Examining the numbers

The Star-Advertiser Football All-State ballot was sent out earlier in the week, creating a little wrinkle of stress for all coaches and media involved with the voting process. It’s not easy, not if you (the voter) fill out the entire ballot. Example: I always ask for 15 offensive linemen in ranked order. Nobody I know enjoys doing that. Well, nobody except a few diehard footballholics (coaches).

So, below you can find the statistics of a ton of players along with some commentary.

A look at individual statistics of many of the state’s top football players. NOTE: Statistics from the KIF are not available. I’m waiting on those.

Players listed in no particular order.

QUARTERBACKS
Kahoali‘i Karratti, Konawaena
Completions-Attempts (Pct.): 136-266 (.511)
Passing yards: 2,931
TD: 41
INT: 7
Yards per attempt: 11.02
Passer rating: 189.29
Notable: 12-for-25, 217 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT vs. ‘Iolani; 9-for-25, 276 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT vs. Nanakuli.

Larry Tuileta, Punahou
Completions-Attempts (Pct.): 157-244 (.643)
Passing yards: 2,592
TD: 29
INT: 4
Yards per attempt: 10.62
Passer rating: 189.52
Notable: Only 1 INT until the state final vs. Kahuku; Kahuku title game was his first without a TD pass; 24-for-35, 420 yards, 5 TD, 0 INT vs. Mililani; led state in passer rating

Kawai Mook-Garcia, Saint Louis
Completions-Attempts (Pct.): 78-137 (.569)
Passing yards: 1,222
TD: 11
INT: 4
Yards per attempt: 8.92
Passer rating: 152.52
Notable: Missed three games (suspension, injury); 17-for-24, 330 yards, 4 TD, 0 INT vs. Kamehameha (won 34-23); 17-for-30, 170 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT vs. Punahou (lost 38-0).

Reece Foy, ‘Iolani
Completions-Attempts (Pct.): 212-312 (.679)
Passing yards: 2,565
TD: 35
INT: 7
Yards per attempt: 8.22
Passer rating: 169.54
Notable: 50-for-69, 712 yards, 10 TD, 0 INT in first three games; 22-for-34, 274 yards, 5 TD, 2 INT vs. Saint Louis; 22-for-36, 299 yards, 5 TD, 2 INT vs. Lahainaluna in D-II state final; passer rating ranks third in state. Foy also rushed for 289 yards (3.7 per carry) and two touchdowns, though no statistic can measure his escapability and scrambling ability. ‘Iolani won its sixth Division II state title in a row, the last three with Foy at QB.

Viliami Livai, Kahuku
Completions-Attempts (Pct.): 65-127 (.513)
Passing yards: 986
TD: 9
INT: 3
Yards per attempt: 7.76
Passer rating: 135.06
Notable: He never had a game with less than nine pass attempts and only once did he have more than 12. He never had a game with more than one interception. His YPA ranks among the best in the state. He was 4-for-9 for 111 yards, two touchdowns and no picks in the final against Punahou.

Syles Choy, Damien
Completions-Attempts (Pct.): 120-234 (.513)
Passing yards: 1,368
TD: 8
INT: 10
Yards per attempt: 5.85
Passer rating: 103.12
Notable: Had a season-high 210 yards and two TDs (with two picks) against Pac-Five. Also rushed for 277 yards and nine touchdowns.

Micah Kaneshiro, Moanalua
Completions-Attempts (Pct.): 112-206 (.544)
Passing yards: 1,509
TD: 23
INT: 19
Yards per attempt: 7.33
Passer rating: 134.3
Notable: Got the green light as much as any QB in the state with incredible numbers positive and negative within the same games. His single-game high of five TD passes against McKinley also came with four picks (229 yards). Was highly efficient against Kailua (11-14-0-214, 3 TD) and Kaimuki (12-17-1-264, 4 TD) but struggled against powerhouses Kahuku (179 yards, 2 TDs, 2 picks) and Farrington (61 yards, 0 TDs, 3 INT).

Ryder Kuhns, Saint Louis
Completions-Attempts (Pct.): 100-160 (.625)
Passing yards: 1,216
TD: 11
INT: 4
Yards per attempt: 7.6
Passer rating: 144.03
Notable: The sophomore had a memorable debut against Farrington (166 yards, 1 TD), then an eye-opening performance against nationally-ranked Bishop Gorman (Nev.) (23-36-0-246, 3 TDs) in relief. The Saints scored 40 second-half points against Bishop Gorman as Kuhns made tremendous strides from one drive to the next. He got his playing time, however, only when the starter, senior Kawai Mook-Garcia, was unable to play.

Kaimi Paredes, Waipahu
Completions-Attempts (Pct.): 46-108 (.426)
Passing yards: 867
TD: 6
INT: 6
Yards per attempt: 8.03
Passer rating: 117.25
Notable: His ability to scramble and throw the deep ball to Dylan Pakau made Paredes a headache to game plan against. In the span of a few months, he got the gist of Waipahu’s option attack. He rushed for 390 yards (3.9 per carry) and seven touchdowns. With more time, he could’ve mastered the option. Instead, Paredes wound up sharing snaps in the last few games with a talented underclassman.

Montana Liana, Farrington
Completions-Attempts (Pct.): 88-168 (.524)
Passing yards: 955
TD: 11
INT: 5
Yards per attempt: 5.68
Passer rating: 115.79
Notable: The sophomore did not throw a pick in his final six games (64 pass attempts), though his opportunities through the air were limited. He started the season with four games of at least 110 passing yards in the first seven. But in the final six games, Liana averaged less than 42 passing yards as the Govs stayed on the ground.

Cody Lui-Yuen, Radford
Completions-Attempts (Pct.): 183-393 (.466)
Passing yards: 2,677
TD: 30
INT: 17
Yards per attempt: 6.81
Passer rating: 120.32
Notable: Like Moanalua’s Micah Kaneshiro, Lui-Yuen got the keys to the car, so to speak, as a first-year starter. He had his share of up days (369 yards, 6 TDs against Waialua and 312 yards, 3 TDs against Nanakuli) and down days (13-38-1-113, 1 TD against Kaiser and 15-40-2-120, 1 TD against ‘Iolani).

Alton Kahana, Kapolei
Completions-Attempts (Pct.): 73-154 (.474)
Passing yards: 990
TD: 8
INT: 8
Yards per attempt: 6.43
Passer rating: 108.16
Notable: Mobile, but inexperienced, the junior learned on the job while under pressure. His best game was a 170-yard, four-touchdown performance in a 35-34 win over then-No. 9 Campbell.

Isaiah Hernandez-Fonoti, Aiea
Completions-Attempts (Pct.): 74-138 (.536)
Passing yards: 840
TD: 6
INT: 11
Yards per attempt: 6.09
Passer rating: 103.16
Notable: He racked up 422 passing yards and four touchdowns in nonconference wins over Kaimuki and Castle, but against the rugged OIA Red West, never surpassed 130 yards in a single game.

