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Male Athlete of the Week: Kapena Texeira, Kapaa football
Confidence is not something Kapena Texeira lacks.

The senior defensive lineman made good on his promise to his coach Saturday, and in the process, led Kapaa to a momentous come-from-behind 15-12 win over Waimea to clinch its third consecutive Kauai Interscholastic Federation championship.

Texeira, a 5-foot-11, 250-pound senior, registered a game-high seven tackles, including three for losses. He had one sack and on two separate occasions Saturday, Texeira forced and recovered a Waimea fumble.

However, Texeira's exploits weren't exclusive to the defensive side of the ball against the Menehunes. The 2015 Second Team All-Hawaii defensive lineman also saw his share of snaps as a wildcat quarterback on offense.

"We only used that package with him at quarterback a little in our last game against Kauai High and we scored with it," Kapaa coach Phillip Rapozo said. "He just did what we asked him to do and we needed to get into that package with him as the quarterback and he did it, but it's not just him, it's the whole team, the whole package, but he stepped it up big time."

After falling behind 12-0 by the second quarter, Rapozo contemplated going from Kapaa's base four-wide, shotgun spread attack to more of a ball-control look.

"With all the emotions and how poorly we started off the game, we had to do things that we normally wouldn't do," Rapozo said. "And we did."

Texeira's first fumble recovery set-up his 4-yard touchdown run with 1:23 left in the first half.

"It was just a basic off-tackle, where he used his strength and kept pushing," Rapozo said. "It wasn't anything fancy. Just will and determination. In fact, he said, ‘I going get in the end zone, trust me,' and he did just that."

The score gave the Warriors some precious momentum going into the intermission.

Waimea's 12-7 lead held until nine second into the fourth quarter, when Texeira gave his team the lead for good on his 24-yard touchdown pass to Kurt Napoleon, the usual starting quarterback who was aligned at tight end on the play.

"Kurt made a catch that I don't think much kids would have made," Rapozo said. "He went up there and grabbed it and then pulled a couple of guys into the end zone, so we've got to give credit to him on that play, too. It was a great play by both guys."

Rapozo explained that Texeira was the one who sold him on the pass play.

"He said, ‘I can throw the ball,' " Rapozo said. "That's how we ended up throwing that pass. With Pena it's more of his confidence and his will, because I don't think he's in the best shape — not that he's in bad shape — but what powers him is his will and his confidence."

Texeira is a three-year starter on the defensive line for the Warriors, but has been utilized as a full back in goal line situations on offense as well.

"When you look at him, you don't realize how fast he is, but that's why he makes a lot of tackles for a defensive tackle," Rapozo said. "He gets by everybody because he's so fast. Most guys inside will post you up and bruise you up or use strength on you, but he has both assets — speed and strength — that's why he's a great defensive lineman."

The win was a much-needed one for the Warriors, who were coming off a shocking 20-17 loss to previously-winless Kauai seven days prior.

"Waimea is a tough team and they've been really good this season," Rapozo said. "They came prepared. We just came off that emotional loss so there was a lot of pressure on us. It was our first loss this season, the first time we had been scored on in two seasons, so we had to make the boys believe that this wasn't the end of the world and that it might just be a blessing, so to come back and win the game the way we did this past Saturday — I think we needed that. I think that will go far for us in the playoffs."

Kapaa reached the Division II state final last season, but fell to Radford, 30-16. Texeira and the fifth-ranked Warriors (7-1 overall, 5-1 KIF) are one of two teams (Lahainaluna) to have clinched a spot in next month's six-team D2 state tournament.

Female Athlete of the Week: Amryi Paris, Kapolei volleyball
Kapolei girls volleyball coach Naidah Gamurot figured it would only be a matter of time until Amryi Paris had a breakout performance.

The time came Thursday, in the quarterfinal round of the Oahu Interscholastic Association Division I tournament. Paris, a 5-foot-11 junior outside hitter/opposite, put down a match-high 21 kills to pace the Hurricanes to a four-set win over Farrington.

