In the land of giants, two did all that was asked of them \u2026 and more.<\/p>\n
Coaches and media voted Tainoa Lave of Campbell as the Defensive Player of the Year and Chazz-Michael Kapahu of Kapolei as the Offensive Player of the Year in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser All-State high school football selections.<\/p>\n
Darren Johnson, who guided the Campbell Sabers to their first Open Division state title, was voted Coach of the Year.<\/p>\n
Kapahu was a key cog as Kapolei reached the semifinal round of the First Hawaiian Bank\/HHSAA Open Division State Championships. Kapahu rushed for 944 yards and 16 touchdowns on 182 carries, leading all Open Division running backs by a huge margin.<\/p>\n
He added 16 receptions for 160 yards and another TD, and even threw a TD pass. Kapolei\u2019s stellar season was built on balance, and Kapahu\u2019s ability to close the deal was crucial. He scored at least one TD in 10 of the Hurricanes\u2019 13 games. He opened the year with 112 yards and a TD on 14 attempts against Punahou and kept grinding from there.<\/p>\n
The first response from Kapahu was a mahalo to his trenchmen.<\/p>\n
Don’t miss out on what’s happening!<\/p>\n
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\u201cMy left tackle is Shyzen Akiona. My left guard is Angel Watson-Amaral,\u201d Kapahu said. \u201cMy center is Riley, Riley\u2026 I forgot his last name.\u201d<\/p>\n
That would be Riley Leuma.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy right guard is Josiah-Michael Pule. My right tackle is Ioane (Paselio),\u201d Kapahu said.<\/p>\n
The only senior of the fab five is Leuma. The rest are freshmen or sophomores except for Watson-Amaral, a junior.<\/p>\n
\u201cI knew that they would be able to play as they get older and better, and they\u2019re already playing better now,\u201d Kapahu said.<\/p>\n
At 5 feet, 8 inches and 180 pounds, Kapahu combined power, agility and durability. Kapolei had one of the state\u2019s most talented offensive lines, including two promising freshmen. Kapahu\u2019s ability to pick up yards after contact kept defenses honest, helping to open up Kapolei\u2019s aerial attack.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m happy that we know we can take it all the way to states,\u201d Kapahu said. \u201cBut I\u2019m kind of worried that we might have to split kids, going back and forth transferring. I\u2019m hoping that we\u2019re going to stay intact.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kapolei coach Darren Hernandez first saw Kapahu play two summers ago.<\/p>\n
\u201cI saw him play during the summer of his sophomore year during workouts. I saw a very determined kid who had an amazing work ethic,\u201d Hernandez said. \u201cHis speed, power and elusiveness have improved greatly, and it was already apparent. Mikey is a lead-by-example guy. He outworks everyone, and his teammates are drawn to his standard of excellence. He always does things right. He\u2019s a joy to coach.\u201d<\/p>\n
Aside from the All-State voters, Kapahu may be somewhat overlooked. He was not invited to play in the recent Polynesian Bowl. He just speaks softly and keeps grinding in the weight room, his training days under a scorching-hot Leeward Coast sun are matched by very few.<\/p>\n
His max squat is 375 pounds. His bench press max is 325 pounds. His bench press rep max is 14 at 225 pounds.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m really glad for this (honor). I don\u2019t think anybody worked harder than me for this. I\u2019m just very glad for all the people that supported me. Without them, I wouldn\u2019t be here,\u201d Kapahu said. \u201cIn the future, hopefully I\u2019m at college somewhere playing football for as long as I possibly can and make the best of it.\u201d<\/p>\n
The constant, sometimes punishing style between the tackles separated Kapahu and only a few of his peers from the pack. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt probably comes from my (running backs) coach Tyler Fabrao. He puts a lot of pressure on me. He always looks for the best for me. He probably made me who I am today,\u201d Kapahu said. \u201cI\u2019m thankful for my mom and my brothers, my sister and all my coaching staff, (assistant) coach Mike Ioane. I\u2019m thankful to Kapolei for giving me an opportunity to make a contribution.\u201d <\/p>\n