Justin Jenks, Leilehua
Completions-Attempts (Pct.): 181-287 (.631)
Passing yards: 1,620
TD: 15
INT: 7
Yards per attempt: 5.64
Passer rating: 122.85
Notable: In lieu of a dominant rushing attack, the Mules had the first-year starter in ball-control, high-percentage mode — an approach somewhat similar to the one at arch rival Mililani. Jenks is quick, but stayed in the pocket almost exclusively. His 63.1-percent completion rate is among the best in the state. His 577 yards and six touchdowns in wins over Kapolei and Campbell were his best back-to-back, two-game run. He was 13-for-26, 124 yards without a TD or pick against Kahuku.

Denzel Kalahiki-Gasper, McKinley
Completions-Attempts (Pct.): 62-134 (.463)
Passing yards: 664
TD: 4
INT: 11
Yards per attempt: 4.96
Passer rating: 81.33
Notable: The stats do not include the game against La Salle (Ore.). Those stats are missing. His best game was against Kaimuki (19-29, 275 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT).

Makana Lyman, Kaiser
Completions-Attempts (Pct.): 141-247 (.571)
Passing yards: 1,976
TD: 15
INT: 7
Yards per attempt: 8.0
Passer rating: 138.66
Notable: After sitting out his junior year, Lyman was solid as a senior, hitting the 200-yard mark in six games. He had some of his best outings on the road: 254 yards, 2 TDs against Kalaheo; 258 yards, 3 TDs at Nanakuli.

Makoa Camanse-Stevens, Kamehameha
Completions-Attempts (Pct.): 132-233 (.567)
Passing yards: 1,706
TD: 17
INT: 1
Yards per attempt: 7.32
Passer rating: 141.38
Notable: He went 195 pass attempts without an interception to start the season. Had a season-high 3 TD passes in a win over league champion Punahou. His season-high in yardage was 280 (18-for-33) with TDs and no picks against Saint Louis. He also rushed for 247 yards (4.3 per carry) and six touchdowns for the year.

Jarin Morikawa, Mililani
Completions-Attempts (Pct.): 305-532 (.573)
Passing yards: 3,583
TD: 36
INT: 13
Yards per attempt: 6.73
Passer rating: 131.35
Notable: As his young receivers gained game experience, Morikawa’s numbers improved. No other QB had as many attempts, completions and yardage. Only Punahou was able to limit him to a sub-.500 completion rate, and he still threw for 295 yards and three TDs. He eclipsed the 300-yard mark five times and reached the 400-yard mark once. Nine times, Morikawa had at least three TD passes. Mililani reached the semifinal round of the state tourney.

Justin Tago-Su‘e, Campbell
Completions-Attempts (Pct.): 119-233 (.511)
Passing yards: 1,429
TD: 12
INT: 11
Yards per attempt: 6.13
Passer rating: 110.14
Notable: His best games were against Waipahu (249 yards, 4 TDs) and Kapolei (240 yards, 2 TDs, 3 INT).

Kekoa Kaluhiokalani, Waianae
Completions-Attempts (Pct.): 92-162 (.568)
Passing yards: 1,164
TD: 8
INT: 10
Yards per attempt: 7.19
Passer rating: 124.52
Notable: In their first four games, when he threw at least 20 passes, Waianae was 1-3 and Kaluhiokalani’s YPA was 5.33. Less than 20 attempts, Waianae was 4-2 and his YPA was a whopping 9.82. His efficiency grew substantially when the Seariders upped the ground-and-pound attack.

Jordan Cristobal, Kealakehe
Completions-Attempts (Pct.):
Passing yards:
TD:
INT:
Yards per attempt:
Passer rating:
Notable: Complete stats are not available. Three games of stats (both Keaau matchups, game at Hilo) are missing. In the other seven games, he passed for 763 yards (54-for-88) with nine TDs and five INT, and rushed for 574 yards (5.3 per carry) and six touchdowns.

Kahaku Iaea, Kailua
Completions-Attempts (Pct.): 94-201 (.468)
Passing yards: 1,061
TD: 9
INT: 9
Yards per attempt: 5.28
Passer rating: 96.93
Notable: The third-year starter was a talented slinger with size, the major reason why the Surfriders junked their I-formation, run-first offense in favor of a wide-open shotgun attack. But with running back Jarrin Young in and out of the lineup, plus a relatively young receiving corps, Iaea never got on a roll as a senior. His best games were against Kaimuki (9-16-0-117, 3 TD) and Kailua (3 TDs).

Kiko Kohler-Fonohema, Lahainaluna
Completions-Attempts (Pct.): 38-75 (.507)
Passing yards: 546
TD: 8
INT: 2
Yards per attempt: 7.28
Passer rating: 141.69
Notable: He operated Lahainaluna’s complex modified-T offense through the MIL season, but yielded at the state tourney to sophomore Makoa (Sione) Filikitonga-Lukela, a JV call-up. Kohler-Fonohema saw time at running back, wide receiver and defensive back. He rushed for 433 yards (4.9 per carry) and nine touchdowns.

Keelan Ewaliko, Baldwin
Completions-Attempts (Pct.): 46-111 (.414)
Passing yards: 592
TD: 6
INT: 3
Yards per attempt: 5.33
Passer rating: 98.67
Notable: A rib injury cut into his early season and Baldwin lost to Lahainaluna — a 32-0 shutout. When he returned, the Bears ran the MIL table, and he was back to form. The senior ran for 730 yards (8 per carry) and 12 touchdowns. Mililani put a lid on his passing game (6-for-23, 55 yards, 1 INT), but he ran roughshod against everybody (20-116, 1 TD vs. Mililani).

Chazz Troutman, Leilehua
Completions-Attempts (Pct.): 76-153 (.497)
Passing yards: 802
TD: 10
INT: 15
Yards per attempt: 5.24
Passer rating: 95.67
Notable: He passed for more than 100 yards just twice, but Troutman’s command of the option attack was sometimes magical. He rushed for 532 yards (4.6 per carry) and eight touchdowns, but his ability to spark big plays were crucial ingredient in Nanakuli’s late-season run through the OIA White playoffs and D-II state tourney. He also started at safety and returned kicks.

Noah Brum, Kalani
Completions-Attempts (Pct.): 132-259 (.510)
Passing yards: 1,725
TD: 16
INT: 11
Yards per attempt: 6.66
Passer rating: 118.80
Notable: His string of massive passing totals came to a halt in a season-ending loss to Kaiser. Until then, he had a six-game roll of 273 yards and more than two TDs per contest.

Brock Teixeira, Pearl City
Completions-Attempts (Pct.): 88-187 (.438)
Passing yards: 1,840
TD: 23
INT: 7
Yards per attempt: 8.73
Passer rating: 162.81
Notable: His passer rating is among the best in the state, partly because of his complete lack of fear regarding the deep ball. That led to a YPA that is surpassed by only two passers. He threw for 278 yards and two touchdowns in a loss to Nanakuli, then reeled off five consecutive victories while averaging 281 yards and four TDs per game — five consecutive wins — before Pearl City barely missed the OIA White playoffs.

