Kahuku's Pua Falemalu had four receptions for 43 yards in a 34-3 win over Kaiser. CJ Caraang | SL

×

08231524_falemalu.jpg - CJ Caraang | SL

Purchase this image
4x5 5x7 8x10 image download

The tight end position is a rarity at the high school level, a fact that could benefit the Red Raiders in a potential postseason run.

Kahuku tight end Pua Falemalu made an early impact in the Red Raiders' 34-3 win over Kaiser Friday night, catching four passes for 43 yards. 

While those numbers aren't jaw-dropping by any means, Falemalu proved to be a great safety valve for running back convert Kesi Ah Hoy in the passing game, accounting for four of Ah Hoy's five completions. The 6-foot-2, 240-pound junior's first three receptions all gave Kahuku a fresh set of downs and his fourth, a shovel pass from Ah Hoy out of a sack, netted a first down after a face mask penalty was tacked on. 

"He does a great job and he gets open," Kahuku first-year coach Vavae Tata said on Falemalu. "We'll definitely use him in the weeks to come."

Falemalu is also the team's long snapper and has received interest at the position from UNLV.

"That kid is a dynamic kid," said Tata. "Not only can he run routes and catch the ball — but take a look at his long snaps. I keep telling him he's a NFL long snapper."

With most offenses at any level favoring spread formations as oppose to the traditional pro-set or I-formation offense, majority of the defenses that Kahuku faces will not have experience defending the tight end position and Falemalu. 

In my opinion, the biggest cog in Punahou's last state title run was tight end Dakota Torres, an All-Hawaii first team selection in 2013. No defensive back could matchup physically and no linebacker had enough speed and agility to keep up with him. The only player that did a decent job on Torres was Mililani's Dayton Furuta in the championship game. With Furuta playing man coverage on Torres, the Buffanblu's run game was able to get going and Punahou was able to milk clock for the title. 

Now of course Ah Hoy is no Larry Tuileta, but the potential is there for Falemalu to be the missing piece on offense that the Red Raiders need to reclaim the crown. Falemalu's ability as a pass catcher will be the perfect complement to Kahuku's punishing running attack.

Although Ah Hoy's skills as a passer may not strike fear in opposing secondaries, lining up under center gives the Red Raiders another threat in their multifaceted ground game. With LeRod Tongi at fullback and Sefa Ameperosa at tailback, I would not be surprised to see some triple option concepts installed out of the I-formation.

For the most part, Kahuku doesn't need to train its passing attack to win games. Few teams will be able to stop Kahuku's ground-and-pound offense and the Red Raiders are more than content to run it down opposing defenses' throats. But I like what Tata and offensive coordinator John Hao is doing with the Red Raiders' offense. It seems like with each coming week, a new page of the playbook is turned.

From this reporter's view, the new Kahuku coaching staff are building on an existing foundation on offense. As fresh as former coach Lee Leslie's offense was, it wasn't the north-south running style that the players have been ingrained in. Instead of implementing a brand new system, Tata and his staff are putting upgrades on an offensive engine that is tried and true. 

The development in Kahuku's offense will definitely be an interesting storyline to follow between now and the playoffs.