(Kaipo Kawaha) - KHON2 Reporter
"This weekend, right here at Aloha Stadium—home of the annual NFL Pro Bowl—Hawaii's two premier high school football teams will face off. Expectations are sky-high for this matchup. One of the biggest storylines is the battle between the quarterbacks: Saint Louis School's Tua Tagovailoa and Kahuku High School's Dwayne Moi Stone."
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(Michael Fischer) - KHKA Radio Host
"Tua Tagovailoa has been rated as the top high school dual-threat quarterback for the past three months. He hasn't budged from that spot. He's currently ranked 32nd nationally and 1st among dual-threat QBs. Every NCAA Division 1 team looking for a dual-threat will want him. But here's where it gets really interesting."
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(Jensen Carpenter) - KKEA Radio Host
"Dwayne Moi Stone has already carved his name at the very top of the 2020 NCAA recruiting rankings. What's even more shocking is that this happened the moment he declared he was playing for Kahuku. He's the only player being evaluated as a 6-STAR rather than a 5-STAR. And he's already proven it on the field. This freshman is putting up insane numbers this season."
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(Tristan Akina) - KGMB Radio Host "He's started 12 games so far, and get this: 36 touchdown passes and—don't be shocked—3,051 passing yards. You won't find another high school quarterback with stats even close to that. On top of that, he's rushed 108 times for 810 yards and 8 rushing touchdowns. The most terrifying part? He's only 14 years old! 14!! It's absolutely mental!!"
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(Kaipo Kawaha)
"To catch this Open Division Tournament final, about 400 NCAA and NFL scouts are flying in from the mainland. All 50,000 seats are expected to sell out. If you want to see this game, you better move fast. The tickets won't last. For KHON, I'm Kaipo Kawaha."
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# November 12, 2016
#-1. USA, Oahu, Hawaii
#-2. Honolulu CDP
#-3. Aina Haina
"I'll bring some fruit. Eat up."
"Burp."
Oops. A burp slipped out. I feel like my stomach is about to explode. That's right. It's Saturday, and I'm at Grandma's house. Aunt Mel went out a while ago.
Feeling like I needed to digest, I gathered the empty dishes from the table and headed to the sink. I started washing them immediately.
"What a good boy."
"It's nothing, Grandma."
"Nothing? I wish the other kids would learn from you. Are there even any other cousins in Paia who do the dishes besides you?"
"No. Not a one."
"See?"
The others might wash their own plate, but I'm the only one who does the whole pile. That's why I'm Grandma's favorite.
"Here, have this."
"Did you rob a whole market?"
"Hoho. Such a joker."
She said 'fruit,' so I thought she'd just wash some berries, but a whole assorted platter was placed in front of me. I guess I'll be eating for a while. I'll have to go for a run this evening.
"You said the weekend game is important?" "Yes. It's the final."
"The opponent? Are they good?"
"The best in Hawaii. But we're going to win this time. Saint Louis is a great team, but we've grown a lot too."
"Oh, Saint Louis. That's a good school."
Actually, Grandma wanted me to go to Saint Louis. The environment was good, and above all, I could have commuted from home. I felt a bit bad about that.
From my first day at Kahuku until now, Grandma hasn't missed a single day of messaging me. Asking if I ate well, if I'm hurting anywhere. Even though she probably hears news about me from Aunt Mel every day, she always checks in personally around 10:00 PM before she goes to sleep.
Sometimes I'm so exhausted I pass out early and can't reply. When I check the next morning and call before school, Grandma says it's wonderful to start her day with my voice.
True Love. Simultaneously, Unconditional Love. Grandma is also very diligent. You could say she's the source of our family's strength.
Look at her now.
"The first time Kahuku and Saint Louis met in the finals was 1989."
Grandma sat on the sofa, skillfully searching for Kahuku vs. Saint Louis matchups on her phone. And just like she said, the two schools first met in a final in 1989. Back then, the Oahu high school league was called the Prep Bowl.
Starting in 1973, Saint Louis won the Prep Bowl 14 times. Waianae won 4 times, and Kamehameha-Oahu won 3 times. On the other hand, our Kahuku...
"0 wins and 5 losses."
"Yup. Five times a runner-up."
When Saint Louis was crushing us five times during the Prep Bowl era, the coach was still Cal Lee. Thinking about it, that guy has been at it for a long time.
