The call him a beast in the weight room.
Trech Kekahuna considers it his second home. At 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds, the Saint Louis slotback benches 315 pounds and squats 465. He doesn’t his vertical leap, but he can dunk a basketball.
Kekahuna, who also runs a 4.5 in the 40-yard dash, is stoked about his latest scholarship offer — from Nevada. Former Saint Louis standout Anthony Arceneaux is an assistant coach there. So is Nate Costa, who coached Marcus Mariota and Jeremiah Masoli during his time at Oregon.
“He’s a quarterbacks coach and we did a workout on the field (at Saint Louis). Coach told Anthony about me and he called me,” Kekahuna said.
Kekahuna was voted by coaches and media to the Star-Advertiser All-State team after a scintillating junior season. He hauled in 62 passes for 761 yards and three TDs as the top receiver for ILH champion Saint Louis. Kekahuna was also a dangerous return man.
A coaching change at Nevada means the Wolfpack may be searching for shifty playmakers rather than the usual tall, third-down target type pass catchers of recent years. Beyond that, Kekahuna’s familiarity with quarterback AJ Bianco is a major plus. Bianco, a senior, committed to Nevada last week.
“Coach Nate said they would use me as a slotback, tailback sometimes, and wide receiver. Knowing AJ is there, they know the chemistry is there. It’s been clicking ever since sophomore year when I went up to varsity. We played Pylon together. We didn’t get to showcase it a lot during COVID, but we got to show it this year,” Kekahuna said. “If there’s an open hole behind the mike ‘backer, AJ knows I’ll be there.”
His other FBS offers are from Boise State and Hawaii. A big brand name of a school or conference, Kekahuna noted, isn’t a priority.
“I try to keep in touch with them,” he said. “It’s just how I fit academically and in football.”
Kekahuna has a 3.3 grade-point average.
Hawaii has a Saint Louis connection with its recently hired head coach.
“I feel like coach Timmy Chang can really turn this program around. It was really down the past two years. That would be nice to stay home and play in front of my parents, (but) they want me to explore the world,” Kekahuna said.
Playing time is a definite factor.
“That’s what coach Arceneaux said. Once you come in you’ll be flying with us for sure,” he said.
Kekahuna isn’t playing any winter sports. He’s keeping an eye on summer plans.
“I’m going to college camps, Wisconsin. The coaches really like me over there. I went on an unofficial visit during that six-week break we had after the ILH championship around Nov. 20. I went with my mom (Chasity Kalawe),” he said.
There’s also the new staff at Arizona, where Saint Louis senior Jonah Savaiinaea will be. He signed with the Wildcats last month.
“Jonah told me to come to the Arizona camp. One of their coaches stays in touch with me. I think it’s set. The head coach came to Saint Louis, and I met him,” Kekahuna said.
Washington State and UNLV camps are also on his radar.
“I’m trying to hit four camps,” he said.
With an uncanny ability to make plays and elude solo tacklers, Kekahuna’s phone could be busy for the next year or so.
“I’ve just got to keep praying. It always would be nice if coaches text,” he said.
Trech Kekahuna’s lockdown staples
Top 3 shows/movies
1. “Cars 3”
2. “The Sandlot”
3. “Teen Titans Go”
Top 3 food/snack/drink
1. Mom’s musubi
2. Sweet tea
3. Reece’s peanut butter cups
Top 3 music artists
1. NBA YoungBoy
2. Rod Wave
3. No Cap
Favorite team and athlete: Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James
Favorite class and teacher: Spanish, Mrs. Perez
Funniest teammate: “They say it’s me.”
Smartest teammate: AJ Bianco
Hidden talent: “I am good at Portuguese horse shoes.”
Bucket list
> Meet NBA YoungBoy
> Go around the world
> Go to the moon
Time machine
“I would go back in time when I was 6-8 and visit my grandma (Collette Nohea Kalawe) and hug her and say I love her so much.”
Shout outs
“I would like to shoutout my Grandma up in heaven because I know she’s watching down on me. I’d like to shout out my papa Bobby. Shout out to my mom and dad (Alan) for helping to get where I am today. Shout out my brother Tosh and two sisters Te’a and Theron for helping be the man I am today and I like to shout out my Uncle Les (Kekahuna) and Nana for always loving me and supporting me.”
Kid was a beast when he played for Laie Park Raiders… Good to see all him and his families hard work paying off.
Hi I just wanted to make a correction on Trechs info!! It’s his mama Collette Nohea Kalawe not Maydell Kekahuna !!! Thank you
Mahalo!
Got a feeling many will decommit from UH.