Big Island Football Rising

 We might have been in the waves a bit but sure found some time for checking out Big Island Football too.  And what we found was ground pounding hard hitting High School Football!  We had to wonder coming in how the boys of the Big Island might differ in terms of the level and style of play.  After all in a big place like this with so much to do is there room for top tier football too?

The answer we found out at Honoka'a was a resounding "Yes" as we were treated to an hour and a half joint work out with the home town Dragons and the Hilo High Vikings.    Both teams mixed it up in some skill sessions and some 1-1's that tested the guys abilities.  That was followed by some 7-7 and Linemen Battles before both teams had a full scrimmage for well over an hour.

It was a chance for tuning up the offenses and working out defensive schemes too.  And while there is still some rust on both teams they showed they were ready to get after it.

Honoka'a is led by Head Coach Bobby Embernate and a really deep staff of talented local guys and former players; many of them former Dragon's and Collegians too.  The staff did a great job of working out their offense which is a 3 back Power Set- Veer style game.  That is something they did very well as the day went on.

Hilo came in led by first year Head Coach David Baldwin who is trying to rally the Vikings back from a winless 2011 campaign.  His staff was loaded as well.  And Coach Baldwin talked alot about being "Blessed to Have" his coaching staff.  They threw the ball around out of the Shotgun Spread and went under center too.  It was a work in Progress but they showed they have some weapons.

For the Dragon's we enjoys getting interviews with Elrey Tupe (6'0"-260 Pounds OL-DL) and Kainoa Lyman (6'3"-215 Pounds DL-TE).  Both of these guys looked really good and showed they can seriously move on to play Collegiate Ball at some level.  

The running backs for the Dragon's looked good as well with Ty Kauai making some sleek runs and showing he can deliver a blow too.  The pounder for the Dragon's was Justen Kawamoto who at 6'0" and 205 Pounds showed a good burst of speed and great balance.  He also shook tacklers time and again and displayed above average strength.   

Caleb Pacheco also looked good for the Dragon's as a pure athlete that brings a nice skill set to both sides of the ball.

For Hilo there were several guys who stood out too.  Some of their best performers were William Boyd (SR-LB-FB), Tshaquille Pe'a (LB-OLB),  Isi Hokini (6'3"-250 Pound JR. DE-TE), and up and coming Junior QB Drew Kell who showcased great speed and a decent arm despite having a huge cast on his off hand.  There were several others as well for the Viks who looked solid.

We left with some solid impressions as follows of these two teams and of Big Island Football:

• The Coaching we saw was top caliber.  The fact that so many guys have returned to the Big Island to Coach and Raise their families is awesome.  You do not see that as often as you might think.  Their committment and passion was unquestionable.
• The Fans and Families were out in force.  While the facilities are not fancy there is something about seeing the mighty blue Pacific Ocean in the backdrop that made the setting heavenly.  And boy the fans were into it big time as the day went along.
• The kids have PASSION.  They hit as hard as any kids we have seen.  They fly to the ball and engage contact and love it.  On par they showed they have what it takes to win.
• Depth of Rosters is the main factor that may separate these schools from other more successful programs.   Still the working parts are there in both teams for success in terms of wins.
• The Big Island may not have the depth of players who can compete at the next level but there is plenty of kids here to look at; especially for NAIA, D-2 and D-3 schools.  The area is no doubt under-recruited as of us writing this report.

We love our visit with the kids and Coaches and will be back.  Several of the kids we mentioned are adding profiles at IslandPreps.com and we  will follow up with any and all of the players from these teams.  We are looking at all of the schools on all of the Islands and are looking for help covering the Islands.

Do you love HS Football?  Have you always felt that your school and or area has too many kids not being seriously looked at?  Then volunteer as a writer or analyst for our Network and help.  The more stories we tell to the growing list of Coaches who visit our Network the more kids will get out.  It is as simple as that.

If you would like to help contact our Editor Dirk Knudsen By Clicking Here.

Check Out the Video of the Scrimmage Right Here:  http://islandpreps.com/  Make sure to get any and all pics you want right here as well in the album we listed below!