another popular Pop Warner coach, is Keaau’s JV head coach.
“We’re a growing community. For years, we’ve seen an influx of people moving into Paradise Park,” Young said. “After things happened with the lava flow, a lot of guys have moved to the Mountain View area. It’s been a complete 180 with our numbers.
“There’s excitement in the Keaau community. Anytime you see an influx of people moving into a community good things happen. High school football is one of those things the community can get behind and support.”
Offense
Quarterback
Interviewed last Wednesday, the Cougars were still running candidates at QB.
Dreq Agliam, a junior, is basically a receiver, and also will see time in the secondary.
“He’s never played QB before, but he’s done a great job handling the offense,” Young said. “We want him at receiver because he’s such an athletic weapon.”
Isaiah Resendez is a senior transfer from Washington, where he was a quarterback at his Northwest school.
“He’s got a lot of poise,” Young said. “Experience is a big key. He knows how to handle a huddle, and all the intricacies of playing quarterback.”
Adario Ortiz is another candidate to run Keaau’s multiple-formation offense with a pro-set base. The junior is also a rookie QB.
“He’s a big kid and looks like he could play pulling guard,” Young said. “He has a great work ethic. He gives 100 percent in everything at each practice. He’s got a cannon arm. When he gets his feet set, he can throw the ball.”
Like Agliam, Dilan Santos fits into the athletic QB category. Santos will also take snaps at receiver and running back.
“He’s cool, calm and collected, and especially athletic,” Young said.
Running back
Kage Kealamakia has a background on defense, but wanted to play running back in his senior season.
Young’s theory is to stick players at positions where they’re comfortable. However, there are no free rides to a starter’s job.
“He’s very determined that he wanted to play running back,” Young said. “He improved his speed, strength and vision. He’s worked so hard, and we wanted to give him a shot. He’s worked his way up to being one of our main running backs.”
Iokepa Shiroma, a senior transfer from nearby Kamehameha, will get his share of carries, too.
“He’ll also anchor our middle at linebacker,” Young said. “He’s a hard-nosed football player. “
Receivers
Agliam, Damion Scandrick, Kaina Vierra, and basketball players Charles Caldwell-Ka‘ai and Jojoe Villa will be the main pass catchers.
“Charles could make some noise,” Young said. “I’ve always liked having basketball players. They’re good athletes. If you throw a jump ball up, there’s a good chance he’ll come down with it.
“I’ve watched Jojoe play man-to-man defense on the basketball court. I think on the football field he could be a good cornerback, too.”
Offensive line
Jesse Bossy and Kenny Simmons are returning starters. Bernabe Dela Rosa, Kevin Fernandez, Tyson Cabral-Angel, and Styrus Mercado-Silva will see time in the trenches.
“I like the way that they’re positive, and work well as a group,” Young said.
Defense
Linemen
Most of the O-line guys will double down on defense, too. Luis Lopez will also get reps on the line.
“Same like the O-line, they’re united and work well together,” Young said. “They’re positive and get after it in every assignment, and give 100 percent in every practice.”
Linebackers
Shiroma, Simmons, Damien Furtado, Noa DeMotta will draw major minutes.
“They’re all tough and hard-nosed,” Young said. “If they stay positive, that will be a key and they’ll be fine.”
Secondary
Agliam, Scandrick, Villa and Kaeo Ahuna will start in the backfield.
When linemen make mistakes, it’s an easy 5-yard gain for a running back. When linebackers make mistakes, it’s a long first down.
When the secondary misses an assignment and blows a coverage, the other team is celebrating a touchdown.
That’s why Young stresses the positive and learning from mistakes.
“Being positive is one of the biggest things,” he said. “They secondary is the backbone of the defense. If you make a mistake, it’s about getting better.
“I tell the kids all the time at practice that nobody is perfect. We expect them to learn from their mistakes, and a positive outcome will happen. “
Outlook
Keaau’s season-opener against Honokaa will be a measuring stick.
The Dragons finished 2-6 last year in the Division II standings. They’re green like the Cougars.
At least in the current format, all eight of the BIIF teams qualify for the postseason.
Young and his Cougars aren’t thinking that far ahead.
“We take it one game at a time,” he said. “We’re focusing on Honokaa.”
