HONOKAA — Honokaa head coach Noeau Lindsey has a hard time talking about his team without mentioning pride.
HONOKAA — Honokaa head coach Noeau Lindsey has a hard time talking about his team without mentioning pride.
The word has served as a motivational acronym for the Dragons heading into the season, translating to perseverance, respect, integrity, determination and enthusiasm.
“Every time we step on the field I want our boys to play with pride,” Lindsey said. “Honokaa always has the talent. Getting the boys to direct all their energy and passion in the right places is my biggest part.”
Lindsey — a first-year head coach — was an assistant on the Dragons team last year that finished with a 2-6 record in the BIIF, including a 36-0 loss to eventual champion Konawaena in the Division II semifinals. He realizes it’s an uphill battle in BIIF’s Division II, but believes his Dragons are more than capable of making some noise.
“Honokaa will be the underdog in every game until we make the statement that we aren’t anymore,” Lindsey said. “I believe we have the talent to contend — I know that.”
That starts at quarterback, where Ocean Guerpo will take the snaps primarily out of the pistol set. The junior dual-threat has the athleticism to capitalize when defenses don’t account for his speed, but is far from a run-first QB. In a five-touchdown preseason performance against Waiakea, he displayed patience in the pocket that allowed his receivers to find space downfield.
“He’s a really good athlete that makes intelligent decisions,” Lindsey said. “But what I like the best is his leadership and commitment to the team.”
Guerpo will certainly have options to throw to. Kelvin Falk, Paki Akau and Kamuela Spencer-Herring are three of Honokaa’s bigger targets. Quick guys like Kealakai Lindsey and Ryon Kunishige-Aikau — among others — will play out of the backfield and slot.
“We have the athletes for this offense,” Lindsey said. “Some people are asking why we don’t go to the power running game, but I don’t feel we have the personnel for that.”
Up front, Honokaa has some beef, starting at center with junior Tuck Giltner — listed at 5-foot-7, 300-pounds. Sophomore Makaio Liftee (5-11, 277) and junior Christian Tablit (6-1, 270) will also help move some people around on the line.
Senior Kale Pahio is an athletic big man who Lindsey could see playing on both sides of the ball, but his primary duty will be wrecking havoc as a nose tackle on defense.
The most noticeable change on defense for the Dragons will be the absence of senior Keaka Swift. The former all-league performer at linebacker was expected to migrate to defensive end for Honokaa, but broke his leg in the preseason.
Trying to fill that large void, as a pass rusher and leader, will be Klayson Nobriga.
“He’s a senior and I really feel he has the ear of the other players,” Lindsey said.
Linebackers Kainalu Swift and Shelytn Carvalho are expected to anchor the Honokaa linebacking unit.
Lindsey has high praise for corner Trent Tavares. Listed at a 6-1 — with a wingspan likely much longer — Tavares will play a big role in shutting down receivers in a league where teams are leaning more and more on the pass.
“He’s long and can lock it up pretty good,” Lindsey said. “But don’t let that fool you. He can hang in the weight room with the best of them.”
Lindsey feels he has inherited a well-coached, talented bunch. He has a hard time singling out standout players, because in his heart, he feels like the upwards of 40 players on the roster have all earned recognition.
“I really can’t pick five standout players. When I look at my roster, I feel like I have 40-some standouts,” Lindsey said. “I’m just picking up a torch and running my leg of the race. Looking to the future, we want to come in every year and be competitive. That goal is not out of reach. We don’t have to stand behind and watch the other teams be successful and think we can never be like that. If we work hard enough, we can get there.“
Schedule
Week 1
Friday
Honokaa at Kealakehe, 5 p.m. JV, varsity follows
Week 2
Sept. 3
Honokaa at Waiakea, 11 a.m. JV, varsity follows
Kealakehe at Hawaii Prep, 2 p.m.
Week 3
Sept. 9
Honokaa at Kamehameha, 5 p.m. JV, varsity follows
Week 4
Sept. 16
Keaau at Honokaa, 5 p.m. JV, varsity follows
Week 5
Sept. 23
Hilo at Honokaa, 5 p.m. JV, varsity follows
Week 6
Sept. 30
Hawaii Prep at Honokaa, 7 p.m.
Week 7 (tentative schedule)
Oct. 7
Konawaena at Honokaa, 5 p.m. JV, varsity follows
Oct. 21-22
D-I and D-II championships, at higher seed