Hawaii Prep World will be releasing early summer previews of all 29 Oahu varsity football teams in advance of the 2017 season that kicks off in early August.
FOURTH IN A SERIES
KAIMUKI BULLDOGS
>> 2016 record and finish: 5-4 (5-2 OIA D-II); lost 19-14 in the first round of the OIA D-II playoffs
>> Number of returning starters: 9 offense, 9 defense
>> Number of returning seniors: 7 offense, 7 defense
>> Number of starters lost to graduation: 7
>> Number of seniors lost to graduation: 14
>> Honolulu Star-Advertiser All-State selections lost to graduation: None
>> Honolulu Star-Advertiser All-State selections returning: None
>> Among 2017 key offensive returnees: Jordan Solomon, Jr., QB, 6-0, 180; Suliveti Nisa, Sr., OL, 6-3, 318; Sama Paama, Jr., OL, 6-4, 325; Ieke Seei-Cleveland, Sr., RB, 5-11, 215; Hunter Mulu, Jr., OL, 6-1, 225.
>> Among 2017 key defensive returnees: Mana Mahiai, Sr., LB, 5-10, 163; Torey Faimealelei, Sr., DE, 6-3, 225; Saburban Castillo, Sr., S, 5-10, 225; Elijah Lemalu, Jr., LB, 5-8, 147.
>> Bulldogs with Division I FBS college offers: Sama Paama (University of Hawaii)
>> All-time state championships: None
>> All-time Prep Bowl (1973-1998) championships: None
>> All-time OIA championships: 2 (both D-II — 2007, 2010)
>> 2017 conference: OIA D-II
>> 2017 state tournament declaration: D-II
Head coach DAVID TAUTOFI on the Bulldogs’ outlook for 2017:
“Last year, I think our boys achieved a lot. Aside from losing injured running back Billy Masima and probably the best defensive player in the state in D-II, Hyle Viela, who we released from the team which put a wrench in it for us, we had a successful season. The underclassmen got better and better every game.
“We got ourselves in position in the last two games of the season, fighting for a playoff spot. We jumped from No. 4 to No. 2 going into playoffs and that was a good feeling for us.
“Going from last year to this year, I think this will be our best season yet. For the first time in a long time, our strength is on the O and D lines. Quarteback Jordan Solomon, the brother of former Bishop Gorman QB Anu Solomon, who transferred over to Baylor from Arizona this year, returns. Jordan came from the mainland a month before our season and did an excellent job coming in in that situation. Coming in this year, he is definitely going to be key. Jordan had two games where he was perfect. Seventeen-for-17 in one game and 13-for-13 in the other, and he was only a sophomore. What’s fascinating about him is not just his arm, but he’s also the fastest on the team and we’ve got speedsters on the team. There’s always things to tighten up.
“We’ve got a sophomore kid, a receiver, 6-4, Jacob Taualupe. UH is looking at him. If he is good this year, he will get scholarship offers. Chris Naeole (UH assistant) offered a full ride to our lineman, a junior, Sama Paama.
“We definitely expect to compete. Getting back to where we were is a goal. We were one game away from the OIA championship. This year, it looks good for us. We have that potential and it’s a matter of what we build in the next couple of months. On varsity, we have about around 41 players, and about 27 on JV. I’m a visionary guy, striving for big things and to do that you have to take small steps. As a coach, I’m trying to bring out the most heart and the best effort in the players. That’s what I kind of pride myself on as a coach. These guys play their hearts out. This is the third year in the making of everything we’re trying to implement. We’ve seen some fruit and that’s a huge plus.”
2017 Kaimuki football schedule
Subject to change. Click here for the latest schedule updates.
Thursday, July 27
>> Kaiser at Kaimuki (scrimmage)
Saturday, July 29
>> Kaimuki at Saint Louis, 4 p.m. (scrimmage)
Saturday, Aug. 26
>> Kaimuki at ‘Iolani (nonleague, Father Bray Classic)
Saturday, Aug. 12
>> Waialua vs. Kaimuki, at Skippa Diaz Stadium
Saturday, Aug. 19
>> Kalani vs. Kaimuki, at Skippa Diaz Stadium
Friday, Sept. 1
>> Kaimuki at Roosevelt
Friday, Sept. 8
>> Kaimuki vs. McKinley, at Ticky Vasconcellos Stadium
Saturday, Sept. 16
>> Pearl City vs. Kaimuki, at Skippa Diaz Stadium
Saturday, Sept. 30
>> Waipahu vs. Kaimuki, at Skippa Diaz Stadium
Friday, Oct. 6
>> Kalaheo vs. Kaimuki, at Skippa Diaz Stadium
2017 Kaimuki varsity football staff
>> Head coach and special teams: David Tautofi (12-9, third season)
>> Offensive coordinator: Joe Charles
>> Defensive coordinator: Daniel Tautofi
>> Offensive line: Jamar Chandler
>> Defensive line: Darrell Tautofi
>> Running backs: Jeremy Chong
>> Specialists: Moses RIngwood
>> Assistant: Matt Loa
>> Assistant: Viliami Fonokalafi
>> Assistant: Siaosi Halaapiapi
>> Assistant: Clinton Burns
>> Assistant: Alike Mole
>> Assistant: Drew Henmi
>> JV head coach: Chris Wilhelm
COMMENTS