Anyway. After the Prep Bowl ended and the league was organized into the division system, the years Kahuku won increased. From our first win in 2000 until last year, Kahuku has stood at the top 8 times. Especially last year's undefeated championship—no one saw that coming, and Coach Gavin Travis was praised for his leadership.
And this year, under the newly revamped Open Division system, we are aiming for the inaugural title.
"Hup!"
I stepped outside and stretched. November in Hawaii is cool, averaging around 25°C. However, it's the start of the rainy season, so it's damp and rains often. Luckily, the forecast says Saturday—the day of the final—will be clear. Football in the rain has its charms, but it usually turns into a dogfight in the mud. You slip when you try to run, and the ball keeps popping out of your hands.
"Moi?"
"Huh?"
I heard a familiar voice and turned my head. Aunt Mel was walking over. Is she with friends? She's with some women I don't know. I can hear them whispering.
"Oh my god. It really is Dwayne Moi Stone." "Oh my god. It was true? Can I ask for an autograph?"
It's painful to pretend I didn't hear them when it's that obvious. With the most nonchalant face possible, I waited for Aunt Mel.
"My friends say they're your fans."
"Really? Hello."
They didn't look like long-time friends of hers. She mentioned joining some group recently; she probably met them there. I took pictures with them. And gave autographs. After her friends left, I walked to the front door with her.
"Who were they?"
"New friends."
"Really? Let's head inside."
While Aunt Mel was in the shower, I grabbed the ukulele and sat by the window. Ever since I was little, whenever it rained, Dad would play the ukulele for me. I watched and learned from his side. From Grandpa to Dad. From Dad to me.
Will the day come when I pass on the Stone family tradition? It feels like the distant future. Skillfully strumming the ukulele, I sang along.
"E Hawaiʻi e kuʻu one hānau e~♩." (O Hawaii, land of my birth) .
"Kuʻu home kulaīwi nei~♪." (My native home) . "ʻOli nō au i nā pono lani ou~♬" (I find true joy in your heavenly blessings)
Between the sound of the rain and the ukulele, my voice filled the house. Before I knew it, Grandma and Aunt Mel were sitting beside me with beers in hand. We swayed slowly from side to side and sang together.
"E hauʻoli nā ʻōpio o Hawaiʻi nei~"
"E hauʻoli nā ʻōpio o Hawaiʻi nei~"
The eternal youth of Hawaii. O Hawaii. Aloha. Right now, I am incredibly peaceful. More than that, I am happy.
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# November 14, 2016
#-4. Football Field
Luckily, the rain stopped Sunday afternoon, so the field condition was good. After training was over, we all took a knee in front of the coach.
"This Saturday!"
"...."
"We have a very important game! The day we decide the champion of Hawaii! For this, we have been sweating since summer!"
The coach continued talking about the meaning of the final, what we are playing for, and our sense of brotherhood.
"Everyone wants to win this final! But no one wants it more than the seniors! For them, this Saturday might be their last high school football game ever! So, remember this well! We will stand in Aloha Stadium as a team! And we will fight as a team! If you understand, answer like Red Raiders!"
"OORAH—!!"
"OORAH!"
Satisfied with the loud response, the coach nodded and ended the practice. Now it was my turn.
"Alright. Wash up quickly. Moi?"
"Yes, sir."
The guys gathered around me. I thrust my right fist into the air.
"We did great today, and we're gonna do even better tomorrow. You know what I mean? See you in the weight room at 9:30. When I count one-two-three, you shout 'Red Raiders.' Four-five-six, you shout 'State Champion.' Got it?" "Damn! That sounds dope!"
"Damn right. Here we go. One-two-three!" "RED RAIDERS!!"
"Four-five-six!"
"STATE CHAMPION!!"
"LET'S GO—!!"
After returning to the dorms by bus last night, I sat at my desk and did some thinking. We were facing the finals and needed a new chant for motivation. This is what I came up with. To my delight, the reaction was great.
"Let's only do weight training until Wednesday this week."
"Preparing for Saturday?"
"Yeah. Resting is important too."
"Not bad."
"Cool. See you later."
After saying bye to Harmon, I headed straight to the QB room. While the others spent their personal time, I had more work to do.
"Sorry I'm late."
"It's fine. We just got here."
"Good. Let's start."
"Right."
Click.
The lights went out, and the projector turned on. It was footage of today's practice, specifically the O-line tackles.
"This is for when they come out in a 4-3, right?"
"Yeah."
"Good. We can definitely use this."
