Top Performers
Saint Louis' Tagovailoa, Radford's Butz earn weekly honors




Male Athlete of the Week: Tua Tagovailoa, Saint Louis football
Tua Tagovailoa had a game for the ages last Friday night.

The senior quarterback accounted for nine touchdowns to help Saint Louis roar by Punahou, 64-44 in an Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division I contest at Aloha Stadium.

Tagovailoa, who gave a verbal commitment to play for the University of Alabama, threw for a career-high 447 yards and six touchdowns on 31 of 42 passing, and also rushed 15 times for 104 yards and three scores in the Crusaders' win. 

"He's something special. He's just a one of a kind kid," Saint Louis quarterbacks coach Vinny Passas said of Tagovailoa. 

Punahou hampered the Crusaders early on, holding them without a first down until the final play of the first quarter. It wasn't until Saint Louis' fourth drive of the game when Tagovailoa and company got rolling — and roll they did. 

The Crusaders scored 28 points in the second quarter to cut a 13-0 first quarter deficit into a two-point game at the break, 30-28. Punahou could not match the Saint Louis' offense scoring in the second half and the rest was history. 

"I feel we just had to relax and play our game," said Tagovailoa. "We were kind of getting overconfident, or just jumping the gun. I just feel we had to relax and we just had to get into a rhythm. Once we started to click, I feel that's when we started going." 

An early-game adjustment helped the Crusaders pick apart the Buffanblu defense. Instead of leaving a running back in to help with pass protection, the Saint Louis offense went to an empty set and let Tagovailoa have free reign in the backfield.

"It was a really good game plan for (offensive coordinator) Ron Lee to have us spread like that, it gave Tua more options to play with," said Passas. "Tua is a very intelligent player. He knows what's going on. He has a good knack and a good feel for what defenses are trying to do to us. Once we figure out what they're trying to do to us, it makes his job easier." 

When Punahou managed to cover all five receivers down field, Tagovailoa has the option to wreak havoc as a runner. The senior quarterback had a 25-yard touchdown run up the middle midway through the third quarter that helped tie the game at 36 apiece.

"He's like another running back back there, almost like two persons in one," said Passas. "Once he gets in the secondary, the next level, catching him is one thing and trying to bring him down is another."

Passas has watched Tagovailoa grow over the years, having worked with the young gunslinger in various quarterback camps since he was about 8 or 9 years old.

"He used to come in with his pads and warm up before he goes to his pop warner games," recalled Passas. "For him to throw with the big boys, high school guys, at that age, I thought he was amazing back then. Over the years he's just gotten better and better and better, and he still has so much upside in his potential. When we think he peaks, he still continues to get better and find ways to get better. 

"Over the years he's really matured, physically as well, and that's something that he's not just born with, it's something he's really worked hard for with the amazing support from his family and personal trainers. For him to put in that type of work, day in and day out, it's amazing to see his growth process. I'm challenged every week and every practice to find ways to get him better." 

As special as Tagovailoa is on the field, his influence off the field may be even greater. 

"All the young people around him, and now at our school we've open it up to kindergarten, all the young kids look up to him," said Passas. "He's a real inspiration to them. It's really amazing for our school to experience a young man like him." 

Tagovailoa, who is very vocal about his Christian faith in postgame interviews, also helps lead the team in prayers when given the opportunity.

"His prayers are just spiritual," said Passas. "The words that comes out of his mouth when he quotes scriptures, you know it's really genuine. It's not the same prayer everyday. I know he came from the good Lord above and we're just grateful for the good Lord for sending him our way."

As the weeks of the prep football season go by, Passas will make sure that he cherishes every moment he has left with Tagovailoa.

"I'm really enjoying my season with him and I'm trying to enjoy the last moments I'll have with him. After all this years, it's sad to see that he's going to be going to college. I'm going to really miss him. I'm just fortunate that the good Lord blessed me with the opportunity to work with a guy like this." 

Saint Louis resumes its season when it takes on Kamehameha Saturday night for homecoming.

Female Athlete of the Week: Camryn Butz, Radford cross country
All the time spent running over the hills on campus paid of for Radford's Camryn Butz Saturday afternoon.

The senior harrier took top honors in the Pearl City Meet girls varsity 3-mile run with a time of 20 minutes and 15 seconds over the past weekend.

Butz, a third-year runner, finished the course 37 seconds faster than any other girl to win her first-ever cross country event.

"She's been training well since the summer and I thought she did a really good job," Radford cross country coach Elizabeth Patton said of Butz. "She's been trying to work on her pace and her endurance and it really showed on Saturday."

The Radford senior's finish time was also a personal best.

"To start off the season running your fastest time, I think it's a cool thing because from this point on she's only going to continue to get better," said Patton.

Butz, who is 5-foot-3, was even surprised herself that she finished in first place.

"I didn't expect to win, but I'm just going to keep working hard to keep improving," she said after the race.

