Kapolei Hurricanes

Head coach: Darren Hernandez (25th season overall, 20th at Kapolei)
Asst head coach/spec. teams coord.: Brad Hewahewa
Offensive coordinator: Ricky Lumford
Co-defensive coordinators: Mose Tuia, Mike Ioane

Players to watch: OL/DL Iosefa Tapeni (6-3, 285, Jr.), TE/DE Will Kulihaapai-Alovao (6'3, 230, Sr.), SB/DB Alea Nahulu-Mahelona (5-8, 160, Sr.), SB/DB Jaylen Esau-Liu (5-10, 185, Sr.), OL/DL Jaedon Garcia (6-4, 315, Sr.), DL Zion Tootoo (6-3, 270, Sr.)

Coach's words: "Our boys will be anxious to play after a year off. The boys just want to play ball. The Open Division is a mystery because there are few returning starters left after the cancellation of the 2020 season, so I feel we have a chance to compete with the tough teams we will be lined up against." - Darren Hernandez

SL's take: The Hurricanes typically have about 90 players turn out for varsity football, but like just nearly every other team out there, those numbers are down - relatively - this fall. About 65 players are on the team roster, which means more than a few kids will end up playing both ways, something that hasn't happened all that often over the years at Kapolei. Garcia, one of a handful of linemen who transferred from Waianae, and Tapeni headline an offensive line that is rich in talent and size. Tapeni might be even more effective on DL, where he racked up seven sacks as a varsity freshman in 2019. Xian Sampaga (6-0, 220, Sr.) will also go two ways as an OT and DE. John McFall (6-1, 315, Fr.) is another one of those big bodies up front, as is Chayce Wilms (6-2, 280, So.), who will start at one of the guard positions. The unit will be tasked with protecting a first-year QB in Tuli Tagovailoa (5-11, 180, So.), the cousin of Tua and Taulia and the younger brother of former Kapolei standout DL Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa. Tuli Tagovailoa, who picked up his first scholarship offer from the University of Maryland when he was still in the eighth grade, is much like his cousins: accurate with a quick release. Triton Keliikipi (5-10, 180, Jr.) and Caleb Dela Pena-Pihana (5-10, 205, Fr.) will share the RB duties. Additionally, Hernandez hopes to get Ezra Sidotti (6-0, 215, Sr.) back in the mix after offseason knee surgery. Esau-Liu, who Hernandez compared to former standout SB Jaymin Sarono, and Nahulu-Mahelona are a pair of explosive slots, while Garrett Hayes (6-1, 240, Jr.), normally a DE, presents a big, athletic target at TE in short-yardage and goal-line situations. Tootoo is the top player on the DL, which also features a standout edge rusher in DE Will Kulihaapai-Alovao (6-3, 230, Sr.) and MLB Andy Liana (6-0, 230, Sr.) can aide in both run defense and pass coverage. Safeties Riley Makinney (5-11, 200, Sr.) and Austin Bagio (6-1, 200, Sr.) are solid in man coverage, while AJ Diaz-Kail (6-2, 185, Jr.) brings rare height to the CB position. With a bevy of athletes at both the skill positions and on the line of scrimmage - and a talented QB in Tagovailoa - the Hurricanes could be poised for a special season this fall.

SCHEDULE

Fri Oct 15	Kahuku	L, 41-7
Fri Oct 22	Mililani	L, 20-0
Fri Oct 29	@ Farrington	W, 27-14
Sat Nov 06	Campbell	L, 36-3
Fri Nov 19	Waianae	L, 12-3
Fri Nov 26	@ Leilehua	W, 32-13