At 5-10 and 175 pounds, Lave was the X factor in Campbell\u2019s superb season. Offensive coordinators game-planned for the mobile defender. Lave\u2019s versatility extended to special teams and offense, playing wide receiver with the latter.<\/p>\n
His real value on offense came late in the season with a move to quarterback, where Campbell\u2019s smashmouth, wildcat scheme led to 11 carries for 42 yards and two touchdowns in a state-tourney semifinal win over Kahuku. That night was capped by Lave\u2019s game-winning play in the final seconds, a sprint to the right pylon for the most epic 2-yard TD run in school history.<\/p>\n
In the state final a week later, he had 27 yards and one TD in the Sabers\u2019 26-23 win over Kamehameha.<\/p>\n
His football IQ grew as a youngster playing QB in youth football, which helped immensely when he began to play defense. He finished senior season with 77 tackles, including 10 for loss and four sacks. He had two interceptions, forced three fumbles and recovered one fumble. Beyond the numbers, he was similar to a quarterback, directing his defensive teammates often.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was given an opportunity to be in this position, which is a blessing. Shout out to everybody,\u201d said Lave, who signed with San Diego State. \u201cGetting put in the right spots, providing what our coaches need and being able to be that player means a lot. Putting everybody where they need to be to make plays.\u201d<\/p>\n
After losing in the state semifinals a year earlier \u2014 following a game-ending injury to then-QB, and 2024 OPOY Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele \u2014 the trend could have dipped for the Sabers. Instead, the arrow continued to point higher in \u201925.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was the biggest thing. A lot of the guys, they just matured. At the right time, everybody started to listen and buy in to what we\u2019re trying to do,\u201d Lave said.<\/p>\n
In their only matchup, Kapahu rushed for 76 hard-earned yards and two TDs on 14 carries against Campbell. Lave was incredible, with 14.5 tackles, two for loss, and a forced fumble. Kapolei won 31-13, but Campbell peaked in the final month. The \u2019Canes lost to Kamehameha, 31-10, in the state semifinals.<\/p>\n
The voting was tight, mirroring the balance across the state in all three classifications. Kahuku linebacker Talanoa Ili was second in the voting for Defensive Player of the Year. Ili has already graduated and is now enrolled at USC.<\/p>\n
Kailua defensive end Benjamin Honebein was third in the voting. The Surfriders captured the D-I state championship, powered by possibly its best defensive unit ever.<\/p>\n
Kamehameha linebacker Evan Cazimero, Kahuku defensive back Madden Soliai and Kailua LB Keoki Cypriano also received votes in the DPOY category. <\/p>\n
Campbell QB Brayden Medeiros was second in the Offensive POY voting, with Aiea\u2019s three-way standout, Hiki Kim Choy-Keb-Ah Lo a close third.<\/p>\n
Johnson\u2019s resume includes stops at Kailua and Kaimuki, leading both programs to success. At Campbell, however, the ups and downs have been like none other. He suffered a minor stroke in 2019 and showed no lasting effects. Then, after Campbell\u2019s win over Kamehameha for the state title, he suffered a second minor stroke.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been a lot of excitement, a good journey. It brought that winning the big one can happen to anybody. It put us in a good space. The kids believe in the process here, what we\u2019re trying to do. Trying to win and trying to do it consistently,\u201d Johnson said.<\/p>\n
Campbell did it without a home game. The field is playable, but construction of bleachers and the rest of the facility is still in progress.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur turning point was at the end of the OIA semifinals when we lost (to Kahuku). Everybody just bought in. Anybody can win. There\u2019s no dominant team this year,\u201d Johnson said.<\/p>\n
