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AIEA NA ALII
>> 2015 record and finish: 1-7 (1-6 OIA Blue); did not qualify for OIA D-I playoffs
>> Number of returning starters: 16 (8 offense, 8 defense)
>> Number of returning seniors: 19
>> Number of starters lost to graduation: 9
>> Number of seniors lost to graduation: 15
>> Honolulu Star-Advertiser All-State selections lost to graduation: None
>> Honolulu Star-Advertiser All-State selections returning: None
>> OIA Blue All-Stars lost to graduation: Ramsey Aviu (second-team OL), Shiloh Tapasa (second-team DL)
>> OIA Blue All-Stars returning: Gage Asing (first-team DB)
>> Among 2016 key offensive returnees: Kobe Kato (QB, Sr.), Kame Kim Choy-Keb Ah Lo (SE, Sr.), Jayden Chaviera (SE, Sr.), Sam Okamoto (SB, Jr.), Ty Matsunami (SB, Jr.)
>> Among 2016 key defensive returnees: Gage Asing (FS, Sr.), Kalai Asing (DT, Sr.), Noah Taiese (DB, Sr.), Bronson Nekomoto (DB, Sr.), Brian Taamalemalo-Nasau (DE, Sr.)
>> Na Alii with Division I FBS college offers: None
>> All-time state championships: 1 (2003, D-II)
>> All-time Prep Bowl era (1973 to 1998) championships: None
>> All-time OIA championships: 1 (2003, D-II)
>> 2016 conference: OIA Blue (D-I)
Head coach WENDELL SAY on Na Alii’s outlook for 2016:
“I’m optimistic. I’m always optimistic. I’m excited about this year. We have a good group of kids coming back and the new realignment gives us a little different look in our division, Kahuku and Waianae are the top dogs in the Blue and everybody else is playing for position. I like what I see and I think we can surprise some people. Staying healthy will be important. Our school is not very big in numbers, and numbers on the team has shrunk a little bit. Talent-wise, I’m excited about what we have and I think we’ll do real well.
“We have a much more experienced team. A lot of sophomores have one year of playing experience or starting experience. And we have a lot of juniors who are going to be seniors. We’re going on a trip (Sept. 2, to Gresham Ore., to play Centennial) and believe that will be a big plus with bonding and bring our team together. As far as experience and athleticism, I think we can do well. These younger kids will be a year older and won’t be thinking like younger kids anymore. They’ll play with more confidence.
“If you look at our record from last year, we didn’t do too well in that regard. But every game was close. Farrington, Kailua, Moanalua, Campbell — everybody had to come back to beat us, and we ended up giving games away. After that experience last year, we’ll be out to finish the job this year.”
2016 Aiea football schedule
Check here for the latest schedule updates: http://bit.ly/2958rWe
>> Aug. 5: Kailua (nonleague)
>> Aug. 12: at Nanakuli
>> Aug. 19: at Kahuku
>> Aug. 26: Campbell
>> Sept. 2: at Centennial (nonleague, Gresham, Ore.)
>> Sept. 9: Waianae
>> Sept. 16: at Kaiser
>> Sept. 23: Radford
>> Sept. 30: at Moanalua
2016 Aiea varsity football staff
>> Head coach: Wendell Say (26th season, 122-115-1)
>> Defensive coordinator: Mika Liilii
>> Linebackers: Chris Taiese
>> Defensive backs: Samson Chung
>> Defensive backs: Al Sefronio
>> Linebackers: Ben Morn
>> Offensive coordinator: Al Viloria
>> Offensive line: Ed Kama
>> Offensive line: Clint Holiona
>> Receivers: Al Disjato
>> Running backs: Donte Jones
>> Video: Cliff Fukuda
>> TM coordinator: Leona Kaapuni
11 coaches. Wow. When I played in the 1970s, we had 5 coaches total on the varsity team. A head coach who oversaw everything, another who coached backs, QB and receivers. A O LIne coach. A DL/LB coach and a DB coach. That was it.
The game has changed a lot since the 70s my bradah…
Mahatma Gandhi, Aiea needs coaching help! 11 coaches are JV & varsity combined……