Hawaii Prep World will be releasing summer previews of all 29 Oahu varsity football teams in advance of the 2017 season that kicks off in early August.
19TH IN A SERIES
PUNAHOU BUFFANBLU
>> 2016 record and finish: 7-3 (5-1 ILH D-I); beat Kamehameha 57-24 in first round of the ILH D-I playoffs; lost 28-14 to Saint Louis in ILH D-I championship game; lost 33-21 to Kapolei in state tournament Open Division first round
>> Number of returning starters: 9 offense, 4 defense
>> Number of returning seniors: 17
>> Number of starters lost to graduation: 17
>> Number of seniors lost to graduation: 25
>> Honolulu Star-Advertiser All-State selections lost to graduation: Ethen Takeyama, first-team REC; Miki Suguturaga, first-team DE; Keala Martinson, second-team REC; Nick Kapule, third-team QB; Ryan Dominick, third-team LB; Jeff Chan, third-team PK
>> Honolulu Star-Advertiser All-State selections returning: Duke Clemens, second-team OL; Hale Motuapuaka, third-team DT
>> Among 2017 key offensive returnees: Stephen Barber, Sr., QB, 6-3, 225; Alama Uluave, Sr., OL, 6-4, 290; Les Falatea, Jr., WR, 6-0, 175; Duke Clemens, Jr., OL, 6-4, 265; Andrei Iossivas, Jr., WR, 6-3, 188
>> Among 2017 key defensive returnees: Hale Motuapuaka, Sr., DL, 6-1, 275; Kaulana Makaula, Jr., DB, 6-3, 180; Marist Liufau, Jr., DB, 6-2, 185; Maninoa Tufono, Jr., LB, 6-3, 230; Trent Shiraki, Jr., LB, 6-0, 180
>> Buffanblu with Division I FBS college offers: Maninoa Tufono, Jr., LB; Kaulana Makaula, Jr., DB; Marist Liufau, Jr. DB, 6-2, 185; Alama Uluave, Sr., OL; Stephen Barber, Sr., QB; Hale Motuapuaka, Sr. DL; Duke Clemens, Jr., OL; Sitiveni Kaufusi, Jr. RB; Alakai Gilman, So., DB
>> All-time state championships: 2 (both D-I, 2008, 2013)
>> All-time Prep Bowl (1973-1998) championships: None
>> All-time ILH championships: 26 (all D-I, including 1 co-championship*): 1909, 1910, 1911, 1912, 1913, 1914, 1915, 1916, 1917, 1919, 1920, 1953, 1954, 1959, 1961, 1964, 1970*, 1971, 1976, 1977, 2005, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014)
>> 2017 conference: ILH D-I
>> 2017 state tournament declaration: Division I-Open
Head coach KALE ANE on the Buffanblu’s outlook for 2017:
“Everything is good so far, just practicing and getting the kids back from camps and clinics. It’s fun. We’ll have about 65, I think on the varsity.
“Depth is always a a concern, so we’re trying to develop depth with younger and less experienced players and providing more advanced things for the returners. We’re happy with the returnees coming back and looking forward to them improving as well. We’re tyring to create a program that has a good starting group and depth.
“Stephen Barber is back at quarterback, and while you like to create competition there, he’s our guy and we will be riding on his shoulders this season. There are four starters that left to graduation among the receivers. We’re hoping to not miss a beat with that group coming back. They know the expectations and we expect them to match the performance of the group that just graduated
“Everybody wants to be a champion and there are different ways to appraoch it. Coaches now refer to it as a procsss, and in that process you have responsibility, fundamentals, technique, chemistry, character development and performance. You put that in the soup, stir it up and hopefully things will happen the right way.
“We will miss Miki (defensive lineman Suguturaga). We were fortunate to have him and DeForest (Buckner) before that and Manti (Te’o) before that, and we’ve had guys like Jeremy (Ioane), too. We always try to figure out a way to replace them. We appreciated them when they were here and we enjoyed it, but (getting that caliber of player) doesn’t happen all the time.
“We do have a bunch of defensive guys back that we’re expecting big things from, and many of them have been getting college offers … (defensive backs) Kaulana Makaula and Marist Liufau, (linebackers) Maninoa Tufono, Hale Motuapuak and Trent Shiraki, (linemen) Kennedy Freeman and Masi Fakatoumafi. And Ola Aina is an excellent DB. We also have a young incoming sophomore, Alakai Gilman, and we’re excited about him as well. His brother (Alohi Gilman) just transferred from Navy to Notre Dame. There are a lot of kids we’re expecting to step up and perform at a high standard.
“Barber can make plays with his arm and legs, Sitiveni Kafusi is a big, strong athletic running back. Alama Uluave and Duke Clemens on the offensive line have offers from colleges. Blake Fiegenspan is an excellent center who is getting a look from Standford, and we see big things for Paulo Soa and Alex Von Rohr, too. We know the offensive line is capable.
