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Radford Rams

Head coach/Offensive coordinator: Fred Salanoa (15th season)
Co-defensive coordinators: Mason Manuma, Dubz Fortson

Players to watch: WR/CB Jack Carson (6-3, 150, Sr.), WR/DE JR Stevens (6-2, 160, Jr.), RB/SB/DB Christian Payton (5-7, 160, Sr.), QB Kalob Victorino-Avilla (5-10, 160, Jr.), LB/OL Jabez Aloalii-Maanaima (6-1, 250, Sr.)

Coach's words: "I'm hoping that our team will be able to put a product on the field each week that our school, athletic program and families can be proud of. Our team is low in numbers and experience, but the student-athletes that have been participating in practices thus far show great commitment, effort and attention to the goals set forth for our team. Our approach will be the same this year as it has been every year: we will prepare and practice each day in hopes to give our opponents a good match-up and game on Friday and Saturday nights." - Fred Salanoa

SL's take: For the first time since 2015, when it won the Division II state championship, Radford is back down in the D2 ranks. The Rams were overmatched in Division I, where they compiled a record of 3-32 over the last four seasons. However, all signs point to a resurgence in 2021 despite a large void of varsity experience on the roster. In fact, just one player has played a snap of varsity football before this season. Fortunately for the Rams that would be Victorino-Avilla, who started a few games as a freshman in 2019. The signal-caller has taken well to the critiques offered by Salanoa, a former college QB himself. Victorino-Avilla will have the benefit of some tall wideouts in Carson and Stevens, as well as WR/DB Landen Takamoto (6-1, 160, Jr.), a Mililani transfer who has impressed with his work ethic. Olijah Gomez (5-7, 145, Jr.) is a playmaker at SB and KR, while Naaliianiokekai Nicolas-Mattos (5-11, 175, Jr.), who was the starting JV QB in 2019, will play just about everywhere, including WR, SB, LB and QB. Payton is a gifted runner, equipped with speed, acceleration and vision. He is adept at cutting back against the flow of the defense and displays patience when seeking a hole and tremendous burst through it. Payton will also be targeted in the passing game and utilized on special teams as a returner. Both the OL and DL are very thin, young and inexperienced, but newcomer Elijah Falaniko (x-x, xxx, xx.) is a big addition with his ability to play both DT and DE, in addition to RB on offense. Salanoa is high on Aloalii-Maanaima, a Christian Academy-transfer who will start at both MLB and LT. If there is a weakness on defense, it is in the secondary, where there are a dearth of veterans. There is certainly enough talent here to contend for an OIA championship this fall - and perhaps even a state crown.

SCHEDULE

Sat Oct 16  Kaimukiat FarringtonW, Forfeit
Sat Oct 23  Pearl City W, 39-21
Sat Oct 30  McKinleyat FarringtonW, 62-20
Fri Nov 05  Kaiser L, 34-14
Sat Nov 13  Kalaniat KaiserW, 28-13
Sat Nov 20  Waialua W, 62-21
Sat Nov 27  Kalaheo W, 42-0
Fri Dec 03  Iolani * Canceled
Fri Dec 10@   Nanakuli L, 30-12
Fri Dec 17@   Kaiser L, 52-17

league games bold *non-league **HHSAA tournament


2019 TEAM STATS

AVERAGESOFFENSEDEFENSE
POINTS10.535.3
YARDS149.5357.1
PASS95.0211.6
RUSH54.5145.5

TEAM CAPSULES


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