Campbell edged Mililani 14-10 in the OIA third-place game to eke out a state-tournament berth. Then came a 15-12 win over Kahuku, followed by the instant-classic, crowning moment against Kamehameha.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a good individual honor, but the championship is everything. Getting the kids to believe and play hard for you, I love this place,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Staying healthy is a priority. Johnson just doesn\u2019t show a strong after-effect of the strokes. He walks and talks and is smiling more than ever.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m still here. I\u2019ve got all my kids, they got me on restrictions. My football family,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cThank you, Ewa Beach. This is a special place with special people.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kamehameha\u2019s Kaeo Drummondo and Kailua\u2019s Joe Wong were neck-and-neck in the voting behind Johnson.<\/p>\n
Aiea\u2019s Mika Liilii received votes. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Prep Football: All-State First Team <\/a> by Honolulu Star-Advertiser <\/a><\/p>\n FIRST TEAM<\/p>\n OFFENSE<\/p>\n POS OL OL OL OL OL RB REC REC REC REC QB U K DEFENSE<\/p>\n DL DL DL DL LB LB LB DB DB DB DB U P RET Offensive Player of the Year: Chazz-Michael Kapahu, Kapolei SECOND TEAM<\/p>\n OFFENSE<\/p>\n OL OL OL OL OL RB REC REC REC REC QB U K DEFENSE<\/p>\n DL DL DL DL LB LB LB LB DB DB DB DB U P RET THIRD TEAM<\/p>\n OFFENSE<\/p>\n OL OL OL OL OL RB REC REC REC REC REC QB U K DEFENSE<\/p>\n DL DL DL DL LB LB LB DB DB DB DB U P RET HONORABLE MENTION<\/p>\n OFFENSIVE LINE: Uluaki Tatafu (Kailua), Kanoa Lopez (Kapaa), Andrew Ponafala-Fruean (Waipahu), Pau Spencer (KS-Maui), Pierce Taumua (Waipahu), Peyton Taumua (Waipahu), Isaiah Bertola (Farrington), Faanu Mao (Baldwin), David Kauvaka (Lahainaluna), Jerusalem Alailefaleula (Waianae), Efren Siuloa (Kahuku), Pono Momoe (Campbell), Amaziah Siale (Kapaa), Akoni Mata (Waimea), Samson Kala (Waimea)<\/p>\n RUNNING BACK: Zedekiah Campbell (KS-Maui), Tristan Pacheco (Waipahu), Charleston Salazar (Keaau), Zade Kalua (Nanakuli)<\/p>\n RECEIVER: Champ Colburn (Aiea), Hiilawe Han (Baldwin), Chaseton Wong (KS-Hawaii), Rhino Aumua (Kahuku)<\/p>\n QUARTERBACK: Isaiah Keaunui-DeMello (Kailua), Hunter Fujikawa (Punahou), AJ Tuifua (Damien), Caizel Jesus-Kapesi (Aiea), Bennett Strobel (Leilehua), Mana Forges (Kamehameha)<\/p>\n KICKER: Braven Hopkins (Castle), Ryan Bulesco (Kalani), Larry McCarley (Kapolei)<\/p>\n DEFENSIVE LINE: Kona Acedillo (Saint Louis), Delton Kurahashi-Choy Foo (Kailua), Siale Reid (Kahuku), JJ Butay (Waimea), Zane Fujihara Faavesi (Konawaena), Caden Dellefave (Baldwin), Kahikapu Young (Leilehua), Devon Green (Kapaa), Kalewa Pascua (KS-Maui), Isaako Sopoaga (Kaiser), Ryan Peters (Kapaa), Aukai Phillips (KS-Maui)<\/p>\n LINEBACKER: TJ Alualu (Saint Louis), Amate Taimatuia (Kapolei), Jackson Sebastian (Baldwin), Iraia Manumaleuna (Kamehameha), Dylan Wellerstein (Baldwin), Izaiah Nakamura (Roosevelt), Tyven Self-Gomes-Kealakai (Damien)<\/p>\n DEFENSIVE BACK: Taimane Souza-Fautanu (Konawaena), Brison Miyose (Kapolei), TJ Smith (Kailua), Brayden Bermoy (Kapaa), Maka Leapaga (Waianae), Jayboy Ganiron (Waipahu), Jaedon Pablo (Campbell), Takazee Thomas (Kapaa), JoJo Kahue-Antone (Moanalua), Kash Kamauoha (Kaiser), Shaison Kupukaa (Campbell), Ioane Kamanao (Roosevelt), Maui Kammerer (KS-Hawaii)<\/p>\n RETURNERS: Tainoa Lave (Campbell), Hiki Kim Choy-Keb-Ah Lo (Aiea), Kyle Thomas (Lahainaluna), Kekama Kane (\u2018Iolani)<\/p>\n PUNTER: Nainoa Lopes (Saint Louis), Luke VanAntwerp (Mililani), Larry McCarley (Kapolei)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"In the land of giants, two did all that was asked of them \u2026 and more. Coaches and…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":703739,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2026],"tags":[35159,7],"class_list":{"0":"post-703738","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-football","8":"tag-editors","9":"tag-football"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nfl\/115955407877400997","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/703738","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=703738"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/703738\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/703739"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=703738"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=703738"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=703738"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nNAME, SCHOOL
\nHT.