Drew Kell, Hilo
Completions-Attempts (Pct.): 97-181 (.536)
Passing yards: 1,591
TD: 12
INT: 9
Yards per attempt: 8.79
Passer rating: 139.36
From Coach David Baldwin: “The divisionʻs only true pocket passer. Also a running threat, rushing for 524 yards and 6 TDs. Set BIIF record, passing for 407 yards in a single game, against Kealakehe 9/15/12. BIIF Offensive Player of the Year, 2012.”

RUNNING BACKS

Kainalu Kaleo, Anuenue
Attempts: 131
Yards: 1,453
TD: 16
Yards per game: 161.44
Yards per carry: 11.09
Receptions-Yards-TD: 8-128-2
Yards per reception: 15.86
Notable: In the double wing offense, Kaleo had opportunities and bruises. Defenses often converged on the fullback (Kaleo) over and over. He had to withstand the constant barrage of hits, while playing both offense and defense. He had at least four TD runs of 60 yards or more, including a single-game high of 336 yards, three touchdowns on 22 carries against Nanakuli.

Abraham “Amo” Silva, Farrington
Attempts: 234
Yards: 1,633
TD: 17
Yards per game: 125.62
Yards per carry: 6.98
Receptions-Yards-TD: 5-53-1
Yards per reception: 10.6
Notable: Silva opened the season with 223 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries against Waianae. After five games, he had 854 yards and 11 touchdowns, on pace to shatter the single-season record. The return of starting RB Tyler Taumua had already reduced his carries, though, and the shared duties turned out to be a blessing for both. Taumua had been on a similar arc the year before when injuries slowed him. Seven times, Silva crested the 100-yard mark.

Anuenue Tui, Anuenue
Attempts: 130
Yards: 844
TD: 7
Yards per game: 93.78
Yards per carry: 6.49
Receptions-Yards-TD: 2-34-0
Yards per reception: 17.0
Notable: When Kainalu Kaleo didn’t get the handoff up the gut, it was Tui, a transfer from Roosevelt, who often wound up with the football. Tui’s single-game high in yardage was 186 on 22 carries against Pearl City and his single-game TD peak was three against Roosevelt.

Adam Noga, Saint Louis
Attempts: 126
Yards: 931
TD: 10
Yards per game: 103.44
Yards per carry: 7.39
Receptions-Yards-TD: 4-45-0
Yards per reception: 11.3
Notable: Noga was arguably the quickest of a strong group of running backs in 2012, a quick cutter with major acceleration in the open field from sideline to sideline. Injuries cut into his production at midseason, but he left behind an amazing reel of highlights. His top yardage game was 201 yards and two touchdowns (20 carries) against Bishop Gorman. He also ascended above the 100-yard mark against Farrington (170), ‘Iolani (152) and Kamehameha (142).

Ishmil Scott, Moanalua
Attempts: 102
Yards: 549
TD: 3
Yards per game: 54.9
Yards per carry: 5.13
Receptions-Yards-TD: 8-47-0
Yards per reception: 5.9
Notable: The junior had two 100-yard games in the first three weeks, but didn’t get back there the rest of the fall. He was still a major part of the offense, gaining 98 yards on 14 attempts in a playoff loss to Leilehua.

Aofaga Wily, Kahuku
Attempts: 277
Yards: 1,744
TD: 27
Yards per game: 144.33
Yards per carry: 6.30
Receptions-Yards-TD: 6-59-0
Yards per reception: 9.8
Notable: After offseason ankle surgery, Wily remained healthy for the entire season and was the key component of a run-first offense. He led the state in attempts, yardage and touchdowns. His array of skills allowed Kahuku to use him to widen the field on stretch plays and occasional tosses. But his power between the tackles was more than adequate. Wily’s favorite play was the blast, and that made him highly productive inside the 10. He had only one game below 100 yards, a 21-carry, 61-yard struggle against Farrington during the regular season, but he came back with 141 yards and four touchdowns against the Govs in the state tourney (24 carries). In the state final against Punahou, Wily rumbled for 188 yards and three touchdowns on 26 attempts.

Jacob Kukahiko, Kapolei
Attempts: 127
Yards: 719
TD: 9
Yards per game: 71.9
Yards per carry: 5.66
Receptions-Yards-TD: 3-5-0
Yards per reception: 1.7
Notable: The Hurricanes found more success when Kukahiko carried the ball at least 10 times. With 10 or more carries for Kukahiko, Kapolei was 5-2. WIth less than 10, the ‘Canes were 1-2. He cracked the 100-yard mark three times, against Waipahu, Waianae and Aiea.

Kyle Sato, Damien
Attempts: 102
Yards: 527
TD: 4
Yards per game: 52.7
Yards per carry: 5.17
Receptions-Yards-TD: 10-50-0
Yards per reception: 5.0
Notable: Sato burst out of the gate with 423 yards in five games, including a 132-yard effort against Kalaheo and a 100-yard performance against Pac-Five. But after the 26-carry day against Pac-Five, he spent more time on defense and accounted for 29 carries in the final five games.

Faaolaina Teofilo, Kamehameha-Hawaii
Attempts:
Yards:
TD:
Yards per game:
Yards per carry:
Receptions-Yards-TD:
Yards per reception:
Notable: Stats for his last four games are not available. For the first seven games, of which he sat once (Honokaa), he had 680 yards and four touchdowns on 100 carries. That included a 180-yard, one-TD game against Waiakea and a 189-yard, two-TD effort against Keaau.

Kai Gonda, Kaiser
Attempts: 119
Yards: 892
TD: 11
Yards per game: 89.2
Yards per carry: 7.5
Receptions-Yards-TD: 20-213-2
Yards per reception: 10.7
Notable: Perhaps nobody in the state had quite the fun that Gonda did. His main role was as a ballcarrier in an offense that was in a shotgun, four wide sometimes, and then a Power I at other times. But Gonda’s value was in his versatility. He scored at least one TD as a rusher, pass catcher, punt returner, kickoff returner and fumble returner. He even threw a touchdown pass. The only way he did not score was on an interception return. If he was exhausted, he didn’t admit it. Illness (flu) and back spasms cut his playing time severely in a playoff loss to Nanakuli.

Tyler Taumua, Farrington
Attempts: 222
Yards: 1,447
TD: 19
Yards per game: 120.58
Yards per carry: 6.52
Receptions-Yards-TD: 6-61-1
Yards per reception: 10.2
Notable: After sitting the opener with a shoulder injury, Taumua worked back to full health to give the Govs an unmatched 1-2 combo at running back with Abraham Silva. Taumua’s ability to go wide and elude defenders was a good match with Silva, a powerful north-south gasher. Taumua sometimes lined up wide and motioned pre-snap for fly sweeps. But his primary strength was from the tailback spot, with Silva sometimes at fullback. Taumua’s top game was a 226-yard, three-TD effort (29 attempts) against Mililani. He hit the 100-yard mark eight times.