For receivers, we have Andrei Iosivas, Tamatoa Falatea, Cody Pacarro and Koa Eldredge, and we have a spot for Cole Arceneaux if he decided that he wants to play. But we know he is going to concentrate on basketball.
“As for Saint Louis, I want to beat them. They’re No. 1 right now and deservedy so. They represent a great challenging point for all of us in the state. They’re well-coached, they make you work, they have great tradition. It’s fun for us as coaches as well as players to play against them. You get better every time you play them. Kamehameha is well-coached, has great talent and is super competitive, too.”
2017 Punahou football schedule
Subject to change. Click here for the latest schedule updates.
Note: The ILH regular-season schedule was not out at the time this post was published.
Thursday, July 27
>> Punahou at Waianae (scrimmage)
Saturday, July 29
>> Farrington at Punahou (scrimmage)
Friday, Aug. 4
>> Punahou vs. Moanalua (nonleague, site TBD)
Friday, Aug. 25
>> Torrey Pines (San Diego) vs. Punahou, (nonleague) at Aloha Stadium
Saturday, Sept. 2
>> Punahou vs. Junipero Serra (Gardena, Calif), (nonleague) in San Diego
2016 Punahou varsity football staff
>> Head coach: Kale Ane (132-59, 19th season)
>> Defensive coordinator: Agenhart Ellis
>> Offensive coordinator: Teetai Ane
>> Associate head coach and wide receivers: Len Lau
>> Special teams coordinator and linebackers: Punahou Aina
>> Quarterbacks: John Morris
>> Running backs: Alakai Aglipay
>> Wide receivers: Miah Ostrowski, Robbie Toma and Fred Salanoa
>> Offensive line: Reggie Torres and Doug Vaioleti
>> Offensive line: Doug Vaioleti
>> Defensive line: Kynan Pang and Cullen Pang
>> Linebackers: Nate Dudoit
>> Outside linebackers: Anthony DeBold
>> Defensive backs: Jeremy Ioane
>> Kickers: Eric Hannum
Good to see plenty Polynesians on the roster, reassembling old time Punahou. Thoough some may be able to afford the tuition, others who can’t, get an opportunity to attend a prestigious school with financial help. Just take care of them academically and not use them for their athletic abilities. Make sure they on the same college track as the rest of the student body. We no need pollicemen, firemen with Punahou pedigree. We need Polynesian leaders to help guide the tribes to the next socio economical strata. LOL at Coach Ane’s challenge made public of his goal of beating St. Louis. That’s having very big BALLS! I’m sure Coach Cal will put that on their bulletin board for their team to see when that time comes. Though Teetai has come under criticism, I think he’s done a wonderful job offensively with his package adapting to the personnel they have/recruit. They’ve done a good job of closing the gap and actually at 1 pt, getting ahead of the Crusaders in the ILH while Coach Cal was at Kalani. Now that he’s back in the ILH, it’s a battle to win among the big 3. The intense rivalry and alumni pride among the ILH football programs, have given recruits opportunities to attend their schools where they might not have had the chance to do so without. It’s also forced football coaches statewide to elevate their coaching prowess to be able to compete on the field. It all makes for a great game and season. Good Luck to the Buff & Blues, there is a lot of tradition there that all can be proud of. May the best and most deserving ILH team come out on top at the end of the season.
BTW, never mean to offend any Policemen or Firemen but one can attend public school to apply and be selected for such. Of course, it would help with the Punahou pedigee and connections. But, raise the bar! Go become an Attorney, Doctor, Dentist, Engineer, Entrepreneur, Banker, etc. Make use of that private school education.
Ah, what if they want to be Police and HFD? A story of success doesn’t always include being a doctor,lawyer or banker. Putting $$$ as an indicator of success doesn’t always work. That said, hundreds of doctors and Lawyers come from public schools. They didn’t need a private school diploma for that. It’s about individual drive. Punahou will have a great team this year. Like to see more running game from them. Good luck.
well said Coach A, agree with you there. just make an informed choice and take advantage of their opportunity. And yes, the public schools offer the same unlimited educational array of education except the peer environment is not the best and one has to driven, disciplined and helps to have that strong home environment. May the ILH wars begin!
gud luck n season mean sumtihng now only 1 ilh advance
18 assistant coaches? Wow! Times have changed as I can remember teams having maybe 5-6 assistants in the “old days.” Of course, we never had water breaks during those 3 hours practices which was inhuman and dangerous. Just the way it was back then. Coaching in Hawaii used to be like “Caveman Football” back then, but has improved by leaps and bounds which benefits the players
Fireman job pays well, as does policeman. Stevedore too. Many former great Kamehameha football players from their decade of dominance in the 1970s were set up as stevedores. Like Boyd Yap, Keoni Jardine, Vern Ramie….
