With the First Hawaiian Bank / HHSAA state football championships coming up on Friday, let’s play a little bit of extreme fantasy football.
The difference in this, however, is that is is completely and utterly subjective from the beginning to the end.
The big game got us to thinking, what would a matchup of all-time teams for Kahuku and Saint Louis look like? What if they all gathered together in their prime, took over the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Park and played a game?
First of all, legends like Ducky Swan (First-team ILH from 1922-24) and Louis Santiago (first team OIA 1957-59) would not recognize the game and would probably be mistaken for ball boys. Size matters these days, but Squirmin’ Herman Wedemeyer probably could still excel.
Anyway, here is the completely subjective all time teams for each school. It is all a matter of opinion, instead of blasting the selections try to comment below which team would win this fracas. Kahuku is awash in great defensive backs, but could they contain Welch, Ornellas and Apuna? Could anyone?
Are Joe Siofele, Ikaika Curnan and Peter Salavea stout enough to stop Mark Atuaia and Aofaga Wily?
Both teams are running split backs on offense and a 4-3 on defense. If you must criticize the highly subjective selections, remember that for every player you want to add you must take another out. Selections were made with all-state selections taking precedence in years there were all-state teams, followed by all-league selections and personal preference as a tiebreaker.
Let’s play ball. Who do you have?
Saint Louis
QB: Timmy Chang, 98-99
RB: Pesefea Fiaseu, 99-00
RB: Herman Wedemeyer, 41-42
REC: Gerald Welch, 97-99
REC: George Ornellas, 93-94
REC: Wayne Apuna, 77-78
OL: Tasi Malepeai, 90-91
OL: Dominic Raiola, 95-96
OL: Barney Joy, 25-27
OL: Olin Kreutz, 93-94
OL: Roy Maafala, 89-90
DL: Tolifili Liufau, 01-02
DL: Tony Tata, 96-97
DL: Wilson Afoa, 02
DL: Silila Malepeai, 88-89
LB: Joe Siofele, 97-98
LB: Ikaika Curnan, 99-00
LB: Peter Salavea, 93-94
DB: Ducky Swan, 22-24
DB: Wes Tufaga, 95-96
DB: Una Latu, 98-99
DB: Jonah Lakatani, 01-02
Toughest choices were at second running back where Ed Kini and Neal Blaisdell were strong. Other tough choices were Chang over Darnell Arceneaux, not being able to squeeze Micah Matsuzaki in at a loaded receiver corps, Roy Maafala over Fred Ulu Perry (if only FUP had played in states), Silila Malepeai over Vavae Tata (they are essentially the same guy), and Peter Salavea over Timo Paepule. Wayne Lewis was a tough snub at defensive back and Tyson Alualu was a force at D-Line.
Kahuku
QB: Inoke Funaki, 00-01
RB: Mark Atuaia, 89-90
RB: Aofaga Wily, 10-12
REC: Itula Mili, 89-90
REC: Spencer Hafoka, 03-04
REC: Louis Santiago, 57-59
OL: Benji Kemoeatu, 06-07
OL: Famika Anae, 49-50
OL: John Waa, 10-12
OL: Wayne Fonoimoana, 71-72
OL: Jeremy Perry, 03
DL: Chris Kemoeatu, 00
DL: Jonathan Mapu, 99-01
DL: Wayde Lindsey, 68-69
DL: Kaniela Tuipolotu, 05-06
LB: Hauoli Jamora, 09
LB: Ben Mamea, 09-10
LB: Kautai Olevao, 93-94
DB: Shiloah Teo, 06-07
DB: Al Afalava, 03-04
DB: Kawe Johnson, 11-12
DB: Stevie Laulu, 93-94
Apologies to Chris Naeole, Walter Santiago and Walker Vave in particular. It hurts that my favorite offensive player in Hawaii high school history, Mulivai Pula, didn’t make it, maybe he can be the kick returner.
I call this leading with my chin. Paul Honda calls it opening Pandora’s Box. Fire away.
Fletcher, this is taking a different road from the original intent of the article, but what the heck, it’s meant to enlighten those young bucks who only know the run and shoot, haha. I’m an old ILH guy, back in the day when the ILH had 10 teams. Back up at Kalaepohaku, there were many guys who fit the bill of who was who, way back when before the Cal Lee era (no disrespect intended.) Kaipo, Hal Stringert, Doug Won, George Lindsey, Tony Raiola (Dominic’s dad), Gary Campbell, were all puppies during the time when the Crusader run in the late 60’s was going on. No one mentioned Sandy Obra (the captain of the ’66 team that brought back the crown to Kalaepohaku after a 17 year absence). But as an fyi, he was unanimous pick for linebacker honors on both papers that year. In fact, the Advertiser picked him Lineman of the Year. He was the bull of the locker room and on the field, at 5’8″, 185 lbs. But it is around him who the D was built, and the tone he and the seniors of that team set the bar up high. Anyway,if Herman Wedemeyer is also mentioned in this article, then guys like Sandy also need recognition. It is the era of the late 60s that SLH football became recognized and respected, as evidenced by back to back ILH titles in ’66 and ’67. The lLH eventually folded after the ’69 season, but the bar was set for Kaipo et al to keep the tradition alive. Pau. Have a good Thanksgiving all.
Wow….
I remember coach Obra up at Kam when we won JV champs in 1990. Real motivator, run circles around you kinda guy.
Yep, Happy turkey day. Topic is the “Saints” all time players (oh) … And Kahuku.
Nice hearing a little background of Saints football (60’s -70’s). Can’t beat the legendary stories of the Blue and Red.
Actually graduated from Kaiser (eh no laugh), but heard great stories of the Crusader past from dad, uncles etc.
3 Saints…. 1-2-3 Saints Saints Saints! Haha
What about my boy Tupu Alualu?
Aloha Friday
Tupu, from the late 80’s. Definitely the 2cnd best back outta St. Louis. Those teams had a mystique, and would win games before the first kickoff even started.
Always liked O-lineman from Kahuku. From my eyes top 5 would go Reed, Brown, Naeole, Perry, Kemoeatu.
Adios Amigo