Roosevelt Rough Riders

Head coach: Kui Kahooilihala (5th season)
Offensive coordinator: Anthony Monteilh
Defensive coordinator: Jon Kahooilihala

Players to watch: LB Kaeo Akana (6-3, 215, Sr.), OLB/WR Kamu Kaaihue (6-3, 220, Jr.), LB Kalua Nahale (5-11, 215, Sr.), LB/RB Syles Kekahuna (6-0, 195, Jr.), WR Jayden Montgomery (6-2, 185, Jr.)

Coach's words: "These kids are not going to give up, they've up for the challenge. We're the new kids on the block, you can say, it's our first year playing with the D1 guys and our kids know what to expect, because it's a little bit harder, the kids are bigger, stronger, faster - we just have good teams in the D1 - so I expect them guys to play hard." - Kui Kahooilihala

SL's take: After capturing the first OIA championship in school history in 2018, the Rough Riders nearly repeated as league champs a year later, only to see Kaimuki triumph in the title game with a last-second field goal. Still, 2019 was a highly-successful season for Roosevelt, to be sure. A 10-win campaign ultimately came to an end with a 35-0 loss at powerhouse Lahainaluna, which went on to win its fourth straight D2 state crown that fall. However, just as the Lunas are, the Rough Riders are making the move up to Division I this year as well - and they also seem ready for the step-up in competition. Defense will set the tone for this group, specifically a linebacking corps that is both experienced and extremely talented. Akana, who earned All-Hawaii First Team honors as a sophomore DE in 2019, is rated as a three-star recruit and has given a verbal commitment to Boise State. In addition to his pass-rushing prowess, Akana has improved in pass coverage despite adding 25 pounds to his frame. Kaaihue, Nahale and Kyson Aponte-Stone (6-0, 225, Sr.) round out the LBs, who will have to do their part to make-up for a young DL. DE Daniel Faletoi (6-3, 230, Fr.) is a high-motor player who has shown the ability to get after the QB. WR Dean Mizukami (5-8, 150, Sr.) is the leader of a talented bunch of pass catchers, including a potential game-changer type in Montgomery and Saint Louis-transfer Christian Aarona (6-0, 175, Sr). The RB duties will be shared by Kekahuna and senior Kai He (5-9, 170), although Nahale is also expected to see spot duty in the offensive backfield. Josh Fong (5-11, 165, Sr.) will anchor the secondary and also play some WR. Kaaihue can also align at WR and will prove to be a mismatch against smaller DBs, particularly in goal-line scenarios. Before he bulked up, Kaaihue was the JV quarterback as a freshman two years ago and, according to Kahooilihala, is pretty good at executing the triple-option. Cayman Lewis (6-0, 180, Jr.) is the heir apparent at QB, where the Rough Riders saw second team All-OIA QB Sky Ogata complete his eligibility in 2019. Discipline and physical conditioning are two areas where the Rough Riders are excellent, which certainly bodes well for their transition to D1 and all the trials and tribulations that will come along with that.

SCHEDULE

Sat Oct 23	Castle	L, 18-14
Fri Oct 29	Aiea	L, 14-13
Fri Nov 05	Kailua	W, 38-7
Fri Nov 19	Iolani *	L, 40-7
Fri Nov 26	Moanalua	L, 27-21
Sat Dec 04	@ Waipahu	W, 17-16