Running back Fitou Fisiiahi is integral part of a multi-faceted ground attack for the Cougars. Eugene Tanner | SL

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Spencer Honda | SL

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Throughout the season, no offense has added more pages to their playbook than the Kaiser Cougars. That's probably one of the main reasons why the Cougars lead all of Division II scoring with 520 points heading into the week. Because Kaiser has players with high football acumen, they are able to modify their offense with great success. This edition of Tape Rewind showcases the many things that Kaiser does on offense that can give them the edge over opposing defenses.

Play number one features a traditional Power-I formation that teams generally use in goal line and short yardage situations. There is a tight end on the right side as well as an additional blocking (H-back) to the right of the fullback, essentially making the right side of the formation the strong side. However in this play, Kaiser sends the H-back in motion prior to the snap to give the blocking a more balanced look. The Konawaena defenders fail to make the adjustment after the motion and the Cougars are able to cash in.

Kaiser runs the same set in play number two, only this time there is no shift or motion prior to the snap. The play is a simple toss sweep to the strong side and the Cougars are able to execute it to perfection.

Similar to play number one, play number three utilizes a pre-snap shift with the H-back motioning out to the left of the line of the offensive line. Again the defenders don't adjust to the change and Kaiser is able to score on a toss sweep.  

Play number four is where the Cougars get really fancy. Not only does the H-back shifts into a new position, but the right offensive guard and tackle as well. The center position is the person on the offensive line who snaps the ball to the quarterback and is traditionally located in the center of the offensive line. Keeping that in mind, the Cougars' creativity is present in this particular play. The H-back and the right side of the offensive line shift over to the left side of the offensive line to create an overload of blockers one side. The Radford defense makes no adjustment as the shift allowing Cougar running back Fitou Fisiiahi to score easily. 

The next play utilizes the same off balanced line, but with a little trickery. Kaiser shows the same movement as play number four; only this time the running back laterals back to a receiver running a reversal. The defenders are completely fooled by it biting on the toss sweep. Because of the change of direction, defenders have to reverse field to defend the play. It's sort of like a basketball player getting past his defender with a crossover move. The defenders now focus on the receiver leaving the tight end open in the end zone for the receiver to throw it to.

It might look easy and well executed, but a lot goes to make this play work. As the offensive line shifts to the left side, the receiver on the far left takes one step back off the line of scrimmage. This is done to prevent a too many men on the line of scrimmage, as the limit is seven. Another key component of this play is that the tight end if lined up to the right of the center after the shift. Normally, offensive linemen that are next to the center are considered ineligible receivers. The reason why the tight end is eligible to catch a forward pass in this formation is because the tight end was originally the last guy on the right side of the line. Defenses usually forget or don't realize this, allowing the tight end to get behind the defense and catch the touchdown pass. 

The Cougars are also adept at running plays out of other formations. Play number six is in a pistol set with two tight ends lined up to each side of the line of scrimmage. These two tight ends cross across the line of scrimmage causing the defenders playing man coverage to "rub" against each other for a bit. This is also similar to a basketball player setting the "pick" in a pick and roll play. The left tight end is able to get free and get the extra step needed to allow the quarterback to throw it for a score.

Play number seven is another play that fools defense. The play is in a shotgun formation with trips to the left side. The start of the play has quarterback Kahoalii Karratti rolling towards his left, giving the impression that the throw will be towards one of the receiver on the left side. Running back Thomas Leong also moves left but ends up taking a handoff towards the opposite side causing defenders to stop in their tracks and try to reverse field. The defenders are unable to catch up and Leong is able to walk in for a touchdown.

With the state championship on the line Saturday against Kauai Interscholastic Federation champions Kauai, I have no doubt that the Cougars will pull out something that no one has seen all year long. Even in the semifinal round against Lahainaluna, Kaiser ran a wildcat formation with Leong alone in the backfield. It might just be the edge against a Red Raider defense that has only allowed an average of seven points per game all year long.