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Runnin' Wild - OIA White




Part two of a four-part series. Today we look at the top 12 backs out of the OIA White division.

Makena Johnston - Kalaheo

The most electrifying back in the OIA White division, Makena Johnston leads the league with 451 rushing yards and five touchdowns with an outstanding rate of 12.9 yards per carry. What makes these numbers so impressive is that Johnston is doing it for Kalaheo, a program with small numbers forcing numerous players to play both ways. Johnston may not have that elite, straight-line speed, but he possesses that smooth cut-back ability that can make defenders miss.

One good example of Johnston's cut-back ability can be seen in the Mustangs' game against Kalani. On Johnston's first carry of the game, he bounced back the designed inside-run play to the outside, and juked out defenders en route to an 88-yard touchdown run.

The 5-foot-9, 150-lb junior has been dealing with nagging injuries ever since the Roosevelt game which explains why he hasn't been receiving as much carries as he should. Johnston's health will be crucial for the Mustangs' postseason hopes.

Fitou Fisiiahi - Kaiser

Johnston might lead the league in rushing yards, but Fisiiahi is averaging two rushing touchdowns per game in only three league games. The 6-foot, 235-lb Oregon State commit packs a punch whenever he runs and defenders that aren't prepared for his physicality will feel the boom. Fisiiahi splits carries with Thomas Leong because he also plays linebacker on defense.

Thomas Leong - Kaiser

Anyone team that faces Kaiser and Fisiiahi's bruising style has also got to be prepared for the speedster in Leong. The 5-foot-11, 185-lb senior plays all over the field and occasionally lines up in the backfield. Leong runs the 40-yard dash at a blazing 4.57 seconds and can almost burn any defender at the division two level. Occasionally Leong will outrun his blockers because he has that elite speed to hit pay dirt unassisted.
 
Leong and Fisiiahi combines to create a one-two punch at running back for Kaiser, a combo that no defense has been able figure out thus far.

Tobias Powell - Radford

The Maryknoll transfer has proven to be a reliable threat in the stable of Rams running backs. Powell had a breakout game last week against Kalani where he rushed for 173 yards and four touchdowns on only 13 carries. The 5-foot-9, 170-lb senior is also a dangerous weapon catching passes out of the backfield, something that was evident in the Rams opening week win over Pac-Five. Also a basketball player, Powell has exceptionally great balance giving him the ability to pick up extra yards when defenders don't use proper tackling technique.

Kebi Dellatan - Waialua

Kebi Dellatan is by far one of the more unknown running backs in the league. He might not be one of the big names like Johnston or Fisiiahi, but he is quietly putting together a solid season. The 5-foot-8, 220-lb junior is an important piece of the puzzle in Waialua's spread offense. Quarterback Taleon Lele is the main guy at the controls, but Dellatan is someone who can help take the pressure of him. Dellatan had a breakout game in their road opener against Nanakuli where he rushed for 130 yards and one touchdown on only 11 carries.

With Waialua incorporating read-option concepts into their spread offense, expect Dellatan to continue as the main guy running the ball for the Bulldogs.

Rashone Osborne - Radford

The second back in the Radford running back by committee system is Rashone Osborne. Only a sophomore, the 5-foot-10, 185-lb running back is averaging a hearty 7.4 yards per carry. This early playing time will do wonders for Osborne in the future and should help him develop as a player.

Chance Cacatian - Radford

Rounding out the three-headed monster at running back for the Rams is Chance Cacatian. With explosive receiving threats like Absolom Henry and Jameson Pasigan on the outside, Cacatian benefits greatly especially on draw plays out of the pistol-formation.

Eric Au Hoon-Kaawa - Nanakuli

To quote Mark Twain, "It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog;" a statement that rings true with Eric Au Hoon-Kaawa. Despite only being 5-foot-4, 145-lbs, the senior running back is averaging 6.8 yards per carry. Hoon-Kaawa also is a reliable pass catcher with 150 receiving yards and a touchdown in only three league games. Like Dellatan, Hoon-Kaawa does a great job of taking pressure off of the quarterback.

Justin Dupio - Pearl City

After starting the season at 0-2, Pearl City has bounced back from the early season woes to get back to 0.500. A recent uptick in Justin Dupio's carries can be attributed to Pearl City's newfound success. In the Chargers two wins so far, Dupio has garnered a total of 178 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns.

With Pearl City missing their top three wide outs from 2012, look to Dupio to shoulder the load.

AJ Grace-Kekawa - Anuenue

After losing Kainalu Kaleo and Anuenue Tui to graduation, Na Koa is in need for that rushing leader. Despite losing to Roosevelt last week, Anuenue seems to have found their guy in AJ Grace-Kekawa. The 5-foot-7, 143-lb sophomore has scored all of Anuenue's touchdowns so far this season.

Kainalu Pitoy - Roosevelt

While the linebacker is more notably known for his defense, Kainalu Pitoy is a reliable ball-carrier for the Rough Riders. The 5-foot-9, 185-lb senior was instrumental in Roosevelt's first win of the season scoring three total touchdowns. Pitoy has rushed for a total of 118 yards so far this year, and is averaging 4.5 yards per carry.

Ikona Mamiya - Kalani

Rounding out today's list is the senior running back for the Falcons. With Kalani running the run-and-shoot offense, Ikona Mamiya doesn't see a lot of touches. However when his number is called, Mamiya is a consistent producer of yardage averaging 5.4 per carry ever since week one.

Mamiya is currently dealing with an ankle injury which forced slot receiver Enrique Gruver to play running back in Kalani's loss to Radford last week. Mamiya's return will help the Falcons come playoff time.



Reach Michael Lasquero at [email protected].




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