The final day of the GPA Maximum Exposure Camp is here. Today’s session will end at noon. I got the feeling from organizers that they would’ve loved slightly longer hours on Saturday and today.
My No. 1 wish is OL vs. DL 1-on-1s. I hear there will be 1-on-1 pass pro work. Woohoooo!
1:45 p.m.
Camp is pau. A lot of great fun watching so many of the state’s top players – and up-and-coming youngsters- in a very competitive environment.
The skills guys went at it in 7-on-7 in a scoring format. Defense got 1 point for an offensive incompletion, 2 points for a pass deflection and 3 points for a pick.
The offense dominated at first. Three different QBS threw TD passes. Then MC Rich Miano adjusted some of the scoring format and the defense really seized the moment – carpe diem.
The lead went from 27-9 to 28-27 in favor of the ‘D’ quickly. (No jersey numbers, sorry, the DBs were fantastic. Tua Tagovailoa didn’t seem to be not the field much, but he stepped in and spiraled a beautiful TD pass. Ephraim Tuliloa fired two scoring strikes and the ‘O’ led by double digits. But the defense came up with stops, tips and a pick-6 to win 40-36.
(I’ll post the video later this week.)
That was followed by the Linemen Showcase. From ninth graders on up, they took the middle of the field and battled 1 on 1. This is very similar to the Brian Derby Camp vs. Fastletics battles, except this one includes helmets and pass, and is more gunfire pace, and of course, without the teaching aspect during competition.
Feisty at times, but overall just amazing skill level by so many linemen on both sides. Got that on video, too. I’d been looking forward to that all morning. Since yesterday actually.
After that, it was QBs vs. DBs. Really unfair with the likes of Milton, Tagovailoa and Tuliloa – the top three All-State passers in the state – right?
Well, yes and no. The DBs had their share of stellar defenders, like Kahuku’s Keala Samtiago. The guy who really stood out was Leilehua sophomore Charles Watson. He stands 6-2 and brings great speed, length and the very, very unique ability to change direction at full speed while playing the ball. He can twist and play the ball as well as any DB I’ve ever seen in 25 years of covering preps.
He made several sensational plays on his receivers – don’t forget how good the QBs were – and never seemed to tire.
Final play of the showcase, he covered Timoteo and didn’t allow a completion.
I would be very, very surprised if Watson didn’t start to get some feelers from recruiters after this. Remember, the Timoteo was the only non-Californian selected to top honors at the Nike Opening in Oakland last month. (Note: Timoteo is not at 100% due to a hamstring injury, but Watson was stout against everybody.)
The list of camp honorees was about as expected. I’ll post the official list when I get it. Kaiser OL Michael Eletise was named top player of the camp, just a few hours after receiving his 41st BCS offer (Alabama).
Fatu Su’a-Godinet (Kamehameha) was named top offensive player. Isaac Slade-Matautia (Saint Louis) was named top defensive player.
Other honorees off the top of my head: Tagovailoa and Milton at QB; Vavae Malepeai (Mililani) and Michael Feliciano Moanalua) at RB; Keoni-Kordell Makekau (‘Iolani) and Timoteo at WR; Julius-Pedro Muasau (Punahou) and Nate Herbig (Saint Louis) at OL.
Again, I’ll post the complete list when I receive it. Much more to post when I get a chance later, from photos to videos.
Epilogue
The official awards list.
Top performer
Michael Eletise, OL, Kaiser
Offensive MVP
Fatu Sua-Godinet, WR, Kamehameha
Defensive MVP
Isaac Slade-Matautia, LB, Saint Louis
Rich Miano DB MVP
Charles Watson, Leilehua
Akili Gray, Kamehameha
Tyson Alualu DL MVP
Alema Kapoi, Kamehameha
Aliki Vimahi, Kahuku
Hau‘oli Kikaha LB MVP
Jordan Iosefa, Saint Louis
Seyddrick Lakalaka, Punahou
Shawn Lauvao OL MVP
Nate Herbig, Saint Louis
Julius-Pedro Muasau, Punahou
Marcus Mariota QB MVP
Tua Tagovailoa, Saint Louis
McKenzie Milton, Mililani
Joey Iosefa RB MVP
Vavae Malepeai, Mililani
Michael Feliciano, Moanalua
Ashley Lelie WR MVP
Keoni-Kordell Makekau, ‘Iolani
Kalakaua Timoteo, Mililani
Fastest Man
Skills: Keoni-Kordell Makekau, ‘Iolani
Big Man Skills: Jordan Iosefa, Saint Louis
Big Man 250-plus: Lionel Tuiloma, Nanakuli
One of my favorite linemen of all time, Jesse Sapolu, was there yesterday. I’ve got a throwback UH Sapolu jersey that he signed some years back. He seemed to enjoy the OL-vs.-DL 1-on-1s as much as anybody.
Would have been real interesting if Mana Padello showed up on Sunday but due to having hyper extended his elbow he rested. Watching him on Friday and Saturday he was the most dominating Defensive player up until his injury. Im sure everybody saw what he did to Nate Herbig and that got a lot of the Olinemen worried.
If your son did not receive athletic accolades prior, this event will NOT help. The emphasis at this camp is to hype up those who already have offers on PIAA (This is probably 10% of the players). 90% of those parents who paid the entrance fee were just throwing away their money. PIAA & GPA made out though. You’ll get way better results going to the mainland camps like the All Poly Camp.