\nWT.
\nYR.<\/p>\n
\nMalakai Lee, Kamehameha
\n6-7
\n310
\nSr.<\/p>\n
\nKamoi Huihui-White, Saint Louis
\n6-5
\n330
\nSr.<\/p>\n
\nKoloi Keli, Farrington
\n6-3
\n290
\nSr.<\/p>\n
\nChantz Chargualaf, Campbell
\n6-4
\n290
\nSr.<\/p>\n
\nEsaiah Wong, Kailua
\n6-5
\n290
\nSr.<\/p>\n
\nChazz-Michael Kapahu, Kapolei
\n5-8
\n180
\nJr.<\/p>\n
\nNikko Smith, Kapolei
\n5-9
\n150
\nJr.<\/p>\n
\nShaison Kupukaa, Campbell
\n6-2
\n195
\nJr.<\/p>\n
\nZayne Pasion, Campbell
\n6-3
\n180
\nSr.<\/p>\n
\nJordan Nunuha, Saint Louis
\n6-3
\n195
\nSr.<\/p>\n
\nJacob Ballesteros, Kapolei
\n5-8
\n170
\nJr.<\/p>\n
\nHiki Kim Choy-Keb-Ah Lo, Aiea
\n6-1
\n175
\nSr.<\/p>\n
\nTyler Fujimoto, Kamehameha
\n5-9
\n160
\nJr.<\/p>\n
\nTevita Paongo, Campbell
\n6-2
\n270
\nSr.<\/p>\n
\nBenjamin Honebein, Kailua
\n6-3
\n255
\nSr.<\/p>\n
\nRicky Liilii, Saint Louis
\n6-5
\n235
\nSo.<\/p>\n
\nEjay Tapeni, Mililani
\n6-3
\n280
\nSr.<\/p>\n
\nTalanoa Ili, Kahuku
\n6-4
\n225
\nSr.<\/p>\n
\nEvan Cazimero, Kamehameha
\n6-0
\n185
\nJr.<\/p>\n
\nMalaki Soliai-Tui, Kahuku
\n6-1
\n215
\nSr.<\/p>\n
\nTainoa Lave, Campbell
\n5-10
\n175
\nSr.<\/p>\n
\nMadden Soliai, Kahuku
\n5-10
\n180
\nSr.<\/p>\n
\nJahren Altura, Saint Louis
\n5-11
\n175
\nSr.<\/p>\n
\nIsaiah Chong, Campbell
\n6-1
\n170
\nJr.<\/p>\n
\nTaimane Purcell, Kamehameha
\n6-4
\n235
\nSr.<\/p>\n
\nTyler Fujimoto, Kamehameha
\n5-9
\n160
\nJr.<\/p>\n
\nNikko Smith, Kapolei
\n5-9
\n150
\nJr.<\/p>\n
Defensive Player of the Year: Tainoa Lave, Campbell
Coach of the Year: Darren Johnson, Campbell<\/p>\n
\nSiosiua Afungia, Campbell
\n6-4
\n310
\nSo.<\/p>\n
\nKiamaia Campbell, Kahuku
\n6-2
\n256
\nSr.<\/p>\n
\nBrandon Tailele, Kahuku
\n6-1
\n286
\nJr.<\/p>\n
\nShyzen Akiona, Kapolei
\n6-3
\n285
\nFr.<\/p>\n
\nElvis Miller, Kamehameha
\n6-1
\n270
\nSr.<\/p>\n
\nMarquez Mellor, Kailua
\n5-10
\n195
\nJr.<\/p>\n
\nLuke VanAntwerp, Mililani
\n6-2
\n200
\nSr.<\/p>\n
\nWyatt Ho-Williams, Damien
\n6-0
\n140
\nJr.<\/p>\n
\nKingston Siliado, Saint Louis
\n5-6
\n155
\nSr.<\/p>\n
\nKekama Kane, \u2018Iolani
\n5-11
\n160
\nSr.<\/p>\n
\nBrayden Medeiros, Campbell
\n6-1
\n190
\nSr.<\/p>\n
\nZeph Salis, Kapolei
\n5-8
\n165
\nSo.<\/p>\n
\nJadyn Parker, Kahuku
\n5-9
\n165
\nSr.<\/p>\n
\nStone Ah Quin, Saint Louis