Butz said the final stretch of the course was the toughest part for her. The last section of the race has the runners coming off of a downhill before running on an incline towards the finish. Butz credited the hard work that her coaches have given her in practice and her teammates for getting through the final portion of the race.

The Radford senior approached the race just like she does in practice, said Patton.

"When we do our workouts, our intervals, the last one is where we really go hard, so that's what she did during the race," said Patton. "She just went hard in that last part, just like she does in practice. She's grown a lot. In every year she's just continued to get better and better."

Patton said that pacing also helped Butz take first place in the race. Instead of trying to take the lead early on, the senior harrier made sure she had enough energy in her reserve to keep the same speed throughout the entire course.

"It was the first race of the season, so there's still a learning thing, but she just really worked on her pace," said Patton. "She didn't go out really hard, some people like to be frontrunners, but she just maintained her pace the entire time and it worked out for her."

Butz noted after the race that she could still improve in certain areas.

"I need to learn how to kick it in more at the end of the race and start faster at the beginning," she said.

Patton added that Butz is someone she can depend on whenever she needs something done.

"She's a really nice girl. She's this year's team captain so she has the respect of her teammates. Whenever anything needs to get done, she's my go-to person. She's a great kid and she gets good grades. Whatever she does, she always does her best in the classroom and outside of the classroom."

Butz hopes to run cross country collegiately for Marian University in Indianapolis and major in nursing.

ScoringLive intern Leighland Tagawa contributed to this report.

 

CROSS COUNTRY
Colby Otero, Kalaheo — Took first place in the Pearl City Meet boys varsity race with a time of 16 minutes and 6 seconds.

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Trinity Atuatasi, Aiea — Had a game-high 15 digs and two aces in a three-set win over Radford

Isabel Bennett, Seabury Hall — Had a team-high 18 kills and five aces in a sweep of Saint Anthony and had 13 kills in a straight set win over Lanai

Hope Carter, Mililani — Had 17 assists and four aces in a sweep of Pearl City and 21 assists, five aces and two kills in a sweep of Leilehua

Rhylee Corpuz, Christian Liberty — Racked up 28 assists in a four-set win over Makua Lani

Saramasina Docktor, Leilehua — Had nine kills and three blocks, two solo, in a straight set win over Nanakuli

Ashley Ganer, Lahainaluna — Dished out 31 assists in a four-set loss to Maui

Taylor Ganer, Lahainaluna — Had eight aces and five blocks in a four-set loss to Maui

Destyni Grace, Aiea — Had 17 assists, 20 digs, seven kills and two blocks in a three-set win over Radford

Kiana Hyman, Seabury Hall — Dished out 31 assists and had four aces in a straight set win over Saint Anthony

Kawai Kaneakua-Rauschenburg — Had 15 assists and nine kills in a sweep of McKinley

Telly Koon, Christian Liberty — Had 20 kills in a four-set win over Makua Lani

Kamalei Krug, Anuenue — Had 13 kills, one ace and one block in a straight set win over McKinley

Keri Lum, Hawaii Baptist — Registered a double-double of 12 kills and 13 digs with one ace in a straight set win over University Lab

Leslie Mamai-Lagafuaina, Aiea — Had 13 kills and season-high 13 digs in a three-set win over Radford

Cheylah-Marie Marfil, Nanakuli — Dished out a season-high 13 assists with two block assists in a three-set win over Radford

Taryn Mau, University Lab — Had a game-high 14 digs in a straight set loss to Hawaii Baptist

ShaRae Niu, Kahuku — Had a 19 assists and three aces in a straight set win over Kaiser and a season-high 24 assists in a sweep of Farrington

Marina Northey, Seabury Hall — Had 11 digs in a straight set win over Lanai

Ana Oglivie, Iolani — Dished out a season-high 23 assists with four digs, one block and a kill in a sweep of Punahou

Elena Oglivie, Iolani — Had a season-high 12 kills and 11 digs with two aces in a straight set win over Punahou

Ashley Pawlak, Mililani — Had a season-high 10 kills in a sweep of Leilehua

Erica Pilotin, Seabury Hall — Had 14 kills and four aces in a straight set win over Saint Anthony

Mary Pratt, Christian Liberty — Had 20 digs in a four-set win over Makua Lani

Averi Salvador, Punahou — Had a game-high 13 digs with one assists in a two-set loss to Iolani

Haley Thomas, Nanakuli — Racked up a season-high 11 kills with one block assist in a three-set win over Radford

Jorene Ulu, Waianae — Had a season-high 15 assists with an assist, dig and kill in a straight set win over Waialua 

Kalena Vaivai, King Kekaulike — Had five kills, one block, 12 assists and two digs in a straight set win over Baldwin

Kiana Vandaele, King Kekaulike — Had 10 digs and two aces in a straight set win over Baldwin

Ally Wada, Hawaii Baptist — Racked up 21 assists, six digs and two aces in a sweep of University Lab

