Trojans, Raiders (again) and Skippa

Skippa Dias poses for a picture with wife Mary at Hawaiian Airlines Field at Aloha Stadium on November 1, 2013. Greg Yamamoto | SL

Now that the 2014 prep football season has wrapped up — and that crazy Division I state championship game is over — we can all catch our collective breath after what seemed like a really fast football season.

There were many great stories that come with high school football every year and this season was no exception.

For the first time in the 16-year history of the First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA D1 Football State Championships, the Mililani Trojans won it all. It was just the second time a school outside of the ILH's big three of Punahou, Saint Louis and Kamehameha or powerhouse Kahuku won.

Meanwhile, the Iolani Raiders reclaimed their spot atop the D2 world after a one-year absence with their eighth state title in school history. They "upset" top-seeded Lahainaluna 31-14 in the championship game behind a brilliant performance from senior QB Austin Jim On, who was "Reece Foy-like," throwing for 239 yards on 21-of-24 passing without a turnover.

The neighbor islands were well-represented in the state tournament by the likes of Kapaa, Kamehameha-Hawaii and the aforementioned Lunas in the D2 tournament, while Maui and especially Hilo, put on respectable performances in the D1 first round in Halawa.

That's just a few of my favorite stories that we got to report on in 2014, but after a while the years and players get all mixed up in my head (is that called old age?). One thing I won't forget is that this was the year we lost a legendary football coach, dedicated educator and just an overall good guy when Skippa Diaz passed away on Aug. 23.

I was a young child during Skippa's decorated run at Farrington and didn't ever see his teams play live, but once you met the man, you didn't have to know his football credentials to realize that he was special.

I feel fortunate to have been able to talk with and interview Skippa with his wife, Mary, during halftime of the 2013 OIA D1 championship game when his beloved Govs were taking on Mililani. He was gracious with his time, thoughtful with his responses and, as always, firm with his handshake. He was a true gentlemen.

Other memorable stories from this football season:

-Hilo's unblemished run to a second straight BIIF D1 championship and thrilling 20-10 loss to Kahuku in a state tournament first-round game at Aloha Stadium
-Iolani's return to the top of the D2 world after a one-year absence
-Nanakuli's undefeated run to the OIA D2 crown (including several down-to-the-wire finishes)
-Kamehameha-Hawaii first BIIF D2 title since 2010 and a win over Nanakuli, it's first ever in the state tournament
-Lahainaluna's march to its first D2 state championship comes up short in the title game
-Kapaa's first KIF crown since 2010 and second-half comeback in a state tournament first-round win over Pearl City
-Kahuku's roller-coaster season of offensive struggles, but solid defense and special teams all year under year one of Lee Leslie
-Mililani's perfect (13-0) season, including a second straight OIA D1 championship and its first state title in school history, capped off with a 53-45 win over then-unbeaten Punahou
-Kaiser's first season under Cameron Higgins sees it qualify for the OIA D1 football tournament and reach the quarterfinal round after a opening-round win over Moanalua. The Cougars lost to eventual-OIA and -state champion Mililani, but finished 5-4 after winning the D2 state title last year
-Reggie Torres' first year as Punahou's offensive line coach after a highly-successful run as Kahuku's head coach
-The much-anticipated return of Cal Lee to Saint Louis, the 0-3 start, 6-0 winning streak that followed and the thriller against Punahou
-Hurricane Iselle and its impact on the start of the prep football season
-The passing of Campbell linebackers' coach Dave Wojcik
-Kapolei sophomore lineman Noah Mahelona's sack against Kahuku in the OIA quarterfinal round after his father, John, died when the teams played earlier in the season at the same field
-The passing of longtime Farrington football coach Edward "Skippa" Diaz

Reach Kalani Takase at [email protected].