NERDPOD: Receivers
The Star-Advertiser and Hawaii Prep World’s Paul Honda breaks down some of the best pass catchers in the state.
Titus Mokiao-Atimalala, Campbell
Measurables: 6-1, 170, Jr.
Crunch this: 8 games — Rec 53-931, 16 TDs
Yards per reception: 17.6
Receiving yards per game: 116.4
Game by game / Passcode (statistical values):
$Mililani (Aug. 9) Rec 5-75, 2 TD ¥27.5 + $5.0 = ¥$32.5
@ Farrington (Aug. 15) Rec 7-98, 2 TD ¥28.8 = ¥28.8
$Saint Louis (Aug. 23) Rec 9-89, 3 TD ¥35.9 + $5.0 = ¥$40.9
@ $Kahuku (Aug. 31) Rec 6-51, TD ¥17.1 + $5.0 = ¥$22.1
O’Connor (Ariz.) (Sept. 5) Rec 6-150, 3 TD ¥42.0 = ¥42.0
$Kapolei (Sept. 13) Rec 6-81, 2 TD ¥26.1 + $5.0 = ¥$31.1
$Waianae (Sept. 21) Rec 6-141, 3 TD ¥39.1 + $5.0 = ¥$44.1
@Punahou (Sept. 28) Rec 8-142 ¥23.2 + $5.0 = ¥$28.2
@ $Kamehameha (Oct. 12)
To date: ¥239.7 + $30.0 / ¥$269.7 (¥$33.7 per gm)
The skinny: First, his season totals.
2017 (Kapolei): 8 gm, 33-394, 5 TD
2018 (Campbell): 13 gm, 75-1,385, 14 TD
> 5.8 rpg, 106.5 jpg, 1.1 TD pg
2019 (Campbell): 8 gm, 53-931, 16 TD
> 6.6 rpg 116.4 ypg, 2.0 TD pg
Total: 29 gm, 161-2,710, 35 TD
What the whaaaaa… He is on a pace that would produce more receptions and yardage than his amazing 2018 season, if Campbell can go deep into the postseason, and he has already surpassed the TD number (which doesn’t include two pick-6s. He is already fourth on the all-time receiving yardage list — behind Kanawai Noa (3,510), Gerald Welch (3,490) and Miah Ostrowski (3,220). He still has at least two more games this season and a full senior year ahead. The 2018 yardage sum ranked fourth all-time behind Welch (1,689), London Amorin (1,648) and Britt Komine (1,623). With 142 receiving yards against Punahou, he just passed Robby Toma, Kalakaua Timoteo, Ostrowski and Noa on the single-season ledger. If he is healthy and finishes this season with two more games, and plays in 10 more next year, he will pass Noa by game No. 5 next year. Based on this year’s average yards per game, he could finish his career with more than 4,000 receiving yards.
The value of some players goes well beyond numbers, particularly football. Titus (sorry, I’m going to go by first name) is an unselfish contributor to the Sabers, playing defensive back in addition to practically every snap on offense. You think he’d be winded by the second half, but no. That’s when he is as dangerous as ever, and tiring defensive backs up and down Campbell’s schedule have paid for his endurance. I have not seen Campbell play since the wild win over Sandra Day O’Connor, when Titus also scored TDs on two of his three INTs. That’s five TDs in one game, and the first time I’d seen a 3-TD-reception-2-pick-6s performance in nearly 30 years of covering prep football.
The strength of the Open Division makes his accomplishments — and the trust of QB Blaine Hipa, OC Jaymason Lee and HC Darren Johnson more impressive. There will always be coaches and systems that spread the ball out, wisely, and young QBs — Hipa is only a sophomore — often buy the bluff, or at least respect the decoy coverage, and make the next read. Yet, Titus has produced big in every game, including the 8-142 game against No. 2 Punahou, which is easily one of the top 3 defensive units in the state. Mililani is no pushover, and Titus racked up 5-179 with two TDs. He is the only receiver who has scored three TDs on nationally-ranked Saint Louis. Sometimes, Hipa simply gives his teammate a lot of distance and air with the ball, and it has worked out quite well in their first full season together as the state’s most productive bomb squad.
When every defense knows what you do, and still can’t shut you down, something surreal is going on. Kahuku came closest, limiting Titus to 6-51, one TD. Kamehameha’s athletic, tough defensive crew gets a shot at Campbell and Titus this weekend.
X factor: At this point, Titus has been relatively healthy, but a two-week break wouldn’t hurt. The game with Kamehameha has no bearing on Campbell’s place in the OIA Open standings, but I would still be shocked if he and his fellow starters didn’t play a full load of snaps. I’d understand, though, if he and some of his starters got some valuable rest and minimized risk of injury.
Legend: Rushing/Receiving
¥ point values per game
1 rushing yard = .1 point
Minus-1 rushing yard = -.1 point
100 rushing yards +1 pt
150 rushing yards +2 pts
200 rushing yards +3 pts
100 receiving yards +1 pt
150 receiving yards +2 pts
200 receiving yards +3 pts
1 reception +1 pt
1 receiving yard +.1 pt
TD = 6 pts
$ Top 10 opponent
Got to say the same, Titus is good and versatile. But, against SL, two of his three tds were in the 4th quarter, one with 30 seconds left, against SL reserves.
Objective the Hater,
This is the best two way player in the state (period)
He’s only a Junior! If he was on STL Sykes or Wilson would be 2nd string. He kills it against double teams ALL year. STL WR’s have never seen a double team because of their all-star team.
Object that!!
2 years against Hawaii’s top 10 teams in the state. No disrespect to the other receivers but they had easier schedule with maybe 2-3 hard knock teams. The Open division is no joke and D1 stats should also recognize that they dont play any top 10 teams in the state. How can you say a D1 running back or receiver are breaking records when they’re playing 2nd tier teams. Gotta give credit where credit is due, Titus is hand down the Best 2 way player in the state tight now…
I love Titus and the way he plays… but better than Sykes(UCLA) & Wilson (Michigan)? Wow that’s a big time statement. However I do believe he’s the best two way player we got in HI. I’m not putting him above those two!
Tough lost for Campbell because of injury. Realistically Poki’i Adkins-Kupuka’a is the best 2 way player in the state. Prayers for this young man like to see him play this year.