Willie Lynch, Kalaheo
Attempts: 73
Yards: 684
TD: 15
Yards per game: 76.0
Yards per carry: 9.93
Receptions-Yards-TD: 6-150-0
Yards per reception: 25.0
Notable: The Mustangs split the load in the backfield, but Lynch still had some breakout moments. He went for 200 yards and four touchdowns against Kalani. There was a 79-yard reception against Kaiser. His 834 yards from scrimmage on 79 touches calculate to 10.6 yards per touch, easily one of the best in Division II.

Ryan Tuiasoa, Punahou
Attempts: 156
Yards: 918
TD: 16
Yards per game: 91.8
Yards per carry: 5.88
Receptions-Yards-TD: 16-327-4
Yards per reception: 20.44
Notable: The former linebacker was extremely valuable to the Buffanblu on offense, a sure-handed target on swing routes and a no-frills, north-south runner out of the pistol. He hit the 100-yard mark against some of the state’s best run defenses: 146 yards with two TDs against Kamehameha, 106 yards and two scores against Saint Louis, 271 yards and four TDs against ‘Iolani, and 118 yards and three TDs against Kahuku in the state final. Tuiasoa’s 1,245 yards and 20 touchdowns from scrimmage eclipsed the 1,342 yards and 15 TDs by last year’s prodigious Punahou playmaker, Steven Lakalaka.

Cristian Johnston, Kalaheo
Attempts: 102
Yards: 693
TD: 7
Yards per game: 86.63
Yards per carry: 6.79
Receptions-Yards-TD: 3-12-0
Yards per reception: 4.0
Notable: Johnston reached the 100-yard mark four times, including 141 yards on 22 carries and one touchdown against Kaiser, and a 153-yard, one-TD night (10 carries) against Roosevelt. His other century-mark efforts were against Nanakuli (102, one TD) and Radford (127, one TD).

Waika Alapai, Kauai
Attempts:
Yards:
TD:
Yards per game:
Yards per carry:
Receptions-Yards-TD:
Yards per reception:
Notable: Complete stats are not available, but the 6-2, 235-pound senior showed what he’s capable of when he can suit up and get on the field for an extended stretch. He had 151 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries against King Kekaulike. Against Kapaa, his former school, he went for 131 yards and a TD. But he missed practice time late in the season and was limited to two carries in the state-tournament loss to Radford. There may not be a more talented, natural athlete in the state.

Reggie McFadden, Kauai
Attempts:
Yards:
TD:
Yards per game:
Yards per carry:
Receptions-Yards-TD:
Yards per reception:
Notable: Complete stats are not available. McFadden suffered an ankle injury during the season. He rushed for 83 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries in the state-tourney loss to Radford.

John Kamoku, Konawaena
Attempts: 114
Yards: 1,196
TD: 21
Yards per game: 99.67
Yards per carry: 10.49
Receptions-Yards-TD: 7-302-5
Yards per reception: 43.57
Notable: When he was healthy, Kamoku was arguably the most dangerous playmaker in the state. He never had more than 16 carries in a game (for 46 yards and a touchdown in a gritty win over Kamehameha-Hawaii) until the rematch with KS-Hawaii. That night, the Wildcats went to Kamoku for 20 carries and he responded with 231 yards and two touchdowns. This was just one week after he had 200 yards and three TDs against Hawaii Prep. Five of his seven catches went for touchdowns. His 1,498 yards from scrimmage — 12.4 yards per touch — are astounding, but without him on the field, Konawaena suffered. He was injured in the loss to Nanakuli. He ran for a 69-yard touchdown against ‘Iolani, then sat with an injury as the Raiders rallied for a close win. In all, Kamoku sat out only one game entirely, and in the 12 he played in, he averaged a mere 10 touches per.

Jarrin Young, Kailua
Attempts: 61
Yards: 467
TD: 7
Yards per game: 116.8
Yards per carry: 7.66
Receptions-Yards-TD: 2-2-0
Yards per reception: 1.0
Notable: Of all the question marks this season, Young may have been the biggest one. He missed the opener against Kealakehe, then didn’t play in the final three games. It was a senior year that left Surfrider fans wondering and confused. Young played in just four games, gaining 95 yards and scoring twice against Moanalua. But after going for 68 yards and a touchdown against Kahuku, and then a career-high 266 yards and four TDs against Kaimuki, he didn’t play another down.

Paul-Andrew Rhoden, Campbell
Attempts: 90
Yards: 449
TD: 3
Yards per game: 48.89
Yards per carry: 4.72
Receptions-Yards-TD: 14-73-1
Yards per reception: 5.2
Notable: Rhoden seemed on his way to a breakout season after rushing for 72 yards against Kaiser and 80 against Kailua. But Aiea and Waipahu put a lid on the Sabers’ ground game, and a head injury against Waipahu kept him out against Mililani. He went for 108 yards and a touchdown against Leilehua, but didn’t surpass the 100-yard mark again. His value as a pass catcher was on display early; 10 of his 14 grabs were in the first three games.

Lennox Jones, Kealakehe
Attempts:
Yards:
TD:
Yards per game:
Yards per carry:
Receptions-Yards-TD:
Yards per reception:
Notable: Stats from two games against Keaau are missing, but Jones was phenomenal or most of the year. He had 635 yards and five TDs on just 71 carries (8.9 per) and caught 22 passes for 285 yards and a score. Jones did his job against Farrington, racing for 141 yards and two touchdowns (18 carries), and added two catches for 11 yards.

Malaeloa Liua, Anuenue
Attempts: 82
Yards: 421
TD: 3
Yards per game: 52.63
Yards per carry: 5.13
Receptions-Yards-TD: 1-16-0
Yards per reception: 16.0
Notable: While Kainalu Kaleo drew defenses to the middle, Liua worked the edge and had a breakout game against Kalani with 137 yards on 19 carries.

Kody Mento, ‘Iolani
Attempts: 56
Yards: 212
TD: 3
Yards per game: 42.4
Yards per carry: 3.79
Receptions-Yards-TD: 0-0-0
Yards per reception: 0.0
Notable: A midseason injury ended Mento’s season after five games. His single-game best was 89 yards and two touchdowns on just seven carries against Hawaii Prep.

Yuuya Kato, ‘Iolani
Attempts: 149
Yards: 869
TD: 12
Yards per game: 72.42
Yards per carry: 5.83
Receptions-Yards-TD: 20-283-4
Yards per reception: 14.2
Notable: The former defensive player became a full-time running back as a senior. When Kodi Mento went down with a knee injury, Kato stepped in and stepped up. He caught two touchdown passes against Saint Louis, and from the next week on, had at least 16 carries in every game but one. Kato reached the 100-yard mark five times, with a high of 155 yards on 26 carries against Pac-Five. His best game may have been against Lahainaluna in the D-II state title game: 103 rushing yards on 19 attempts and four catches for 76 yards.

