KS-Maui's Kamaka-Brayce, Casco headline Division II preseason picks

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ScoringLive Preseason Football Players of the Year - Division II

Offensive Player of the Year: Makana Kamaka-Brayce, Kamehameha-Maui, QB, Jr.

As a sophomore in 2021, Kamaka-Brayce introduced himself to prep football fans by passing for more than 1,800 yards and 20 touchdowns against just four interceptions. After helping the Warriors secure the Maui Interscholastic League's lone berth in the D2 state tournament, Kamaka-Brayce put together a huge outing in a state semifinal victory over Kaiser, when he threw for 369 yards and four TDs on 20-of-29 passing without a pick. He completed nearly 62 percent of his passes last year and will benefit from the return of his top two receivers in Kahoa Abreu (36 catches for 633 yards, 4 TDs) and Pookela Aiu (34 for 413, 6). Kamaka-Brayce, a First Team All-Hawaii selection a year ago, has put on some 20 pounds since of the end of the 2021 campaign and now carries 185 pounds on his 6-foot frame.

Others considered (in alphabetical order): Kahoa Abreu, Kamehameha-Maui, WR, Jr.; Christian Asinsin, Nanakuli, RB, Jr.; Jakob Honda, Hawaii Prep, Sr.; Easton Yoshino, Kaiser, QB, Sr.

Defensive Player of the Year: Kaonohi Casco, Kamehameha-Maui, DB, So.

Casco proved his worth for the Warriors last Fall, when he started in the defensive secondary despite being just a freshman. The 6-foot, 175-pound Casco has the versatility to play either cornerback or safety. He recorded a pair of interceptions in a 34-19 win over Baldwin last year. A few weeks later, in a 58-27 shellacking of King Kekaulike, Casco picked off another pass and turned it into a 55-yard return for touchdown. In the state semifinals against Kaiser, Casco notched yet another interception and he also broke-up two other passes in the 48-24 win for Kamehameha-Maui, which put the Warriors into their first state championship final the following week. Casco went on to earn All-Maui Interscholastic League First Team defensive honors, as selected by The Maui News, and picked up All-Hawaii Honorable Mention.

Others considered (in alphabetical order): Keegan Gantala, Kamehameha-Maui, DB, Jr.; Kahikini Iaea, Kalani, DB, Sr.; Blade Kaululaau, PAC-5, LB, Sr.; Daymian Lapitan, PAC-5, DB, Sr.