Blaine Hipa keeps working in silence.
The Campbell quarterback’s actions are doing all the talking. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound junior received an invitation to the Elite 11 Regional, which will be on Oct. 25 in Portland, Ore.
“I’m glad I got the opportunity to learn from the coaches,” Hipa said on Saturday.
Campbell was 6-6 in the Open Division last season, losing to Kahuku in the state semifinals, 21-19. Hipa passed for 2,582 yards and 31 touchdowns as a sophomore. Another valuable number might be his grade-point average: 3.8.
The southpaw has offers from Hawaii and Tennessee. A truckload of other programs have flirted with Hipa, dropping plenty of attention on social media: Arizona State, Boise State, Cal, Colorado, Colorado State, Louisville, LSU, Maryland, Nevada, Northwestern, Oregon State, UCF, UNLV.
“We’re happy he’s working hard and doing well,” Campbell coach Darren Johnson said.
In addition to Hipa, Kaimuki quarterback Jayden Maiava has also been invited to the Elite 11.
Hipa has been rigorous in this extended offseason despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I’ve been working out with Coach Kawe (Johnson) and Coach Kelii (Tilton). Coach Kelii was coming to my house and we were training on the road during the lockdown four or five times a week,” Hipa said.
He was hesitant to gauge his improvement.
“It’s hard to tell. We’re not playing games (until early 2021). I’m just working on my arm strength and my mechanics. The ball’s coming out a lot better,” Hipa said.
That’s why the Elite 11 opportunity is increasingly valuable.
“We hope coaches see it,” he said.
The Hawaii high school football season is tentatively set for early 2021, depending, of course, on the pandemic. College coaches want fresh video footage.
“I have a good feeling we’re going to have a season. I just hope we do. A lot of the coaches that have interest in me want to see me play at least a couple of games,” Hipa said.
Hipa’s big-play teammate, wide receiver Titus Mokiao-Atimalala, has 20 scholarship offers.
Punahou was having illegal practices today at Manoa Park around 5pm. HPD was on the scene and forced them to end practice. Most of the kids were wearing Punahou Practice Uniforms and were in pads. There were about 30-40 kids. About an equal number of adults were watching. This is so bad.
First of all there is COVID and rules. This shows that the adults running the practices are above the rules and what they feel like doing is more important than lives. The kids who participated are close to being adults so they should know better. The adults watching, assuming they are the parents should be shame to condone this.
Most people want to get back to their normal lives. But most people follow rules since it protects and saves lives.
I hope the HHSAA, ILH, and Punahou Administration disciplines everyone who was involved.
That sounds like the kids were taking initiative. Still not okay to flout the rules. I’m glad to hear that there weren’t any coaches there. I am sure the school and the coaches would not condone this.
Oh well the state is opening it up to roughly about 8,000 foreigners per day. So I guess it’s all good. Hopefully that doesn’t mess it up for these young men.
Sad you call the COVID hotline so you can walk your dog in the park by yourself!