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PRESEASON POWER RANKINGS


1. Saint Louis 12-1 (1)
2. Mililani 8-5 (4)
3. Kahuku 9-4 (3)
4. Punahou 10-2 (2)
5. Kapolei 4-6 (14)

6. Kamehameha 3-7 (15)
7. Campbell 6-6 (5)
8. Farrington 2-9 (13)
9. Waianae 1-8 (NR)
10. Leilehua 10-3 (10)

11. Hilo 14-0 (6)
12. Iolani 10-3 (8)
13. Lahainaluna 11-1 (7)
14. Roosevelt 10-3 (NR)
15. Kapaa 8-2 (12)





PRESEASON PLAYERS OF THE YEAR


OPEN DIVISION


OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF YEAR

A.J. Bianco Saint Louis • QB • Sr.

While there is never a shortage of qualified candidates, there can only be one starting quarterback at the QB factory that is Saint Louis. And this year, that job belongs to Bianco. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound senior takes over the controls of Ron Lee’s high-octane offense this fall and while the Crusaders are relatively inexperienced at the skill positions, they are still loaded with play-making ability. Bianco will have the luxury of working behind a massive offensive line and, like his predecessors, should put up prolific passing numbers this season.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF YEAR

Tevarua Tafiti Punahou • LB/DE • Sr.

Although there is a new coach at Punahou this season, you should probably expect more of the same when it comes to Tafiti. The 6-foot-3, 222-pound, four-star outside linebacker is the state’s top rated recruit, committed to Stanford and is just as adept in pass coverage as he is at rushing the quarterback. As a sophomore in 2019, he tallied 45 1/2 tackles, including 21 for losses, 11 sacks, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries, along with three pass break-ups and was the lone sophomore named to the All-Hawaii first team defense.

DIVISION I


OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF YEAR

Kala Estacado-Matthews Castle • SB/RB • Sr.

In a 2019 season that saw Castle struggle to a 2-7 record, Estacado-Matthews was one of the few bright spots. As a sophomore that year, he led the team in rushing, receiving and scoring and earned Second Team All-OIA recognition. Estacado-Matthews averaged 5.5 yards per carry — much of that coming as a wildcat quarterback — and found the end zone a total of 10 times. Expect the 5-foot-7, 165-pound senior to do a little bit of everything for the Knights once again this fall, including some spot duty at defensive back.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF YEAR

Tysen Kaniaupio Hilo • DL • Sr.

Since Kaniaupio first debuted on Hilo’s varsity team as a freshman back in 2018, he has been nothing less than a force to be reckoned with. In his sophomore season he posted 14 1/2 tackles for loss and four sacks and earned All-Hawaii First Team honors, while helping the Vikings to a perfect 14-0 record and their second Division I state title in three years. The 6-foot-1, 285-pound Kaniaupio has developed from a pure nose tackle into a two-gap defender and can play the three-technique or even defensive end.

DIVISION II


OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF YEAR

Easton Yoshino Kaiser • QB • Jr.

As a freshman in 2019, Yoshino helped Kaiser win its first seven games en route to a 9-2 season. The Cougars averaged nearly 32 points per game, while Yoshino recorded 1,631 passing yards and 20 touchdowns and earned honorable mention All-OIA recognition. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Yoshino has added 40 pounds to his frame since his freshman campaign and has also grown by leaps and bounds in terms of self-confidence, which should pay dividends for Kaiser’s run-and-shoot offense this fall.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF YEAR

Sepuloni Tafea Kapaa • DL • Sr.

The Warriors reached the championship game of the Division II state tournament for the fourth time in five years in 2019, only to lose for the fourth time. But with reigning four-time D2 state champ Lahainaluna now in Division I, the Warriors very well appear to be the team to beat and the 6-foot, 310-pound Tafea will surely play a large role in any success they may experience this fall. As a sophomore two years ago, Tafea was the lone sophomore to earn All-Kauai Interscholastic Federation honors on defense.



TEAM CAPSULES


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