Both QB Marcus Faufata-Pedrina and Zion Tupuola-Fetui have led their respective teams to 5-1 starts, which include an undefeated streak in league play. ScoringLive photo illustration

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ScoringLive Division II Midseason Awards

Offensive Player of the Year: Marcus Faufata-Pedrina, Damien, Sr., QB


No matter what the score is, no lead is safe when playing against Marcus Faufata-Pedrina and the Damien Monarchs.

Faufata-Pedrina, a senior quarterback, has helped Damien to a 5-1 record so far in 2017, which includes a perfect 3-0 mark in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division II standings.

The 5-foot-9, 185-pound signal-caller has thrown for 1,115 yards and 15 touchdowns while adding three more scores on the ground, but it is his ability in the clutch that sets him apart from the rest.

Damien has faced three first half deficits so far this year, but have been able to rally to win all three contests with Faufata-Pedrina at the controls.

In the Monarchs' most recent win, a 27-20 win over Saint Francis last Friday, Faufata-Pedrina helped Damien rally from a 12-0 halftime deficit with 20 unanswered points in the second half, all coming on TD passes by the senior quarterback.

"Marcus is the leader of his team," said Saint Francis coach Kip Akana. "He's just a pure athlete and a tough football player that never quits."

It's also worth noting that Faufata-Pedrina, a two-time All-Hawaii D2 second team selection, has led the Monarchs to many comeback victories throughout his career.

Before he took a snap during his senior year, Faufata-Pedrina had already led the Monarchs to five wins in games where they trailed in the second half. He has also helped Damien outscore its opponent in the second half in the Monarchs' past two state tournament losses.

Damien coach Eddie Klaneski said that Faufata-Pedrina's ability to perform in crunch time is a result of his physical preparation.

"He's hitting the sled during practice, running till it's late at night, you can see that kind of will in those (close) type of games," said Klaneski. "When everyone is getting tired, he and a few other guys are getting stronger towards the end of the game."

Faufata-Pedrina and the Monarchs will take on Iolani Friday afternoon at Kozuki Stadium at Eddie Hamada Field.


Defensive Player of the Year: Zion Tupuola-Fetui, Pearl City, Sr., DE


Hard work has paid off for Pearl City senior Zion Tupuola-Fetui.

After playing in the Junior Prep Sports All-Star game last winter, the 6-foot-4, 240-pound defensive end got serious about his college recruiting stock, participating in various clinics and spending hours in the film room to improve his technique.

By the time the 2017 season rolled around, Tupuola-Fetui already had eight offers to play Division I football collegiately.

With the way the Chargers' season has gone so far this year, there's no question why Tupuola-Fetui is one of the most coveted players in the state.

The senior defensive end has recorded a tackle for loss in every game this year and is a key cog to a Pearl City team that has won three games in shutout fashion.

Tupuola-Fetui, who earned All-OIA D2 First Team honors a season ago, also has 5 and 1/2 sacks to help the Chargers go 5-0 in Oahu Interscholastic Association Division II play with two games left in the regular season.

Even when opposing teams stay away from him, Tupuola-Fetui can be found chasing down running backs and receivers more than 10 yards down the line of scrimmage.

"He knows when you start something, you have to finish," said Pearl City coach Robin Kami.

Although Tupuola-Fetui makes his home in opposing backfields, he's also willing to do whatever it takes for his team to be successful.

In the Chargers' most recent win, a 17-15 thriller over Kaimuki last Saturday, Tupuola-Fetui spent most of the night with containment duties to keep quarterback Jordan Solomon in the pocket.

Still, the senior defensive end found a way to make an impact by blocking a 25-yard field goal that could have given the Bulldogs the lead with 16 seconds left in the game.

"Zion is gifted with his size and athletic ability," said Kaimuki coach David Tautofi. "It's great to see Polynesian players like him get the looks he's getting from colleges and making the most out of the opportunities they are getting."

The Chargers will visit unbeaten Waipahu (5-0 overall, 4-0 OIA D2) this Friday.


Coach of the Year: Eddie Klaneski, Damien


No team has surpassed preseason expectations more than the Damien Monarchs.

Damien was ranked ninth to start the ScoringLive/Hawaiian Electric Division II Power Rankings, but has since climbed up to No. 3 when the latest ranking was released earlier this week.

Even though Damien was without several defensive starters to start the season, seven-year coach Eddie Klaneski and his staff has done a great job in integrating the team's younger players into the fold en route to a 5-1 overall record.

Along the way the Monarchs picked up their first win over Iolani since 2006 and have gone 3-0 to start the Interscholastic League of Honolulu D2 regular season.

Damien will have a chance to complete the season sweep over the Raiders when they travel across town this Friday.