Kamehameha running back Kaulana Apelu carries the ball in game against Saint Louis on October 13, 2012. Apelu looks to anchor the Warrior running game in 2014 after suffering a season-ending injury in the 2013 opener. Greg Yamamoto | SL

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For much of the 2013 football offseason the Kamehameha Warriors were pretty much in limbo. Six-year head coach David Stant had stepped down in early February to coach football in Japan and his replacement was not named until late May. It wasn’t until June 3rd when Doug Cosbie took the head coaching reins for Kamehameha. Under the former Dallas Cowboy star tight end, the Warriors finished with a 9-2 record with both losses coming at the hands of eventual state champion Punahou. Now with a new season on the horizon, ScoringLive caught up with Cosbie to see what a difference a full offseason can do for the team.

For the quick turnaround in such a short time, Cosbie received consideration for ScoringLive’s inaugural Division I football Coach of the Year award. He was also the mid-season favorite for the same honor.

“Last year there was a few coaches that had worked with the team before, with coach David (Stant), so we had a lot of coaches trying to figure out who could do what, (and) what we’re playing so it was tough,” said Cosbie. “Last year, for us to go 9-2, is a testament to the kids more than anything else. The coaches did a good job, but it was the boys who did a great job.”

With year one in the books, Cosbie and his staff will be able to tweak the Warriors’ system to take advantage of the players’ strengths.

“Probably the biggest difference is getting to know the kids a lot better,” Cosbie said on the difference between this year and the last. “Obviously having a bunch of returners and having a year with them, you kind of know what their strengths and weaknesses are. Lots of guys came up from JV. Most of our coaching staff is returning from last year (so) there’s been little change over.

“I think just being familiar with the boys and what they do best, we’ll try to tweak our offense and defense a little bit to take advantage of their strengths. That’s been a big help.”

One of the new changes on the Kapalama Heights campus will be at offensive coordinator. Cosbie is giving up the play-calling duties to Brian Ah Yat, a former ‘Iolani and Montana quarterback.

“Brian Ah Yat is going to run the offense this year,” said Cosbie. “He is bringing some of his experience and some of the things he likes. Our offense would be multiple personnel, multiple formations. With a tight end, without a tight end. Two backs, one back, four wides, maybe some five wide sometimes.

“We’re trying to be much more balanced this year, throwing and running. Last year we had an inexperienced quarterback trying to learn a system (and) we didn’t throw the ball very well. We ran the ball pretty good most times, most weeks. Not against everybody (though); we struggled against Punahou. We got to be able to throw the ball a lot more.”

Cosbie also pointed out that he is seeing improvement in quarterback Fatu Sua-Godinet.

“Fatu had never played quarterback before. He was a sophomore playing varsity for the first time (last year). He had been a wide receiver his whole life,” said Cosbie. “He’s really good on the run. He’s a good runner so we got to use his assets a little bit more. He’s throwing the ball way better, much more confident and much more accurate.”

The Warriors will also get back the services of senior running back Kaulana Apelu, who had suffered an ACL injury prior to the start of the 2013 season. As a sophomore in 2012, Apelu rushed for 637 yards and eight touchdowns on 100 carries. Given the production of backups Kainoa Simao and Brandon Kahookele in 2013 (1998 yards and 17 touchdowns combined), Apelu should have a resurgent year in 2014. 

“He’s maybe one of the best backs in the state if he’s 100-percent,” Cosbie said on Apelu.

Although the Warriors’ offense will be improved this year, their defense will still be the strength of the team. Under former Kahuku defensive coordinator Byron Beatty, Kamehameha’s defense pressured opponents all season long, limiting opposing offenses to just 206 yards per game. The defense also combined with the special teams unit to score the most non-offensive points of any team in the state, winning the Pizza Hut Defense/Special Teams challenge. 

“Our defense has seven returning starters,” said Cosbie. All of our returners are 10-15 pounds stronger. They’re faster, they’re quicker, they’re stronger. (This being) their second year in the system, Byron is going to be able to do a few more things. We’ll have one of the best defenses in the state so that’ll take some pressure of our offense.

“It’s very aggressive. They fly around, they play hard, they cause a lot of turnovers and they score a lot of points.” 

So what difference will a full offseason do for Cosbie and Kamehameha? Fans will get to find out with an opening game against Waianae to start the year.

“We’re looking forward to a good year. The boys and the returning coaches have worked hard,” said Cosbie. “Everything is real positive right now. The biggest thing for us is just to stay healthy. High school football, you’re usually not two deep at too many positions. If we stay healthy and everyone keeps working hard it should be a good year.”