Chevelle Wagner-Chun, Waianae — Had 14 digs and a kill in a straight set win over Waialua

FOOTBALL
Kesi Ah-Hoy, Kahuku — Scored on a 45-yard interception return in a win over Radford

Miki Ah You, Kahuku — Scored on a 50-yard interception return in a win over Radford

Noah Alejado, Saint Louis — Had eight receptions for 112 yards and two scores in a win over Punahou

Konapiliahi Andres, Leilehua — Threw for 228 yards and three touchdowns in a win over Kailua

Makoa Andres, Waiakea — Rushed for 106 yards and two touchdowns on eight carries in a win over Keeau

Caleb Apau, Waialua — Had five receptions for 122 yards and one score in a win over Kalaheo

Shaun Apiki, Damien — Caught three touchdown passes in a win over Pac-Five

Helam Baldomero, Iolani — Made a game-high 8 1/2 tackles in a loss to Kamehameha

Jaykob Cabunoc, Kamehameha — Had seven catches for 152 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Iolani

Jeff Chan, Punahou — Kicked three field goals and three PATs in a loss to Saint Louis

Spencer Cox, Pac-Five — Made a game-high 10 1/2 tackles in a loss to Damien

Tyson Creekmur, Kaiser — Had three tackles for loss and two sacks in a loss to Moanalua

Challen Faamatau, Farrington — Accounted for 192 total yards from scrimmage and five scores in a win over Castle

Marcus Faufata-Pedrina, Damien — Passed for 123 yards and five touchdowns on 11 of 19 passing in a win over Pac-Five

Dillon Gabriel, Mililani — Passed for 209 yards and three scores in a win over Nanakuli

Grey Ihu, Pac-Five — Caught five passes for 132 yards and two scores in a loss to Damien

Isaiah Jackson, Moanalua — Scored on a 44-yard kickoff return and made two interceptions in a win over Kaiser

Ryan Johnson, Pac-Five — Completed 23 of 39 passes for 351 yards and three scores in a loss to Damien

Travis Kaloa, Pac-Five — Caught seven passes for 111 yards in a loss to Damien

Kai Kaneshiro, Saint Louis — Had a fumble recovery and an interception in a win over Punahou

Nick Kapule, Punahou — Threw for 495 yards and five touchdowns in a loss to Saint Louis

Falcon Kaumatule, Punahou — Made two sacks in a loss to Saint Louis

Tosh Kekahuna-Kalawe, Saint Louis — Had eight receptions for 165 yards and two scores in a win over Punahou

Kailikea Kekuawela, KS-Hawaii — Had two interceptions and scored on a 55-yard pick-6 in a win over Honokaa

Lancen Kuni, Waialua — Caught a 7-yard touchdown, had an interception and kicked five PATs in a win over Kalaheo

Keala Martinson, Punahou — Caught seven passes for 107 yards in a loss to Saint Louis

Kanai Mauga, Waianae — Made two sacks in a win over Aiea

Stokes Nihipali-Botelho, Kahuku — Scored on a 31-yard interception return, scored on a 62-yard punt return and kicked seven PATs in a win over Radford

Gehrig Octavio, Waiakea — Rushed for 128 yards and four touchdowns on 11 carries in a win over Keeau

Kawai Phifer, Leilehua — Had four catches for 153 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Kailua

Kaleoaloha Piceno, Leilehua — Accounted for 164 total yards from scrimmage and two scores in a win over Kailua

Ryan Ramones, Moanalua — Had 10 receptions for 219 yards and four touchdowns in a win over Kaiser

Ethan James Ramos, KS-Hawaii — Recovered two fumbles and scored on a 21-yard fumble return in a win over Honokaa

Lanaki Renon, Waianae — Made two sacks in a win over Aiea

Rick Sandry, Saint Louis — Forced a fumble and had three pass breakups in a win over Punahou

Damien Santiago, Mililani — Kicked two field goals and four PATs in a win over Nanakuli

Ethan Takeyama, Punahou — Caught 10 passes for 189 yards and four scores in a loss to Saint Louis

Seth Tina-Sobarano, Kalani — Threw for 209 yards on 8 of 14 passing and accounted for four total scores in a win over Roosevelt

Tevesi Toia, Waialua — Threw for 207 yards and accounted for three total touchdowns in a win over Kalaheo

Jaren Ulu, Waianae — Passed for 218 yards and a touchdown in a win over Aiea

Elvis Vakapuna, Kahuku — Rushed for 92 yards and two touchdowns on just three carries in a win over Radford

Justice White, Damien — Rushed for 149 yards and a touchdown in a win over Pac-Five

Boogie Yam, Kamehameha — Threw for 225 yards on 12 of 19 passing and accounted for four total touchdowns in a win over Iolani

Alakai Yuen, Moanalua — Passed for 286 yards and four touchdowns and on 19 of 28 passing in  a win over Kaiser



Reach Michael Lasquero at [email protected].




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