"We put a lot of work into it."
There are three main defensive formations in football: 4-3, 3-4, and Nickel. All defensive strategies are built on these three, and Saint Louis uses the 4-3 as their base.
The most basic and popular defensive form.
Strong against rushing attacks.
Good gap coverage between defenders.
Backfield coverage is decent.
Vulnerable to wide and fast offensive plays.
"What should we do with the Halfback? One? Two?"
"They're a high-blitz team, coach."
"Then it should be two."
"Send them to #1 and #5. That'll match up well with the blocks."
On the first day I checked Saint Louis's roster, I worried a lot about how to attack, but hard work hasn't betrayed us. By adding a little something new to our existing tactics, we've built something pretty solid. We still have time. We'll keep refining it.
"Alright. Let's call it a day."
"Yes, sir. Good work."
"You too."
"Oh, but..."
"?"
"How is the defense looking?"
"Sigh—it's looking a bit rough over there."
"I figured."
"The Slotback isn't a common tactic these days."
"It's old school."
As I've mentioned, Saint Louis Coach Cal Lee has been coaching forever. He's like a living witness to modern football. He's probably experienced every tactic there is. This time, he's using an old tactic to maximize the strengths of his star QB, Tua Tagovailoa: the Slotback (also called an A-back).
In modern football, a Tight End stands at the end of the O-line. But in the past, they placed players called Slotbacks between the O-line and the Wide Receivers. They block Linebackers from getting to the QB, and sometimes run forward with the Wide Receivers. Cornerbacks and Safeties can't stop that attack alone. It can force the disaster of having to use Linebackers as deep secondary defenders.
Saint Louis will likely aim for this. Our defenders will have to give it their all.
Leaving the QB room, I headed to the defensive team's meeting area and peeked inside. The Defensive Coordinator, Coach Billy Burt, was giving a heated speech.
"The Ends have to be solid pass rushers!"
"...."
"Do you hear me?! Pass rushers!"
Like the Bishop Gorman game, we have to expect to give up about 30 points. Success or failure will depend on how much we can reduce that, and conversely, our offense must play with the mindset of scoring on every single drive.
The defense definitely has it harder. There are way more tactical demands. Compared to the D-line, the O-line is relatively simple—except for the Quarterback.
I have to know our offensive tactics and the opponent's defensive tactics. And the latter changes every week. Sometimes you just need to do what you prepared regardless of the defense, but for a team like Saint Louis with a State Championship on the line, it's a different story.
So, I sit in my chair and study. I look at the file on Saint Louis's defense every spare moment I have. I move my pen busily over my notebook. Drawing O's and X's for the offense and defense, drawing lines and trying different things. The most important thing here is imagination—one of the basic qualities of a QB.
"Phew."
Honestly speaking, our win probability is maybe 49% at best. More realistically, mid-30s. This disadvantage comes from the sheer number of elite players they have. But even so, it's enough to hold onto hope. When I led the Jets to a championship in my past life, the win probability was only 1.9%.
"If only things go as planned..."
If they do, we can win. But even saying that is admitting we're the underdogs. However, weak thoughts only attract more weak thoughts, so as always, I didn't give the bad thoughts a seat at the table. Since I'm the one who gives out the seats, I can choose not to.
Wait.
"Oh, shit!"
I lost track of time; it was 9:27 PM. I have to sprint to the gym. If I'm late, I have to do five penalty exercises, including push-ups, in front of everyone—wearing nothing but my underwear. I'll be drained before the real game even starts. Most of all, the guys would tease me forever. I can't let that happen.
"I'm not late!"
"Dammit! There were only 16 seconds left." "Wooooooo!!"
Seeing the disappointment on the faces of the guys who bet money on me being late, I let out a cheer of joy. I immediately took off my shirt. No time to dawdle. I shouted to everyone at the top of my lungs.
"ALL MUSCLERS!!"
"...."
"DIG IT!!"
Dig it. I love it. Since I know how grueling our nightly work is, I always start with this chant. Soon, the gym was filled with sweat and the sound of straining voices.
"LET'S GO!!!"
"You weak piece of shit!! Lift more!! MORE!!" "COME ON!! YOU CAN DO IT!!"
Man, it was nice when I was holding a ukulele and singing. But this...
"20!! That's it!!"
"Did you see that?! Did you see it!! How about that!!"
No. It was plenty worth enjoying. Even if it was a space filled with the screams of sweaty men.