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ScoringLive Division II Midseason Awards

Offensive Player of the Year: Austin Ewing, Konawaena quarterback
The man at the controls of Konawaena's high-scoring offense has been near unstoppable in recent weeks.

Austin Ewing, a 6-foot-1 junior quarterback, has been a touchdown machine for the Wildcats. Ewing has tossed multiple scoring passes in all six of Konawaena's contests in 2016.

The Konawaena junior is at least third in all of the five major passing categories in Division II. His 21 touchdown passes is tied for first and his 250.5 yards per game is good for second.

It is important to note that Ewing has rarely played in the second half in most of the Wildcats' wins. Since losing to Hilo to begin the Big Island Interscholastic Federation regular season, the junior quarterback has thrown for at least four touchdowns in four straight Konawaena victories.

Ewing threw for a season-high 330 yards in a non-league 23-22 road win over Saint Francis to start the year, passed for a season-high five touchdowns in a 62-6 win over Hawaii Prep and completed a season-high 77.3 percent of his passes in a 44-20 win over Kealakehe.

"Austin Ewing is an exceptionally smart and athletic football player," said Saint Francis coach Kip Akana. "When you play Konawaena, the first thing on your checklist is to try and contain Austin. If you get careless and don't make him the primary focus on every play, he will make you pay. He's fun to watch but a nightmare to prepare for."

Konawaena (5-1, 4-1) locked up a spot in the BIIF Division II championship game with a 49-7 win over Honokaa last weekend. The Wildcats can clinch home round advantage in the league title game with a win over KS-Hawaii on Saturday.

Defensive Player of the Year: Wembley Mailei, Saint Francis safety
Teams know better than to throw in the direction of Wembley Mailei.

The junior safety finished the 2015 season as the starting quarterback, but has been a bigger threat for the Saint Francis Saints on the defensive side of the ball.

Mailei has been electric for the Saints' defensive secondary, recording four interceptions, two pick-6s and two pass breakups with 11 and 1/2 tackles through five games.

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound junior scored on a 34-yard interception return in a non-league win over Kauai and a 25-yard interception return in a 23-22 loss to Konawaena. He also had an interception in the Saints' first game against Pac-Five to help Saint Francis rally from a 20-0 first quarter deficit.

"Wembley reminds me a lot of former BIIF player and star UNLV safety Peni Vea," said Konawaena coach Brad Uemoto. "He's long, athletic and physical. He will fly up and make tackles, or can sit back and use his length to close windows in the passing game."

Mailei and the Saint Francis defense are holding opposing teams to 18.4 points per game while giving up just 215.2 yards on offense.

The junior safety's talents are also used on offense in a wildcat-like package. Mailei is proven threat near the goal line, rushing for six touchdowns and eight 2-point conversions.

"His athleticism becomes evident when they put him in that Wildcat formation on offense and just punt the ball right at you," said Uemoto. "The scary part is he is just a junior. He's a great looking kid and I truly believe he will be a really good player at the next level."

The Saints (3-2 overall, 2-1 league) closes out the regular season against Pac-Five Friday.

Coach of the Year: Robin Kami, Pearl City
Pearl City is leading the pack in the Oahu Interscholastic Association Division II standings.

The Chargers, under fourth-year head coach Robin Kami, has won five straight league games since dropping a non-league contest to Lahainaluna, 29-0. They gave up 20 points in their regular season-opener to Kalani, but has allowed just two touchdowns through their next four games.

Pearl City's signature win of the season came on 21-7 victory over Waipahu on Sept. 10. The Chargers were without starting quarterback Nalu Simon, but were able to weather the storm and slow down the Marauders' high-powered offense.

"He's doing a great job and he prepares his team really well. They're a tough team," said Waipahu coach Bryson Carvalho. "They looked really good. Their defense is tough. They gave us the hardest time out of everybody we faced."

The Chargers can clinch a playoff berth and a first place finish in the OIA Division II when they host Kaimuki in their first game on their home field this year.