Paris, who also had a hand in four blocks and one service ace, obliterated her previous season-high mark of four kills.

"Her timing was there and the setter-connection was working really well at the Farrington game," said Gamurot, who noted that Paris had a phenomenal summer during club season but was struck with some bad luck just before the start of the prep season.

"This summer we went to Maui and she hit .495, but we came back and she sprained her ankle so that forced her back," Gamurot said. "She came back sooner than I would have thought — and maybe I should have made her sit out a little bit longer — but I think it affected her timing. Her body couldn't do what her brain was telling her she can do and her play took a dive for a little while, but she's 100 percent (healthy) now."

When healthy, Gamurot says Paris' athleticism is off the charts.

"She's really quick, her reaction time is good and that's something that stands out about her above everybody else," Gamurot said. "She's got good reach, too, and big hands, so she's able to touch a lot of balls and put up a big block. We tell the girls that a block is good, but so is a deflection because slowing down the ball helps."

Playing time has increased drastically for Paris, who was a seldom-used reserve on her first varsity season last year.

"She hardly played at all," Gamurot said. "She still had a lot of her skills to get together, but it was good motivation for the year because the girl did not like sitting on the bench, but she wasn't at the level of play at that point. We could see potential in her early on though. Last year was more about learning to play the varsity system. She had to get her skill level up, but she is really dedicated and that's why she's improved so much."

Despite her natural talent, it wasn't always an easy road for Paris.

"I was so excited for her last year when she wanted to go in and we would put her in, she goes in and she she blows it and we pull her out and it's like, ‘Yeah, come sit with me,' " Gamurot said. "I knew she was frustrated, but her attitude was still good. She wasn't that experienced, a lot of skill work was needed, but she was really driven to want to do this."

Against the Governors Thursday, the Hurricanes went as Paris did. She hit .095 in game 1, which Farrington won 27-25.

The tide turned in favor of Paris and Kapolei in games 2 and 3, when she hit .500 and .444, respectively.

"I was actually going to pull her out in that first set because I thought she was being inconsistent, but then the momentum starting going up in the second half (of game 1) and so I kept her in a little longer," Gamurot said. "By the time we got to the second set, she was pretty much on a roll from that point."

The Hurricanes won game 2, 25-13, and pulled ahead with a 25-22 win in game 3.

"I think they got more confident in our consistency because we did so many lineup changes all season, but this was the third match in a row that we kept the same lineup so our chemistry was stronger and by the second set we looked kind of like a well-oiled machine," Gamurot said. "They're very comfortable with it and the people coming in, our subs, are comfortable in their roles also."

Paris hit .286 in game 4, which Kapolei won 25-17, to close out the match.

The Hurricanes (10-2) were swept by unbeaten Kahuku, 25-14, 25-22, 25-19, in semifinal at McKinley Tuesday. They will play Moanalua in the OIA third-place match Wednesday at Farrington's Richard Kitamura Gymnasium.

BOWLING
Baron Arquero, Castle — Rolled a high single-game score of 253 in an OIA East boys' match

Jaysten Jones, Kapolei — Rolled a high single-game score of 269 and a three-game series of 698 in an OIA West boys' match

Gwen Maeha, Leilehua — Rolled a three-game series of 605 in an OIA West girls' match

Bradley Nakamura, Pearl City — Rolled a three-game series of 698 in an OIA West boys' match

Dylan John Peters, Kalaheo — Rolled a three-game series score of 641 in an OIA East boys' match

Tyra Sanchez, Moanalua — Rolled a high single-game score of 213 and a three-game series of 570 in an OIA East girls' match

Ashlyn Takamiya, Kapolei — Rolled a high single-game score of 225 in an OIA West girls' match

FOOTBALL
Pokii Adkins-Kupukaa, Campbell — Scored on a 65-yard interception return in a loss to Farrington

Ikaika Andaya, Kalani — Caught five passes for 110 yards and three touchdowns in a win over McKinley

Risein Campbell, Waialua — Rushed for 156 yards on 23 carries in a win over Pearl City

