These seniors were among the last crop to play at Honolulu Stadium and the final year before the Star-Bulletin began doing its All-State team.
After losing two of its first three games of the 1976 season, the Kamehameha Warriors rattled off nine straight wins, including a 46-6 thrashing of Radford in the Prep Bowl.
The Warriors swept top honors on the All-State team with David Hughes edging out Radford’s Homer Jones, Pac-Five’s Lia Moevao and Warriors teammate Keoni Jardine for back of the year honors.
Senior defensive tackle Casey Kunitomo was named the lineman of the year over Radford linebacker Joe Lavatai and ‘Iolani guard Kelvin Ing.
Kamehameha allowed 17 points in a season-opening loss to Leilehua and then gave up 40 to ‘Iolani to drop to 1-2. The Warriors allowed only 20 total points over the next six games with three shutouts, including a 7-0 win over ‘Iolani.
Radford managed just 77 total yards against Kamehameha in the Prep Bowl. Five different Warriors rushed for touchdowns in the final game and quarterback Kimo Perkins was 7-for-17 for 179 yards and a touchdown passing.
Seven Warriors made the first team with ILH runner-up ‘Iolani landing five on the squad.
For a listing of all prep football all-star teams over the years that have been posted, click here.
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I played in curtain raiser for Hawaii all-stars vs Beverly Hills superstars the night Pele played there when he was with the New York Cosmos at aloha stadium…ye ha