Polikapu “P.J.” Liua, Kahuku
Attempts: 58
Yards: 409
TD: 5
Yards per game: 40.9
Yards per carry: 7.05
Receptions-Yards-TD: 8-104-1
Yards per reception: 13.0
Notable: Liua was a vital cog offensively against teams that stacked their defenses to stop tailback Aofaga Wily. He had 116 yards and two TDs against McKinley, then 96 yards and two TDs plus two catches for 34 yards against Farrington. The junior missed the state tournament due to an ankle/calf injury.

Mana Kahananui, Aiea
Attempts: 70
Yards: 394
TD: 8
Yards per game: 49.25
Yards per carry: 5.63
Receptions-Yards-TD: 2-0-0
Yards per reception: 0.0
Notable: His best game was against Leilehua, a 16-carry, 95-yard, two-TD effort.

Bobby Lum, Hawaii Prep
Attempts:
Yards:
TD:
Yards per game:
Yards per carry:
Receptions-Yards-TD:
Yards per reception:
Notable: Complete stats not available. (MIssing: Honokaa, KS-Hawaii, Honokaa again.) Lum was a beast for a team that improved drastically over the course of the season. Lum had 133 and 87 yards in two games against KS-Hawaii, and he had a career-high 221 yards in a 56-49 loss at Konawaena. He did not play against ‘Iolani in the Father Bray Classic. With three games of stats missing, Lum had 946 yards and nine touchdowns (8.7 per carry).

Keoni Tom-Millare, Pac-Five
Attempts: 150
Yards: 750
TD: 9
Yards per game: 79.13
Yards per carry: 5.1
Receptions-Yards-TD: 15-210-4
Yards per reception: 14.0
Notable: Stats for the game at Kauai are missing. Tom-Millare made the switch to running back, then quarterback this fall, helping the Wolfpack compete. He rushed for 150 yards and a TD in the first meeting with ‘Iolani. He had 158 yards and four touchdowns from scrimmage in a win over Damien. He later had a 227-yard, two-TD rushing game against Damien. He closed the season with 117 rushing yards and a touchdown against ‘Iolani.

Brandon Felisi, Nanakuli
Attempts:
Yards:
TD:
Yards per game:
Yards per carry:
Receptions-Yards-TD:
Yards per reception:
Notable: Stats against Kalaheo and Roosevelt are missing. What I have is this: 93 carries, 485 yards plus 14 receptions for 155 yards. In two games against OIA White champion Radford, he went for 109 yards and 101 yards, and he added six catches for 65 yards in the latter game. His high was 167 against Waialua. Nanakuli’s option attack was stifled in the D-II state tourney; Felisi had 11 carries for 23 yards against Konawaena and four carries for 13 yards against Lahainaluna.

Khade Paris, Nanakuli
Attempts: 93
Yards: 440
TD: 6
Yards per game: 76.7
Yards per carry: 5.61
Receptions-Yards-TD: 6-38-0
Yards per reception: 6.3
Notable: The stats for the Roosevelt game are missing. Paris, a fullback, had up-and-down stats as a result of his position. His best game was a 106-yard, two-TD night against Kalani. Or maybe it was the 114-yard, 1-TD state-tourney win at Konawaena. Lahainaluna knew enough about Paris that they stuffed the inside gap, limiting him to four carries and one yard in the D-II state semifinals.

Gavin Kim, Kalani
Attempts: 42
Yards: 298
TD: 4
Yards per game: 42.57
Yards per carry: 7.1
Receptions-Yards-TD: 22-292-2
Yards per reception: 13.27
Notable: Stats against Kapaa not available. Kim came into the season with a chance to explode, based on last year’s performance. But he had two touches against Waialua, just nine against Anuenue and never became the go-to guy. He had 13 carries (82 yards) and five catches (60 yards) against Nanakuli, but he never got more than nine touches the rest of the season — a puzzling reality for an otherwise productive offense. At 9.2 yards per touch, he was one of the most effective players at the line of scrimmage.

Jemery Willes, Waianae
Attempts: 127
Yards: 493
TD: 10
Yards per game: 53.89
Yards per carry: 3.94
Receptions-Yards-TD: 3-26-0
Yards per reception: 3.0
Notable: Waianae’s renewed ground attack benefited Willes, who had season highs of 31 carries, 140 yards and three TDs against then-No. 10 Campbell. He had a 116-yard game against Kailua in a playoff win, but was shackled by Kahuku (16 yards, 14 carries).

Alakai Kealoha, Waianae
Attempts: 97
Yards: 656
TD: 5
Yards per game: 65.6
Yards per carry: 6.76
Receptions-Yards-TD: 12-82-1
Yards per reception: 6.8
Notable: Kealoha’s power inside complemented teammate Jemery Willes’ speed to the perimeter as the Seariders revved up by midseason. He had four games in a row with at least 80 rushing yards in the stretch run before eventual state champ Kahuku shut down the Seariders and Kealoha (four carries, two yards).

Shaun Kagawa, Kamehameha-Hawaii
Attempts:
Yards:
TD:
Yards per game:
Yards per carry:
Receptions-Yards-TD:
Yards per reception:
Notable: Complete stats not available. Kagawa, a shutdown corner who played some linebacker, receiver and running back, had 128 yards in a win at Honokaa and 97 in a victory over Hawaii Prep.

David Fangupo, Kealakehe
Attempts:
Yards:
TD:
Yards per game:
Yards per carry:
Receptions-Yards-TD:
Yards per reception:
Notable: Complete stats not available. The 6-2, 348-pound fullback had a season-high 193 yards and two touchdowns against Keaau.

Kaulana Apelu, Kamehameha
Attempts: 98
Yards: 635
TD: 7
Yards per game: 70.56
Yards per carry: 6.48
Receptions-Yards-TD: 3-45-0
Yards per reception: 15.0
Notable: The sophomore found his groove by midseason and peaked with a 145-yard, one-TD effort in a win over Saint Louis.

Chris Jackson, Radford
Attempts: 159
Yards: 823
TD: 7
Yards per game: 63.3
Yards per carry: 5.18
Receptions-Yards-TD: 23-361-3
Yards per reception: 15.7
Notable: The versatile senior was one of the top pass-catching running backs in the state. He had a season-high 168 yards rushing and three grabs for 69 receiving yards against Kalani. A late-season ankle injury, however, diminished his contributions in the D-II state tourney.

Semisi Filikitonga, Lahainaluna
Attempts: 70
Yards: 500
TD: 5
Yards per game: 45.45
Yards per carry: 7.14
Receptions-Yards-TD:
Yards per reception:
Notable: Luna ballcarriers share the load, but his 7.1-yards-per-carry average sticks out. Also played outside linebacker/defensive end.