Judd Cockett, Punahou — Caught seven passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Kamehameha

Daniel Corpuz, Baldwin — Rushed for 99 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries in a win over Lahainaluna

Jayden Delatori, Kamehameha-Maui — Scored on a 34-yard fumble return in a loss to Maui

Challen Faamatau, Farrington — Rushed for 118 yards with two touchdowns on 28 carries and scored on a 90-yard kickoff return in a win over Campbell

Dillon Gabriel, Mililani — Threw for 315 yards and four touchdowns on 19-of-27 passing in a loss to Waianae

Jaemi Harris, Kalani — Rushed for 121 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries in a win over McKinley

Taputafoki Kailea, Saint Francis — Rushed for 124 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries in a win over Pac-Five

Kekaula Kaniho, Kahuku — Made three tackles, had two pass break-ups and intercepted two passes, including a 33-yard pick-6 in a win over Leilehua

Josh Kansana, Kapolei — Rushed for two touchdowns in a win over Moanalua

Nick Kapule, Punahou — Threw for 450 yards and five touchdowns on 21-of-33 passing in a win over Kamehameha

Hanisi Lotulelei, Maui — Rushed for 222 yards and four touchdowns on 23 carries in a win over Kamehameha-Maui

Sol-Jay Maiava, Kahuku — Threw a touchdown pass and rushed for another score in a win over Leilehua

Keala Martinson, Punahou — Caught three passes for 110 yards and a touchdown in a win over Kamehameha

Avery Miguel, Waimea — Scored on a 31-yard interception return in a loss to Kapaa

Kama Moore, Saint Louis — Scored on a 70-yard interception return in a win over Iolani

Howard Nahooikaika, Waialua — Rushed for 104 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries in a win over Pearl City

Enoch Nawahine, Punahou — Rushed for two touchdowns in a win over Kamehameha

Stokes Nihipali-Botelho, Kahuku — Scored on a 64-yard punt return in a win over Leilehua

Justus Paaluhi-Caulk, Saint Francis — Had two interceptions in a win over Pac-Five

Noah Purcell, Saint Louis — Scored on an 85-yard interception return in a win over Iolani

Rico Rosario, Waianae — Rushed for 190 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries in a win over Mililani

Jaymin Sarono, Kapolei — Caught 10 passes for 87 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Moanalua

Tyson Shimabukuro, Saint Francis — Rushed for 123 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries in a win over Saint Francis

Foi Sila, Farrington — Had two sacks in a win over Campbell

Dylan Silva, Saint Louis — Rushed for a touchdown and caught another score in a win over Iolani

Frank Steffany, McKinley — Rushed for 141 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries in a loss to Kalani

Taulia Tagovailoa, Kapolei — Threw for 324 yards and four touchdowns on 28-of-40 passing in a win over Moanalua

Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa, Kapolei — Had one sack and four passes broken up in a win over Moanalua

Seth Tina-Sobarano, Kalani — Threw three touchdown passes and rushed for another in a win over McKinley

Javen Towne, Waianae — Rushed for three touchdowns in a win over Mililani

Andrew Valladares, Mililani — Caught seven passes for 205 yards and four touchdowns in a loss to Waianae

Thomas Yam, Kamehameha — Rushed for three touchdowns in a loss to Punahou

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Jayleen Abregana, Kapolei — Had 15 kills in a four-set win over Farrington

Seizen Alameda, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Had 17 digs in a four-set win over Hilo

Kylie Alos, Mililani — Had 20 digs and two assists in a three-set win over Kalaheo

Tiani Bello, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Had 14 kills in a four-set win over Hilo

Hope Carter, Mililani — Had 36 assists, 12 digs, two kills, one solo block and an ace in a three-set win over Kalaheo

Brooke Clymer, Pearl City — Had 15 digs, one kill and an ace in a three-set loss to Farrington

Chandler Cowell, King Kekaulike — Had 12 kills and two digs in a three-set win over Maui

Hula Crisostomo, Moanalua — Had 22 digs and an assist in a three-set win over Kailua

