Kamehameha players are addressed by new head coach Doug Cosbie. Kalani Takase | SL

Purchase image 1 of 3

Punahou players assemble for an afternoon practice. Kalani Takase | SL

Purchase image 2 of 3

Saint Louis running back Adam Noga goes through a running drill in an afternoon practice. Kalani Takase | SL

Purchase image 3 of 3

ScoringLive was fortunate enough to visit all three ILH Division I football teams within the past week to film our 16in16 presented by Hawaiian Host video previews, giving us a chance to take a closer look at Saint Louis, Kamehameha and Punahou.

I managed to jot some notes down at the three practices last week. Here are some of those observations:

Saint Louis Crusaders

-The Crusaders are built on speed and they have lots of it, especially at the offensive skill positions. Receivers Allan Cui, Devan Stubblefield and Drew Kobayashi are all superior speedsters and will help QB Ryder Kuhns and the vertical passing game.

-RB Adam Noga is not far behind the receiving corps on speed. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound senior looks slimmed down from a year ago and, combined with the 5-foot-7, 170-pound Kaulana Vinoya, should provide a potent punch in the run game. Noga stood out in a scrimmage against Leilehua Friday with 204 yards on 16 rushes and two touchdowns.

-The Crusaders are young in the front seven on defense, but experienced in the secondary. The leader of the group is by Jacob Lacaden, a 6-foot, 200-pound rover-type, outside linebacker/safety. Lacaden, who has given a verbal commitment to Nevada, is joined by fellow seniors Jaisen Sanchez, Tanner Oshiro and Micah Todd.

-Former Saint Louis standout defensive linemen Kalei Auelua and Kamalei Correa were among the best in the state at their positions when they played and DT Peter Sagapolutele looks to fit the bill in 2013. Coaches and teammates have raved about Sagapolutele’s nonstop motor and nose for the football.

Kamehameha Warriors

-The Warriors are adjusting to new coach Doug Cosbie, a former All-Pro tight end for the Dallas Cowboys in the 1980’s, and his West Coast offense. Under former coach David Stant, Kamehameha operated mainly out of a one-back, pistol formation on offense, but now has a new look with the use of two backs (will vary between split backs and I formation) and a tight end on most plays with a lot of pre-snap shifts.

-It is fairly clear that RB Kaulana Apelu is Kamehameha’s most skilled offensive player and a breakaway threat at any time. Apelu has decent size at 5 feet 10 and 185 pounds, but possesses excellent vision and above-averaged speed and is just a junior.

-ScoringLive was especially lucky to get a peek at the Warriors, who were in the midst of three-a-days in fall camp. Cosbie has closed practices at Kunuiakea Stadium to everyone outside of players, coaches and support staff. Most fans got their first look at the new-look Warriors in a scrimmage against Kaiser Thursday.

-Cosbie’s biggest pick-up came when he hired former Kahuku assistant Byron Beatty as his defensive coordinator, not long after Cosbie was hired himself. Linemen Kalei Meyer and Mika Tafua, along with linebacker Calen Holt are the leaders of Beatty’s defense, which is ultra-quick to the ball.

Punahou Buffanblu

-Defensive lineman Canton Kaumatule, rated by some national publications as the top prospect of the 2015 class, did not participate in Monday’s practice. The 6-foot-7, 275-pound junior is still recovering from an elbow injury suffered last week. He did not participate in – but did attend – the Pacific Islands Athletic Alliance in late May due to ankle injury. He expects to be ready for the Buffanblu’s Aug. 15 non-league game at Mililani.

-Kaumatule, who hopes to join older brother Luke on football scholarship at Stanford, said he has been learning to play offensive tackle – a position he hasn’t played since Pop Warner – to give himself “more options in college.” Kaumatule said he exchanges tips with Punahou left tackle Semisi Uluave, who is expected to be a highly-sought after recruit in his own right at 6 foot 5 and 310 pounds. According to Kaumatule, Uluave could also play defensive line in a pinch.

-The Buffanblu recently completed their fall camp, which featured numerous guest speakers aimed at motivating the two-time state runners-up to “finish,” Kaumatule said. The speakers included former UH athletes Kenny Patton (football), Kelly Majam (softball), Miah Ostrowski (basketball and football) and Tom Tuinei (football). Ostrowski is a former Punahou dual-sport athlete while Tuinei’s son, Taumua, is projected to start at middle linebacker for the Buffanblu this season. 

-Punahou looks to be lacking team speed, but makes up for it with size – even at the skill positions. Tight end Dakota Torres, who has an offer from UH, is 6 feet 2 and 225 pounds, while running back Kotoni “K.J.” Sekona stands 6-1 and weighs in at 245.

-WR Kanawai Noa, who led the state in receiving yards last year, was already adept at deep, vertical routes as a sophomore in 2012, but has been working hard to improve upon his route-running over the middle and on short passes and it showed on a spectacular, over-the-shoulder red zone TD pass from QB Tui Tuileta in a scrimmage against Farrington Friday.