SPRING-ing into football season: ‘Iolani Raiders

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‘IOLANI RAIDERS

>> 2015 record and finish: 2-7 (0-6 ILH D-I); did not qualify for ILH D-I playoffs
>> Number of returning starters: 10 (4 offense, 6 defense)
>> Number of returning seniors: 23
>> Number of starters lost to graduation: 12
>> Number of seniors lost to graduation: 12
>> Honolulu Star-Advertiser All-State selections lost to graduation: Keoni-Kordell Makekau (first-team REC), Joshua Hauanio (third-team OL), Christian Naeole (third-team DE)
>> Honolulu Star-Advertiser All-State selections returning: None
>> ILH D-I All-Stars lost to graduation: Devin Ide (first-team OL), Keoni-Kordell-Makekau (first-team REC and second-team PK), Christian Naeole (first-team DL), Melvin Hoomanawanui (first-team LB), Joshua Hauanio (second-team OL), Taaga Tuulima (second-team OL), Nicholas Kennedy (second-team REC), Kevin Matsuoka (second-team DB)
>> ILH D-I All-Stars returning: KJ Pascua (first-team RB), Tai-John Mizutani (first-team QB), Helam Baldomero (first-team DB), Jonah Buchanan (second-team DL)
>> Among 2016 key offensive returnees: Tai-John Mizutani (QB, Jr.), KJ Pascua (RB, Sr.), Sai Fautanu (OL, Sr.), Josiah Wataru (OL, Sr.), Brent Nagami (WR, Sr.)
>> Among 2016 key defensive returnees: Jonah Buchanan (DL, Sr.), Cameron Chang (DL, Sr.), Helam Baldomero (FS, Sr.), Makana Laboy (DB, Sr.), Jordan Iwasaki (LB, Jr.)
>> Raiders with Division I FBS college offers: None
>> All-time state championships: 8 (all in D-II — 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014)
>> All-time Prep Bowl (1973-1998) championships: 1 co-title (1980, with Waianae)
>> All-time ILH championships: 17 (6 in D-I — 1939, 1940, 1950, 1968, 1972, 1980; 11 in D-II — 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014)
>> 2016 conference: ILH D-I

Head coach WENDELL LOOK on the Raiders’ outlook for 2016:

“This past season kind of set foundation for us competing at the Division I level. We were fortunate with this group that we did have some physical size and that was a key. This year, kids wanted to give it another go in Division I, the difference being this year, we do have a good core of returning players. A lot of them are going to be first-time starters and physical size is back (down) to normal.

“It’s hard to say (about the outlook for the fall). We haven’t done too much on the field. The kids are lifting and conditioning, but that’s about it. They have a good attitude and are working hard, which is always a good sign. Applying all of the offseason work to football skills and fundamentals and those type of things will be what we’re trying to do.

“(Winning that first league game in D-I), that’s always been the goal. That was the goal last year. You can’t win the championship if you don’t win the first game. That’s the first step there. We want to vie and compete for a championship, but they know they need to win the first game. That’s their goal.

“Last year, the kids learned they gotta play 48 minutes. We played three quarters, sometimes three and a half and sometimes we didn’t play at all. The competition level is at the best in Division I, so you can’t take plays off. A mistake here or dropped pass there or a mis-tackle, then bad things are going to happen and it’s magnified when you play at this level.”

2016 ‘Iolani football preseason schedule
Check here for the latest schedule updates: http://bit.ly/2958rWe
>> July 30: at Waianae (scrimmage only)
>> Aug. 6: vs. Radford, at Aiea High field
>> Aug. 20: Waimea
>> Aug 27: La Jolla Country Day School (San Diego) — Father Bray Classic
>> Sept. 2: vs. Saint Louis,at Aloha Stadium
>> Sept. 10: at Kamehameha
>> Sept. 17: Punahou
>> Sept. 23: Saint Louis
>> Sept. 30: vs. Kamehameha
>> Oct. 7: at Punahou

2016 ‘Iolani varsity football staff
>> Head coach: Wendell Look (173-121-2, 26th season)
>> Defensive coordinator: Delbert Tengan
>> Linebackers: Malo Torres
>> Defensive backs: Gary Kaneshiro
>> Defensive line: Kevin Manuel
>> Defensive line: Mike Lafaele
>> Special teams: Myles Arakawa
>> Offensive coordinator and running backs: Sam Cropsey
>> Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks: Joel Lane
>> Offensive line: DJ Tano
>> Slotbacks: Tonee Suetsugu
>> Wide receivers: Armand Chong
>> Strength and conditioning: Dominic Ahuna