Alanika Danielson, Mililani — Had 14 digs,eight kills, three aces, one assist and a block assist in a three-set win over Kaleheo

Emily Dulaney, Moanalua — Had 21 digs, six kills and two aces in a three-set win over Kailua

Rhyenne Filisi, Maryknoll — Had 13 kills, six total blocks and four digs in a five-set loss to Kamehameha

Jhenna Gabriel, Maryknoll — Had 53 assists, 12 digs, six kills, three block assists and two aces in a five-set loss to Kamehameha

Kiari Gier, Maryknoll — Had 23 digs, four assists and an ace in a five-set loss to Kamehameha

Phoebe Grace, Kahuku — Had 12 kills, two digs, five aces and two block assists in a three-set win over Leilehua

Halia Hogan, Iolani — Had 12 kills, seven block assists, four digs and an assist in a four-set win over Punahou

Tyra Johnson-Oshiro, Pearl City — Had 15 digs in a three-set loss to Farrington

Saige Kaahaina-Torres, Iolani — Had 32 kills, 17 digs, two aces and four total blocks in a four-set win over Punahou and had 11 kills, 16 digs and one ace in a three-set win over Mid-Pacific

Dayna Kahanu, Farrington — Had 10 kills and 24 digs in a three-set win over Pearl City

Alexis Klimpi, Kalaheo — Had 17 digs in a three-set loss to Mililani

Telly Koon, Christian Liberty — Had 24 kills, three aces and a block assist in a four-set win over Ehunui and had 19 kills in a three-set win over Parker

Riley Lynch, Kalaheo — Had 31 assists, five digs and three kills in a three-set win over Campbell

Syenna Masaki, Kalaheo — Had 22 kills, seven digs, four assists and a block assist in a three-set win over Campbell and had 18 digs and three kills in a three-set loss to Mililani

Natasha McClendon, Maryknoll — Had 23 kills, five digs, one block assists, one ace and an assist in a five-set loss to Kamehameha

Kacie Miyama, Iolani — Had 17 digs in a four-set win over Punahou

ShaRae Niu, Kahuku — Had 36 assists, eight digs and a kill in a three-set win over Leilehua

Ana Ogilvie, Iolani — Had 47 assists, 28 digs, two block assists, one kill and an ace in a four-set win over Punahou and had 20 digs, 18 assists, one solo block and an ace in a three-set win over Mid-Pacific

Elena Ogilvie, Iolani — Had 11 kills, 25 digs, three total blocks, two aces and an assist in a four-set win over Punahou

Ashley Pawlak, Mililani — Had 15 kills, 17 digs, two assists, one block assist and an ace in a three-set win over Kalaheo

Mary Pratt, Christian Liberty — Had 19 digs and two aces in a four-set win over Ehunui

Jasmine Santos, Farrington — Had 16 digs and an assist in a three-set win over Pearl City

Amber Tai, Kailua — Had 19 kills, three total blocks and an ace in a four-set win over Aiea

Iwalani Teixeira, Pearl City — Had 20 digs, six kills, three total blocks and one assist in a three-set loss to Farrington

Cheyenne Teo, Kahuku — Had 12 kills, seven digs, one ace and an assist in a three-set win over Leilehua

Moana Tootoo, Maryknoll — Had 20 digs, 11 kills, one block assists, one ace an an assist in a five-set loss to Kamehameha

Olivia Transfiguracion, Kapolei — Had 48 assists and two kills in a four-set win over Farrington

Kiana Troy, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Had 16 digs and four aces in a four-set win over Hilo

Dakota Viena, Maryknoll — Had 13 kills in a five-set loss to Kamehameha

Violet Rae Williams, Farrington — Had 14 digs, eight kills and two aces in a three-set win over Pearl City

Sammie Worley, Iolani — Had 21 digs, five assists, one kill and an ace in a four-set win over Punahou

Kailee Yoshimura, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Had 15 kills in a four-set win over Hilo

Sirinya Yothawang, King Kekaulike — Had 18 digs and an ace in a three-set win over Maui