Kaiser quarterback Lii Karratti makes a throw during the Blue Gold scrimmage. Greg Yamamoto | SL

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Kaiser running back Jeshua Bitanga carries the ball in the Blue Gold scrimmage. Greg Yamamoto | SL

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Defensive back Makaio Hopeau-Lampitoc defends a pass intended for Justin Ikei at the Blue Gold scrimmage. Greg Yamamoto | SL

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The 2013 version of the Kaiser High School football squad looks to feature a number of players that might be new to Cougars fans, but who are certainly no strangers to the gridiron.

The addition of at least 10 transfers from around the state on the roster certainly helped to ease the loss of 20 to graduation, which included starting quarterback Makana Lyman, OIA first team LB Leimana Chong-Gum and OIA White offensive Player of the Year Kai Gonda.

"We lost a lot of seniors, but there's a good nucleus coming back and we managed to get a few guys that are going contribute to us as well." said head coach Rich Miano.

Among the transfers is Kahoalii Karratti, a 5-foot-11 signal caller that made the trip to Hawaii Kai all the way from Kealakekua.

"You look at someone like Lii Karratti and he makes that defense have to be much more disciplined when it comes to containing him, cause he will make plays with his legs." said Miano.

Karratti has certainly shown the ability to take the air as well, having passed for nearly 2800 yards and 38 touchdowns a season ago for the Konawaena Wildcats.

During much of the controlled scrimmage however, the defense looked quite impressive, with a great pressure pass rush up the middle on Karratti and a number of solid tackles. The defensive unit as whole kept the offense out of sync for much of the evening and for the most part dominated.

"The offense is a little further along than I thought (they would be) but we expect to be great on defense. These guys do a great side on the defensive side of the ball and we expect to be really good on special teams as well."

Defensive standouts included Fitou Fisiahi, an OIA White first-team DL a year ago, as well as Campbell transfer Makaio Hopeau-Lampitoc, who made a number of great plays on the edge at defensive back.

The trio of sophomore Zeno Choi, a defensive end, junior Manase Palu, a second-team OIA White DL selection last year, and freshman Parker Higgins, a Saint Louis transfer, seemed to constantly be in the backfield.

Defensive backs Cody Kim and Thomas Leong, who transferred from Pac-Five and Kailua respectively, made more than a few plays in the secondary. Linebacker Canaan Saole, a Campbell transfer, looks to be a great complement to Fisiahi in the middle of the Cougar defense as a run stopper.

On offense, Kaiser's projected starter at running back looks to be senior Jeshua Bitanga, but look for what might be an almost 50-50 timeshare with Fisiahi in terms of carries.

"You can see a little bit of Kai Gonda in him." said Miano of Bitanga. "He's probably got a little bit more speed, not as much size and maybe not as much vision. Fitou (Fisiahi) is going to run back there as well, and Thomas (Leong) might get some time at running back as well so we feel like we have more athletes at every position (this year)."

Bitanga found the going a little rough between the tackles, but showed good burst on the outside as well as the ability to catch the ball of the backfield.

Karratti hooked up with senior Curt Clivio on a pair of scores during the scrimmage, and could shape up to be a favorite target along with 2012 starter Destin Moss.

"Offense is behind right now, but I believe they are going to get there and if those guys do a good job then I think we've have the chance to be a special football team." remarked Miano.

Kaiser will get a chance to see how they stack up come July 3, when they travel to Carleton E. Weimer Field for a three-way matchup with two-time defending state champion Kahuku and perennial Red West power Mililani.