From top left: Mililani's Vavae Malepeai, Kahuku's PJ Liua, Waianae's Jemery Willes, McKinley's Gerime Bradley, Kapolei's Tristan Pebria and Farrington's Sanele Lavatai. ScoringLive photo illustration

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A look at some of the best running backs within the OIA Red division, the first in a four-part series that will focus on the top backs in the state thus far in 2013.

Vavae Malepeai - Mililani

Despite missing last week's tilt against Waipahu, Malepeai still leads the OIA Red division in rushing with 268 yards and five touchdowns in two league games. Malepeai's skills as a runner have transformed the Trojan offense into a more balanced attack as opposed to the five-wide sets led by Jarin Morikawa. Mililani is now running more plays under center, able to utilize play-action passes because of Malepeai being a rushing threat. Malepeai possess an uncanny ability to see running lanes and the shiftiness to cut it back and make defenders miss.

The young running back is only a sophomore and will be a delight to watch as his high school career progresses.

Dayton Furuta - Mililani

While the 6-foot, 220-lb senior is more notably feared as a linebacker, he still is a force whenever he lines up in the backfield. Furuta is a sturdy back that will generally pick up several yards after contact. He and Malepeai form a tandem that almost mirrors what Farrington had last year with Tyler Taumua and Amo Silva. One of the best ways that Mililani utilizes Furuta is as a fullback in the I formation with Malepeai as a tail back. Defenses that see this look will be expecting a strong, hard run which opens up the play-action game. Furuta caught two touchdown passes against Waianae using a play-action, FB-flat play while in the I formation.

Having a diversified running attack for the Trojans will help them gallop through the OIA Red.

Mathias Tuitele-Iafeta - McKinley

Another senior linebacker that sees time in the offensive backfield is Mathias Tuitele-Iafeta. The 5-foot-11, 235-lb senior has already reach the end zone five times in three league games, and should be a reliable goal-line back in short-yardage situations. He has seen a drop in carries ever since the Moanalua game, but that doesn't diminish the power he packs when he runs.

Gerime Bradley - McKinley

Complementing Tuitele-Iafeta in the Tiger backfield is the speedy Gerime Bradley. The 155-lb senior may not be the biggest, but he is one of the quickest. Bradley currently is third on the OIA Red rushing leaderboard with 236 yards and three touchdowns in three league games.

The duo of Bradley and Tuitele-Iafeta will be key to Mckinley's title aspirations.

Sanele Lavatai - Farrington

Filling the void left by former rushing standouts Tyler Taumua and Amo Silva is no easy task, but Sanele Lavatai looks like he's ready to be the guy in the Governors' backfield. Lavatai had a breakout game against Kailua where he reached pay dirt three times and averaged an outstanding 11.4 yards per carry.

Lavatai is primed to flourish in the Governor's system and should be a threat to opposing defenses.

Jemery Willes - Waianae

One of the more disciplined running backs in the state is out west in the form of Jemery Willes. The 5-foot-10, 165-lb senior does a great job following his blocks and has a quick burst of acceleration to get through the smallest of openings. Willes is still nursing an ankle-injury suffered in a win over Aiea and should be healthy come playoff time.

The ankle-injury can be looked as a blessing in disguise as it showed there are more than one good back in Searider country.

Mahvan Tau - Waianae

Fullback Mahvan Tau filled in admirably as a ball-carrier against Mililani while Willes was out. Tau rushed for 138 yards and two touchdowns on just 13 carries, impressive numbers for a fullback. The 210-lb senior is mostly used as a blocker in the Seariders' run-heavy schemes, but will occasionally get the ball on designed trap runs to keep the defense honest.

Waianae has always had a strong stable of ball carriers and this year should be no different.

Polikapu "PJ" Liua Jr. - Kahuku

Another fullback who is known for paving the way for others is PJ Liua who not only run-blocked for now University of Hawaii Rainbow Warrior Aofaga Wily, but also was a good change-up back in Kahuku's run to the state title in 2012. Liua's ability to run between the tackles is more important this year with the Red Raiders employing some triple-option concepts on offense. Liua's main responsibility in these plays will be to run for solid yards on the dive-option. If defenders key on him, then that leaves more running room for the quarterback and pitch-man.

Sofi Afalava - Kahuku

The main guy that Liua will be blocking for this season is 6-foot-2, Sofi Afalava. The 201-lb junior serves as the tailback and pitch-man in Kahuku's running game. Afalava has already rushed for 171 yards and two touchdowns in two league games.

The combination of Liua and Afalava are an important part of the muscle-car engine that is the Red Raiders; and should also be the driving force that carries Kahuku throughout the postseason.

