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Offensive MVP: Dominic Maneafaiga, Pearl City, running back, Sr.

Apologies to (in alphabetical order): Tsubasa Brennan, Pac-Five, wide receiver, Sr.; Makoa Filikitonga-Lukea, Lahainaluna, quarterback, Sr.; Makaila Haina-Horswill, Nanakuli, running back, Sr.; Micah Kanehailua, Kamehameha-Hawaii, quarterback, Sr.; Nicholas Palleschi, Hawaii Prep, wide receiver, Sr.; KJ Pascua, Iolani, running back, So.

After making the state tournament in 2013, Pearl City is soaring sky-high with an undefeated record in the Oahu Interscholastic Association Division II play so far this year. A lot of the Chargers' early success can be attributed to the versatility of running back Dominic Maneafaiga.

Despite only seeing action at running back in three games last year, Maneafaiga has been a workhorse in the early going in 2014. The 5-foot-7, 172-lb senior has rushed for 407 yards and six touchdowns in four games played so far this year.

In addition to his running prowess, Maneafaiga has shown the knack for catching passes out of the backfield. The senior running back currently leads the team in receiving yards (145) and touchdowns (four) on just 10 receptions.

"He's between a running back and a wide receiver," Pearl City coach Robin Kami said on Maneafaiga. "When he does catch the ball he's real tough. He looks big but he can still move. He has power and he has the quickness of a wide receiver."

Maneafaiga has also flashed his talents on special teams with touchdowns on a punt and kickoff return. He is also a fill-in kicker for the Chargers.

"Dominic is big on special teams because special teams is one third of the game so we really work hard on it. We really want a guy back there that can make something happen. We try to get a big play to set the tempo of the game," said Kami.

The senior running back's greatest performance so far this year was on Aug. 29 against the Kaimuki Bulldogs. Maneafaiga carried the ball seven times for 170 yards and two touchdowns, caught three passes for 23 yards and a score, and also took back the game's opening kickoff 81-yards for six points.

"He's not the biggest kid but he runs hard. He runs like he's so much bigger than he is," said Kaimuki coach Clint Onigama. "I was impressed just by watching him on film. We worried about how dangerous he is. He's an explosive player."

Having a player of Maneafaiga's caliber on the team has opened up opportunities for other players on the offense.

"When they start double teaming Dominic or someone starts shadowing him, it opens up one-one-one opportunities for the wide receivers. This then opens up the run. We can also throw him in the slot. Whenever the defense starts to double team or bracket him, it helps the offense out," explained Kami.

Maneafaiga and the Chargers (5-0) pay a visit to undefeated Nanakuli this Friday before hosting Kalani and Kalaheo at Bino Neves Stadium to close out the regular season.
 
Defensive MVP: Wyatt Maa, Iolani, outside linebacker/strong safety, Sr.

Apologies to (in alphabetical order): Austyne Carvalho-Toloai, Kapaa, linebacker, Sr.; Bubba Ellis-Noa, Konawaena, linebacker, Sr.; Randy Manewa, Nanakuli, linebacker, Jr.; Kanai Picanco, Damien, linebacker, Sr.; Penisimani Taufa, Lahainaluna, defensive lineman, Sr.; Jordan Walker, Radford, linebacker, So.

Wyatt Maa is the man in the middle.

The senior rover – or "Raider" as Iolani coach Wendell Look likes to call it – has made a noticeable impact in the Raiders' three Interscholastic League of Honolulu games so far this year. Maa recorded Iolani's first interception against Damien in the ILH-opener and is averaging eight tackles per game in the last two contests.

"He's got to be able to play strong and be able to cover the pass. He's kind of a hybrid outside backer, strong safety kind of guy," Look said describing Maa's role on defense. "He's one of our captains so he has to be a leader out there, be the one who communicates with the undercover guys, the linemen and the linebackers. We rely on him to be the communicator in that sense.

"If he does his job things open up for him to make plays. The frontline (and) the backers are going to feel and bounce things out to him. He's able to take on the underneath routes and take that away. He's the kind of guy who finishes plays."

Maa's ability to get to the ball helped him pick up the Raiders' first interception against Damien in the second half.

"He knows what he's doing, he's a leader out there and he plays hard on every play," Damien coach Eddie Klaneski said on Maa. "Our guy bobbled the football and (Maa) was chasing him down and he ended up just picking it off because he constantly gets to the ball."

Coach Look also adds that Maa demonstrates several leadership traits that boost the overall performance of the team.

"He's one of the guys that's always up front showing the younger guys what to do and how to do it. He's becoming more vocal emphasizing things. He's getting better in his role and not trying to do too much and do his job. If he does that then everyone else will follow and do their job (also)," said Look.

Maa and the Raiders (3-1) have road games against Punahou and Kamehameha before facing off with Saint Francis in the regular season finale.

Coach of the Year: Phillip Rapozo, Kapaa

Apologies to (in alphabetical order): Robin Kami, Pearl City; Wendell Look, Iolani; Dan Lyons, Kamehameha-Hawaii; Garret Tihada/Robert Watson (co-head coaches), Lahainaluna; Keala Watson, Nanakuli,

There seems to be a changing of the guard on the Garden Isle.

After losing to Kauai in all three 2013 meetings, the Kapaa Warriors look to be in prime position to come away with the Kauai Interscholastic Federation crown.

Under first-year head coach Phillip Rapozo, Kapaa has compiled a 3-1 overall record and has gone unchallenged in league play.

"He gets the kids to play well for him," said Kauai and 2013 All-Hawaii coach of the year Tommy Cox. "I just see guys that are hungry, guys that play fast and have the will to win.

This year's edition of the Warriors is very similar to Cox's Red Raiders the year before. Defensively the Warriors have only given up one touchdown in three league games.

"That defense is unreal," said Cox. "They're big, they're fast and they're aggressive. It's unreal seeing that."

Offensively Kapaa sports one of the best running attacks in the state having averaged 216.5 yards per contest this year.

"They run the ball so well. It opens up a lot of things for them. They got depth and a stable of running backs that is very effective," Cox said on the Warriors' run game.

The Warriors have also played Lahainaluna, No. 1 in the ScoringLive/OC16 Division II Power Rankings, the toughest so far this year. Kapaa was just five seconds away from victory against the Lunas.

Kapaa can lock up its second state tournament berth in school history with another win and/or Kauai loss.