As a junior last year, Kalanimoku Pauole passed for 333 yards with five touchdowns in limited action for Leilehua. Evan Asato | SL

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Evan Asato | SL

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As the third guy on Leilehua's quarterback depth chart last year, Kalanimoku Pauole didn't get a whole lot of playing time. Now, with the two quarterbacks ahead of him departed due to graduation, Pauole will get his chance to shine as the trigger-man of the Mules' high-octane offense.

Leilehua coach Nolan Tokuda said he's noticed improvement in Pauole — in multiple facets — since the end of the 2013 season.

"He's worked really hard on the field and in the classroom, too," said Tokuda, who is entering his 10th season. "He's worked on his academics, worked on his leadership side. He wanted to be a better leader and a better teammate, so we've seen a lot of growth on the character side."

As a junior last year, Pauole passed for 333 yards with five touchdowns against four interceptions in limited action. He's been hard at work with new offensive coordinator Bobby George over the summer.

"Mostly my reads — I had some pretty terrible reads — and my release," said Pauole when asked what he'd like to improve upon from last season. "Coach says I have to work on (my release) because he thinks it's too slow, like Tim Tebow."

Pauole will have no shortage of talented players around him on offense. The running-back duo of Ikaika Piceno and Randy Neverson could prove to be the best 1-2 punch in the state, which figures to benefit Pauole and the trio of sure-handed receivers Toma Savea, Austin Molina and Lauriano Lucas. All of them are seniors.

Savea, who is 6-1 and 225 pounds, looks poised for a breakout year.

"We're going to move him around from wide out, certain sets he'll be a slot back and even a tight end," Tokuda said of Savea. "He's been getting playing time at outside linebacker and on all the special teams, so he's one of the guys that probably won't come off the field for us. He's going to be one of our playmakers."

Piceno, who rushed for a team-high 430 yards and seven touchdowns last year, is optimistic about the Mules' chances.

"Our offense is looking great. We have great receivers, good running backs. I think we're pretty versatile in each position," said Piceno, who had high praise for Neverson. "I love how he runs, he runs hard, he's so relentless. I love that about him."

The key to success for any running back is a good offensive line, of course, and Tokuda says he has one.

"Anytime you have a good supporting cast, it makes your job so much easier, but our strength will be the offensive line and how they handle their guys up front, which will help our two running backs and defenses have to honor that," said Tokuda a former Aiea quarterback. "Then it just opens things up in the passing game and the play-action pass."

Pauole is the latest in a line of decorated Mules' quarterbacks who played under Tokuda, including Bryant Moniz, Andrew Manley and Kenan Sadanaga.

"It's some pretty big shoes to fill in, because those three were pretty big standouts in this school, so trying to live up to their standards and play at their standards is quite a challenge," said Pauole, who is simply taking it day-by-day for now. "My biggest challenge is being a leader for the team and helping out and doing the best I can do so that we can go as far as we can."

2014 Leilehua football schedule
Aug. 8 — vs. Punahou
Aug. 16 — vs. Kailua
Aug. 22 — vs. McKinley
Aug. 29 — at Waianae
Sept. 5 — vs. Castle (homecoming)
Sept. 12 — at Waipahu
Sept. 26 — at Kahuku
Oct. 3 — vs. Kaiser