Ikaika Piceno - Leilehua

The element of surprise is important in any battle, something that Ikaika Piceno uses to his advantage. The 5-foot-8, 170-lb junior has deceptive speed and quickness which can leave defenders grasping for someone who isn't there anymore. Piceno, like his older brother Keoni, is also a dangerous weapon in the passing game averaging 15.9 yards per reception.

Leilehua has gathered a bevy of weapons this year and any team that faces Piceno and the Mules has got to be prepared for a shoot-out.

Randon Tuitama - Kaimuki

Another underrated back in the OIA Red ranks is senior Bulldog Randon Tuitama. The 5-foot-9, 165-lb running back turned some heads on opening week with a 194-yard rushing game against Waialua. Although the Red East hasn't been kind to Tuitama, he is still a formidable runner in the backfield. On obvious passing situations, Tuitama evens motions out wide and becomes a pass-catcher on flats and out routes.

Even though Tuitama might now run for huge yardage in the Red East, he is still responsible for keeping defenses in check which helps open up the passing game for the Bulldogs.

Tristan Pebria - Kapolei

With a body that almost mirrors Jacksonville Jaguar Maurice Jones-Drew, Tristan Pebria has got to be one of the most exciting "little guys" to watch on the field. The 5-foot-7, 180-lb senior is used frequently in between the tackles, something that more suited to Pebria's body given his low center of gravity. Although Pebria hasn't rushed for over a 100 yards since opening week, he still averages five yards per carry.

Pebria is one of the many reasons why Kapolei has a chance to make some noise in the postseason.

Kazden "Mana" Reis - Kapolei

Mana Reis possesses skills that an ideal NFL third down back would possess. While Pebria pound it in between the tackles, Reis is deadly on designated outside runs. The 5-foot-11, 190-lb senior is also a threat to make catches out of the backfield, giving quarterback Aizon Kahana a solid target on obvious passing downs.

Kainoa Brown - Kapolei

Defenses that prepare for Kapolei have to be aware that there is a three-headed monster in the backfield. While Pebria and Reis complement each other, having a big fullback like Kainoa Brown gives Kapolei the most diverse running attack in the state. Brown was instrumental in Kapolei's comeback win over Waipahu as the Marauder defense had not seen Brown up until the fourth quarter. The 6-foot, 230-lb senior leads the team in yards per carry averaging 6.2 yards per attempt.

When it comes to Kapolei and their backs, it's a pick your poison situation.

Ishmil Scott - Moanalua

Not posting gaudy statistics for Big Blue does not diminish Ishmil Scott's importance to the offense. Na Menehune's 2012 leader in rushing yards was sorely missed to start the season, something that the record indicates. But with Scott back in the fold, Moanalua has seen an uptick in their performances lately. They gave 2012 state champion Kahuku everything they could handle before bowing out in the second half.

Moanalua is a pass-happy offense that will soar to new heights with a running-threat to keep defenses honest.

Jacob Anae - Waipahu

The 5-foot-9, 190-lb junior is the dive-option in the Marauders triple-option scheme. Anae wasn't slated to be the starter, but has since won the job from senior fullback Tofi Seei. His stats might not be eye-popping, but he runs with heart and doesn't go down after the first contact. Anae also sees time as a slotback whenever he doesn't line up at fullback.

Matthew Leilua - Waipahu

The young sophomore just exudes potential and should be an all-around threat by the time he is a senior. Leilua can do it all for the Marauders: he can play fullback, catch pitches in the option, and is even a reliable target for quarterback Kai Mercado-Aiona on third downs. Leilua suffered an injury against Mililani which is a big blow to the Waipahu offense. The Marauders hope he can have a speedy recovery because his presence will be missed on the gridiron.

Makana Bee - Castle

While Castle employs a four-wide, spread offense as their base, slotback Makana Bee finds ways to touch the football. Bee is most often use in the running game on slot receiver sweeps and on end-around plays.

Austin May - Campbell

Campbell's run-and-shoot offense puts a lot of the onus on the quarterback position, but the running game is important to the scheme's success. Even though quarterback Isaac Hurd carries the ball the most for the Sabers, Austin May averages a hearty ten yards per carry. May will rumble for huge chunks of yardage when the opposing defense decides to drop back seven into coverage.

Fika Tuli - Aiea

The 5-foot-10, 218-lb senior won't carry the ball a whole lot in Aiea's air-raid offense, but should be someone who can move the chains in short yardage situation. In addition to being a running threat, Tuli is also a skilled receiver having gone for over one hundred yards in rushing and receiving this year.