\n6-4
\n300
\nJr.<\/p>\n
\nTrison Satele, Mililani
\n6-1
\n265
\nSo.<\/p>\n
\nMasahiro Hopkins, Kahuku
\n6-4
\n255
\nSr.<\/p>\n
\nMathias Nera-Vo\u2018a, Kapolei
\n6-1
\n210
\nSr.<\/p>\n
\nToa Satele, Mililani
\n6-3
\n210
\nJr.<\/p>\n
\nKeoki Cypriano, Kailua
\n6-0
\n220
\nSr.<\/p>\n
\nNoah Papu-Muaava, Kapolei
\n6-3
\n240
\nJr.<\/p>\n
\nMatteo Nera-Voa, Kapolei
\n6-1
\n180
\nSo.<\/p>\n
\nShaison Hosino-Marquez, Kailua
\n6-0
\n200
\nSr.<\/p>\n
\nTaimua Pule, Kahuku
\n5-11
\n175
\nSr.<\/p>\n
\nDane Kellner, Punahou
\n5-10
\n170
\nSr.<\/p>\n
\nTyson Brody Wailehua, Kamehameha
\n6-0
\n165
\nSo.<\/p>\n
\nShawdan Pacheco, Waianae
\n6-0
\n230
\nSr.<\/p>\n
\nJorden Carbonell, Baldwin
\n5-11
\n160
\nSr.<\/p>\n
\nMadden Soliai, Kahuku
\n5-10
\n180
\nSr.<\/p>\n
\nPacks Ahovelo, Kailua
\n6-5
\n320
\nSr.<\/p>\n
\nFisiikaho Valikoula, Kahuku
\n6-3
\n305
\nJr.<\/p>\n
\nIoane Paselio, Kapolei
\n6-3
\n270
\nSo.<\/p>\n
\nAlema Sylva, Mililani
\n6-0
\n290
\nSr.<\/p>\n
\nKamuela Wilhelm, Punahou
\n6-6
\n265
\nSr.<\/p>\n
\nNainoa Melchor, Kamehameha
\n5-8
\n185
\nSr.<\/p>\n
\nMaui Remigio, Kapolei
\n5-9
\n160
\nSr.<\/p>\n
\nVainuupo Fanuaea, Nanakuli
\n6-5
\n240
\nSr.<\/p>\n
\nIoane Kamanao, Roosevelt
\n6-4
\n185
\nSr.<\/p>\n
\nBrady Lau, Punahou
\n5-6
\n150
\nSr.<\/p>\n
\nJahsiah Souza-Armstead, Konawaena
\n5-10
\n160
\nSr.<\/p>\n
\nNainoa Lopes, Saint Louis
\n6-4
\n190
\nSr.<\/p>\n
\nTayvin Kahele, Kailua
\n6-3
\n195
\nJr.<\/p>\n
\nKayden Yap, Kamehameha-Maui
\n5-9
\n145
\nSr.<\/p>\n
\nEzekiel Kelemete, Mililani
\n6-1
\n220
\nSr.<\/p>\n
\nVilitalitiga Mareko, Campbell
\n6-2
\n240
\nSr.<\/p>\n
\nShaden Niu, Kahuku
\n5-11
\n255
\nSr.<\/p>\n
\nSiotame Malafu, Kapaa
\n6-3
\n230
\nJr.<\/p>\n
\nTrehsyn Fesili, Mililani
\n6-3
\n215
\nSr.<\/p>\n
\nMalachi Liilii-Utu, Aiea
\n6-1
\n185
\nSo.<\/p>\n
\nKalei Harbottle, Kamehameha
\n5-10
\n235
\nSr.<\/p>\n
\nNui Gilman, Mililani
\n5-10
\n190
\nSo.<\/p>\n
\nTeave Crawford, Kahuku
\n5-11
\n170
\nJr.<\/p>\n
\nDeegan Anduha, Waianae
\n5-10
\n170
\nSr.<\/p>\n
\nKolt Kahoohanohano, KS-Maui
\n5-10
\n170
\nSr.<\/p>\n
\nBless Hanalei Cabrera-Hopkins, Mililani
\n5-11
\n180
\nJr.<\/p>\n
\nKalaheo Kanae, Kahuku
\n5-11
\n160
\nSr.<\/p>\n
\nXander Pagan, KS-Maui
\n5-9
\n155
\nSo.<\/p>\n