Jared Rocha-Isalas, Lahainaluna
Attempts: 85
Yards: 462
TD: 3
Yards per game: 42.0
Yards per carry: 5.44
Receptions-Yards-TD:
Yards per reception:
Notable: Was very productive in the D-II state tourney, going for 76 yards against Nanakuli and 106 in the final against ‘Iolani.

Tytus Lucas, Lahainaluna
Attempts: 52
Yards: 396
TD: 4
Yards per game: 36.0
Yards per carry: 7.62
Receptions-Yards-TD: 12-172-3
Yards per reception: 14.3
Notable: Highly versatile on defense and offense, one of the MIL’s top receivers, but also a key ballcarrier for the Lunas. Rushed for 133 yards in D-II state-tourney games against Nanakuli and ‘Iolani, averaging more than 12 yards per carry.

RECEIVERS
Kanawai Noa, Punahou
Receptions: 63
Yards: 1,305
TD: 15
Yards per reception: 20.71
Yards per game: 145.0
Notable: All this in just nine games. His touchdowns: 55, 5, 44, 40, 9, 37, 45, 67, 1, 44, 69, 14, 35, 67, 9, 68. Had he played against Kamehameha — Punahou sat 17 starters in a game that had no bearing on the ILH standings — he likely would’ve broken the school’s single-season yardage record. (That mark is held by Robby Toma, 85-1,388-18 in 2008, and Noa would’ve passed Miah Ostrowski, 81-1,317-9 in ’06.) Noa had a TD in every game he played except for the last, the D-I state title game loss to Kahuku. But think about it — 15 TDs in 63 catches. He did his best work against Top 10 foes: 7-105-1 against Kahuku (preseason), 8-178-1 vs. Kamehameha (the first meeting), 8-198-2 against Saint Louis, 11-229-1 vs. Mililani.

Daicorri Briscoe, Pearl City
Receptions: 33
Yards: 715
TD: 7
Yards per reception: 21.67
Yards per game: 119.17
Notable: Briscoe played in six of the Chargers’ eight games, missing two games due to disciplinary action. His biggest output was against Nanakuli (9-198-2), and after Brock Teixeira took over at QB, Briscoe didn’t have a game with less than 106 receiving yards. Like Pearl City’s season — they got hot late and barely missed the OIA White playoffs — it was a big ‘what if?’ kind of year for Briscoe.

Dylan Pakau, Waipahu
Receptions: 33
Yards: 791
TD: 9
Yards per reception: 23.96
Yards per game: 113.0
Notable: In just seven games, Pakau posted big numbers despite playing in an option-oriented run offense. He did it against the OIA Red West, arguably the toughest division top to bottom: 4-132-1 vs. Kapolei, 3-90-1 vs. Campbell, 4-163-2 vs. Aiea, 7-110-1 vs. Leilehua, 5-123-1 vs. Mililani. The only team to contain him (somewhat) was Waianae (5-36-1). He also had a 5-137-2 game against ‘Iolani. He missed the finale against Moanalua (playoff) due to injury. Also didn’t play in the opener against Pac-Five. Finally, I mention reception-to-touchdown ratios a few times here. Of all the receivers who seemed to score almost every time they touched a football, none scored as often — per catch — as Pakau. Nine TDs in 33 receptions is a touchdown in less than 4 grabs.

Christian Clapp, Kaiser
Receptions: 36
Yards: 709
TD: 6
Yards per reception: 19.69
Yards per game: 70.9
Notable: Mr. Reliable, always ready to do his part. Clapp had a string of five games in a row with a touchdown catch. Had highs of eight receptions for 120 yards against Kalaheo. In a more prominent role, he probably would’ve doubled his numbers. He never quite went off with a monster game at any point, but was extremely consistent. It’s too bad, with Kai Gonda injured during a playoff game against Nanakuli, Clapp didn’t get more looks. He finished that game with one grab for five yards.

Kenan Gapsar, Konawaena
Receptions:
Yards:
TD:
Yards per reception:
Yards per game:
Notable: Some stats are missing (HPA 9/22, KS-Hawaii 9/29), but Gapsar’s numbers are still impressive. he had 31 receptions for 799 yards and 10 touchdowns. That’s a whopping 25.77 yards per catch. He also had a big game against Nanakuli in the D-II state tourney with four catches for 121 yards.

Domonic Morris, Konawaena
Receptions: 35
Yards: 840
TD: 13
Yards per reception: 22.75
Yards per game: 70.0
Notable: A consistent deep threat, Morris was hampered by a leg injury midway through the season, but came back to net seven receptions for 156 yards and two touchdowns against HPA. He also had three grabs for 112 yards against Nanakuli, but like teammate Kenan Gaspar, Morris was kept out of the end zone. Also, he didn’t post a catch against KS-Hawaii’s lockdown cornerback, Shaun Kagawa, in both meetings, though Konawaena coach Cliff Walters complained about overly physical coverage. His rate of one touchdown for less than three catches is ridiculously productive and ranks first among D-II pass catchers not named John Kamoku.

Fano Tuisila, Kaimuki
Receptions: 34
Yards: 427
TD: 3
Yards per reception: 12.56
Yards per game: 53.38
Notable: Despite the Bulldogs’ youthful struggles, he was a source of offensive production against Aiea (3-90-1), Damien (4-55-1), McKinley (6-60) and Kailua (8-85-1). Like most receivers, though, he was blanketed by Kahuku (1-8).

Chad Hanaoka, ‘Iolani
Receptions: 63
Yards: 694
TD: 10
Yards per reception: 11.02
Yards per game: 57.83
Notable: The junior came through in a season-opening comeback win over Konawaena while primary target Tanner Nishioka was away on a baseball trip. Hanaoka had six catches for 91 yards and two touchdowns in that game and hasn’t eased up at all. His transition into the starting lineup was crucial to the Raiders’ pass-first offense, and he was at his best with six grabs for 50 yards and a career-high three touchdowns in the state final against Lahainaluna.

Kamakana Apelu, Aiea
Receptions: 27
Yards: 444
TD: 2
Yards per reception: 16.44
Yards per game: 55.5
Notable: The junior was brilliant in the season opener against Kaimuki with a long TD catch and a long punt return for another score. The highlights from that point on, though, weren’t as plentiful. He had a seven-catch, 112-yard performance against Waianae, but had only one other game with more than 37 receiving yards.

Jeremy Tabuyo, Saint Louis
Receptions: 50
Yards: 777
TD: 11
Yards per reception: 15.54
Yards per game: 77.7
Notable: Less than a year after an ACL injury, Tabuyo did the near-impossible by running a 4.34 in the 40 at the PIAA combine in May. Then he opened the football season with nine catches for 139 yards and two touchdowns against Farrington. The bulk of his touchdowns came in two games against ‘Iolani (four) and Kamehameha (four). He hit the 100-yard mark four times in all, but had some oddly low yardage outputs in several games, including the final three games when he had 49 (Pac-Five), 40 (Kamehameha) and 48 (Punahou). Maybe it was the back-and-forth of the quarterbacks. Maybe it was simply defensive game plans designed to take Tabuyo out of the picture. Maybe it was both.