Hawaiians control who gets hired as stevedores. Former Kamehameha football greats made them proud. Get plenty ex UH football players working as stevedores, policemen, firemen. making the big bucks.
Quick, can someone name all the doctors and lawyers who have graduated from Kahuku since 2002 who are currently practicing medicine or law?
Gilbert Ane HPD Punahou, Scott Haneberg,HPD Punahou, Kaipo Kanoho,HPD,Kam. Elmer Tadly,Punahou,HPD. Ray Scanlan,St.Lou,HPD. Choke guys. Usually they go Hfd if cannot pass HPD test. If cannot pass Hfd then stevedore. Stevedore only need to learn how to punch time card add overtime.
EducationFirst, there are so many other ways in which a person can contribute to the betterment of society other than being a doctor. A lot of lawyers do bad for society. Getting criminals off. Outrageous settlements that raise the cost of everyday goods for all.
@Mahatma, Coach A said hundreds of doctors and lawyers come from public schools. I am just curious how many come from Kahuku.
And yes, there are many ways people can contribute. I just asked for clarification.
@ hi my buddy education first why are you so against kahuku? Did something happened to you? Good thing your behind the keyboard
am i missing something here. not once did anyone in this article or from all these comments mentioning doctors and lawyers out of kahuku. Education first, you really need help. you go on to every high school article and just start bashing on kahuku even if it has nothing to do with kahuku. It must really feel like crap to have all these hatred in you. Take a deep breath and just relax. These kids just want to play football.
@rrfl no need to bash on education first he just had it with kahuku winning in football so he’s going do what he can because his feelings been hurting for so long so just let him be
Best of luck Punahou. The regular season will be fun to watch with so much on the line. I’m excited. Great group of coaches!
education first is a troll.
rrfl July 14, 2017 at 7:57 am
am i missing something here. not once did anyone in this article or from all these comments mentioning doctors and lawyers out of kahuku. Education first, you really need help. you go on to every high school article and just start bashing on kahuku even if it has nothing to do with kahuku. It must really feel like crap to have all these hatred in you. Take a deep breath and just relax. These kids just want to play football.
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If anyone needs help sir, it’s the kids out there. They have some of the worst test scores in Hawaii. Many of not college ready, as shown by the data collected.
Instead of looking in the mirror and trying to fix the problem, you point the finger at me. I am just pointing out facts. Instead of being passionate about football, how about being passionate about academics?
As for the doctors and lawyers comment, Coach A said hundred of doctors and lawyers come from public schools. So since Kahuku is a public school, I asked for some examples.
But back to education. I understand all the hostility. It’s easier to point at the guy telling you there’s a problem. The other solution would be to point the finger at yourself. But we know you will never do that sir. And there lies the problem. And that is one of the biggest reasons why the academics barely improve and the test scores are so anemic.
But keep insulting me. It’s your children who suffer.
To clarify, Punahou’s sports teams themselves don’t produce doctors or attorneys. Punahou has “choke” polys on their teams. Alumni and parents of non-athlete students are concerned about the “win at all cost” attitude of the athletic department and school as a whole. They’re afraid the integrity admissions process has been compromised in the last 10-15 years. These “mercenaries” don’t pay tuition which takes away resources from needy and gifted students in other areas.
Win the ILH 4 years in row = 0 concerns.
Lose to St. Louis 2 years in a row = Alumni and Parents concerned now.
No, winning or losing has nothing to do with that sentiment. A large number of alumni and parents think sports should be deemphasized and that kids at the school who don’t belong (of any race BTW) shouldn’t be admitted. Punahou admissions proces becoming a joke.
Education First, What are you taking about the admissions process becoming a joke? When we talk about sports being deemphasized, are you suggesting football? Because Punahou as a whole in athletics have been solid ever since the beginning. Most sports have been dominating for years. I don’t know what alumni and parents you hang around with, but the admissions process if anything has gotten harder. If you want to know a joke of an admissions process, it has always been STL, but that’s another discussion. Punahou on the other hand, if you can’t pass the test, you don’t get in. Regardless of the sport you play. I know a number of recent athletes who didn’t get in who became Hawaii All-State Phenoms and who are still representing Hawaii well at the next level who didn’t get into Punahou.
Braddah bu… not sure what segment of the Punahou alumni/parents you hang with but what I’m saying is fact. If you’re in the know, you must be aware of the tutors and special classes that exists for the sole reason of keeping athletes eligible. Or athletes living in units owned by sponsors near campus. Believe what you want as you may be an ex-athlete who took advantage of the diversity scholie, a parent of such athlete or just someone who is sports oriented. Where we come reflects our perspectives as it is in all things. Nothing wrong with that.