Chase Kanekuni, ‘Iolani
Receptions: 33
Yards: 456
TD: 2
Yards per reception: 13.82
Yards per game: 38.0
Notable: Along with Hanaoka, Kanekuni was another first-year starting receiver who made an impact as the Raiders won their sixth D-II state title in a row. He quietly had a productive season, though he had a huge six-catch, 130-yard, one-touchdown game against Konawaena with Nishioka out of the lineup. After that, he didn’t have another game with more than 44 receiving yards.

Nainoa Frank, Kalaheo
Receptions: 23
Yards: 454
TD: 3
Yards per reception: 19.74
Yards per game: 64.86
Notable: Stats from the opener against Damien are not available. The 6-foot-6 All-State volleyball player was a steady producer, though the Mustangs didn’t throw the ball a whole lot. Frank never had more than five catches in a single game, but always had at least two. He didn’t play in the playoff matchup with Radford due to injury.

Keoni Piceno, Leilehua
Receptions: 72
Yards: 709
TD: 4
Yards per reception: 9.85
Yards per game: 70.9
Notable: No other player had as many catches as Piceno, a true possession receiver. He had 11 grabs for 102 yards against Waipahu and a career-high 16 snags for 155 yards against Aiea. He was often the main target on first-down plays for quarterback Justin Jenks.

Kainoa Abreu, Saint Louis
Receptions: 21
Yards: 274
TD: 4
Yards per reception: 13.05
Yards per game: 54.8
Notable: The promising wideout played in just six games. He had three catches for 34 yards and a touchdown against Baldwin in game 2, but nobody could’ve seen what was coming against Bishop Gorman in game 3. he had seven receptions for 104 yards and three touchdowns, all in the second half, as the Saints racked up 40 points after intermission. With Ryder Kuhns at quarterback, Abreu seemed to be on the verge of a breakout. But he had just two catches for 17 yards the following week against ‘Iolani, the missed games against Punahou and Damien. He never eclipsed the 60-yard mark the rest of the year, playing in only two more games.

Zac Bastatas, Kaimuki
Receptions: 7
Yards: 164
TD: 3
Yards per reception: 23.4
Yards per game: 82.0
Notable: Normally, a player who plays in only two games won’t get my attention, but this is different. Despite having a new starting quarterback, Bastatas was a playmaker: four grabs for 89 yards and a touchdown against Damien, then three catches for 75 yards and a touchdown against McKinley before an injured collarbone ended his season. He was the type of receiver who could go up and attack the ball with his vertical leap and body control. Kaimuki’s offense missed him tremendously.

Erren Jean-Pierre, Mililani
Receptions: 45
Yards: 669
TD: 8
Yards per reception: 14.87
Yards per game: 51.46
Notable: The Trojans banked on quarterback Jarin Morikawa and a short passing game, but someone had to be the deep threat and Jean-Pierre filled the role well. His season high in yardage was 105 yards on four catches with a touchdown against Campbell. He also scored two touchdowns against Farrington and another two in the state semifinals against Punahou.

Tanner Nishioka, ‘Iolani
Receptions: 65
Yards: 844
TD: 14
Yards per reception: 12.98
Yards per game: 76.73
Notable: A disciplined, four-wide offense meant that the Raiders usually didn’t force-feed their best receiver. Nishioka still had some huge games, though, because there were still a few defenses will to gamble and leave him in single coverage. He had nine grabs for 108 yards and three touchdowns in a come-from-behind win at Waipahu. He had seven receptions for 105 yards and a touchdown against Saint Louis. His career high 15 catches (175 yards, three touchdowns) came against Kamehameha. After that remarkable effort, defenses locked down and Nishioka didn’t have more than 55 receiving yards for the next four games. He came alive in the D-II state tourney against Radford (8-125-1) and Lahainaluna (8-134-2). His success within the controls of the offense, against both D-I and D-II powerhouses, was a rare feat, indeed.

Alii Pedrina, Kamehameha
Receptions: 14
Yards: 236
TD: 2
Yards per reception: 16.86
Yards per game: 47.2
Notable: It was a season of ‘what could’ve been’ for the talented senior. He sat out four games at midseason (disciplinary action), and though Kamehameha went 3-1 without him, that loss was the team’s second in league play and wound up putting them out of contention. Pedrina returned for the final two games and had a memorable performance against Punahou, which had already clinched the ILH title. He had two touchdown catches, but became a valuable contributor at running back after an injury to Kaulana Apelu. His 72 yards on 10 carries, plus a touchdown, was an impressive display of versatility.

Tyrell Tuiasosopo, McKinley
Receptions: 21
Yards: 335
TD: 2
Yards per reception: 15.95
Yards per game: 41.88
Notable: Stats from the La Salle (Ore.) game not available. The junior also started at defensive back. His longest play from scrimmage: an 84-yard bomb for a touchdown against Farrington.

Devan Stubblefield, Saint Louis
Receptions: 23
Yards: 364
TD: 2
Yards per reception: 15.83
Yards per game: 36.4
Notable: Frankly, I expected a breakout year for Stubblefield with defenses focusing on Tabuyo. But Stubblefield was just another cog in the machine, another receiver in a deep rotation. He had a stunning 88-yard kick return for a touchdown against Farrington in the opener, but the bulk of his remaining games were moderate at best. He didn’t have a game with more than 44 receiving yards until a five-catch, 86-yard, one-TD game against Kamehameha the week before the season finale.

Kawehena Johnson, Kahuku
Receptions: 20
Yards: 443
TD: 5
Yards per reception: 22.15
Yards per game: 36.92
Notable: He saw spot duty on offense, but it’s worth knowing what he did as a receiver in addition to his stalwart play at safety and special teams. Five touchdowns on 20 catches is a very good ratio. Consider that Kanawai Noa had 15 TDs in 63 receptions, a rate that is ever so slightly lower than Johnson’s. Doesn’t mean that Johnson would’ve had similar or better numbers with the same number of targets, or that he would’ve produced even more than Noa if he had been a Punahou wide receiver. But it is worth considering precisely how valuable Johnson was in so many different ways.

Donald Lambert, Moanalua
Receptions: 35
Yards: 537
TD: 9
Yards per reception: 15.34
Yards per game: 53.7
Notable: As first-year starting QB Micah Kaneshiro developed, Lambert’s opportunities multiplied. The junior reached the 100-yard mark against Castle (7-107-3) and McKinley (7-145-3), but defenses smothered him in the final three games (Kahuku, Waipahu, Leilehua).

Ekolu Ramos, Mililani
Receptions: 51
Yards: 715
TD: 10
Yards per reception: 14.02
Yards per game: 71.5
Notable: The springy, elasticky Ramos had a knack for snatching the ball out of mid-air, usually high up in space, to give the Trojans another deep threat when necessary. His season highs of seven catches and 116 yards came against Campbell, on the road.

Enrique Gruver, Kalani
Receptions: 27
Yards: 531
TD: 4
Yards per reception: 19.67
Yards per game: 106.2
Notable: Stats against Kapaa not available. He sat three games with injury and played in only five. Still, he made his mark. His single-game high in receiving yardage was against Anuenue (158) and he had a high of 10 receptions (138 yards, two touchdowns) against Pearl City. Kalani was in contention for a playoff berth in the regular-season finale at Kaiser, but Gruver was sidelined by a knee injury.

Isaac Amorin, Pearl City
Receptions: 27
Yards: 587
TD: 10
Yards per reception: 21.41
Yards per game: 78.5
Notable: He got his chance to shine at the midway point of the season when Briscoe was on a two-game suspension. Amorin had seven catches for 194 yards and five touchdowns against Roosevelt, then had four grabs for 131 yards and two touchdowns against Anuenue. When Briscoe returned, Amorin finished the season modestly against Kalaheo (2-42-1) and Kalani (3-74-1).

Tanner Tokunaga, Pearl City
Receptions: 39
Yards: 558
TD: 4
Yards per reception: 14.07
Yards per game: 68.0
Notable: Already a standout baseball player, Tokunaga made his mark on the gridiron with a big game against Nanakuli (8-148-1), the first of his three 100-yard games.

Noah Willey, Punahou
Receptions: 26
Yards: 378
TD: 6
Yards per reception: 14.54
Yards per game: 34.36
Notable: The 6-4 senior had season highs with five catches for 69 yards and three touchdowns against Kamehameha. That came with backup QB Luke Morris playing for Tuileta, one of 17 backups who started. Willey did his work against Kamehameha’s normal first team.

Keanu Chee, Punahou
Receptions: 24
Yards: 289
TD: 0
Yards per reception: 12.04
Yards per game: 28.0
Notable: The senior had his best game in the first (nonconference) meeting with Kahuku (6-84-0).

Jameson Pasigan, Radford
Receptions: 53
Yards: 775
TD: 11
Yards per reception: 14.44
Yards per game: 65.54
Notable: The sophomore had a steady season. He had 100-plus yards in three of his first six games before defenses closed in to an extent. After a string of five games with no more than 55 yards, Pasigan had a big game against Kauai (9-92-1) and a good outing against ‘Iolani (6-77).

Preston Sinn, Mililani
Receptions: 33
Yards: 422
TD: 2
Yards per reception: 12.79
Yards per game:
Notable: I don’t know where Sinn was in the first four weeks, but he busted out with five catches for 112 yards against Kapolei and was a key piece in Mililani’s offense after that.

Austin Gerard, Kamehameha
Receptions: 30
Yards: 517
TD: 4
Yards per reception: 17.23
Yards per game: 57.44
Notable: He scored on touchdown passes in three consecutive games (Leilehua, Kealakehe, Punahou), but that streak ended the same week Pedrina began his suspension. Gerard still had his finest game, however, against Saint Louis (7-145-1).

Brannon Bantolina, Campbell
Receptions: 27
Yards: 382
TD: 3
Yards per reception: 14.15
Yards per game: 38.2
Notable: Longest catch, 64-yard TD against Mililani.

Josh Jenks, Leilehua
Receptions: 44
Yards: 337
TD: 2
Yards per reception: 7.66
Yards per game: 30.64
Notable: The senior had his high in receptions with eight against Mililani. His two touchdowns came against Kamehameha, the same night he had a season-high in receiving yardage (55).

Kainoa Wilson, Mililani
Receptions: 47
Yards: 561
TD: 2
Yards per reception: 11.94
Yards per game: 43.15
Notable: Twice, Wilson had eight receptions in a game (Moanalua, Waipahu), and he had a single-game high of 112 yards against Kapolei. He had a reception in each of Mililani’s 13 games. (Edit Dec. 19: He had two TD grabs against Campbell, none in the four games before that and none in the eight contests after that. He was a terrific secondary target for Jarin Morikawa. Or he would’ve been a very good first option in a different scenario.)

Colton Dayacos-Gaspar, Mililani
Receptions: 46
Yards: 356
TD: 1
Yards per reception: 7.74
Yards per game:
Notable: There are four games that I’m not certain about for Dayacos-Gaspar. He may have been injured. But in the nine games he played, he proved to be another reliable target for Jarin Morikawa, a true possession receiver in a ball-control offense. His high

Sheldon Pagba, Moanalua
Receptions: 21
Yards: 416
TD: 5
Yards per reception: 19.81
Yards per game: 41.6
Notable: Pagba was a true dynamo, a touchdown maker despite the relatively low number of receptions. At just over four catches for every touchdown, he’s in the same territory with Kawehena Johnson and Kanawai Noa among Division I players. All of them are a notch below Dylan Pakau in terms of ratio, but as a whole this is a special group.

Jon-Michael Sharsh, Moanalua
Receptions: 36
Yards: 365
TD: 6
Yards per reception: 10.14
Yards per game: 36.5
Notable: Of all the shifty playmakers out there this fall, none reminded me of Chad Owens as much as Sharsh. Not to say he is the next Mighty Mouse, but his ability to make the most out of anything — seizing opportunities — was impressive. His teammate, Pagba, has that trait, as well. Sharsh didn’t have the big-play mojo of Pagba, but his consistency was real. At one point, he had four straight games with three receptions in each. He never had more than 31 receiving yards in a game until a 5-82 game against Kaimuki. Then he never got that high again in the final four games — with one exception. He had a 7-118-2 night against eventual state champ Kahuku. It was Kahuku’s reserves, for the most part, but 7-118-2 against anything in red named Kahuku is, well, notable.

A few more names to think about …

Blaise Manabe, Kalani — 30-273-2, only a junior
Jayce Bantolina, Campbell — 21-311-4, only a sophomore
Trent Sitar, Punahou — junior

There are many more quality receivers with similar stats. (Part of that group includes Kyle Urusaki of Castle, Jerrick Taboada of Saint Louis, Micah Kaimana of Kailua, Alton Julius of Kapolei, Nick Rodriguez of Leilehua, Pookela Nakamoto of Waianae, Justin Ikei of Kaiser, Shem Sukumaran of Kalaheo.)

I’ll catch up with the numbers eventually. The key is that you, the voter, have access to the numbers of the top players, the All-State candidates. I included the stats of other players who are probably not going to get a lot of votes for one reason: to get a sense of perspective. A way to compare. To see the real production of someone you may have thought had a much bigger year. Or to see the big numbers of someone you may have thought didn’t have much of a season.

It’s not all about numbers, of course, but it’s data. It’s fact. It’s not subject to faulty memories or misidentification. It’s a starting point.

Paul Honda, Star-Advertiser