If ‘Iolani has learned anything in the early season, it is a team which has two capable quarterbacks.
Senior Jonah Chong, last season’s starter, and junior Samuel Faumuina both had their moments in a 31-10 triumph over host Aiea in an OIA-ILH Division I game Friday.
Chong, a senior, received most of the playing time over the Raiders’ first two games, completing 15 of 30 passes for 261 yards and three touchdowns. Faumuina was 3-for-7 for 55 yards and a touchdown coming in.
Against Aiea, Faumuina came off the bench and completed nine of 14 passes for 135 yards and a touchdown, while Chong finished 6-for-13 for 51 yards and also rushed for a score. Chong played the first and third quarters and Faumuina played the second and fourth for ‘Iolani (2-1 overall, 1-1 ILH D-I).
As far as continuing with dual quarterbacks, ‘Iolani coach Wendell Look said: “I don’t know yet. We’ll see. Sam did a good job coming off the bench and moved the ball well. Jonah is the returning guy, so we’ll see what happens.”
Cole Ichikawa, a senior slotback, had praise for both quarterbacks.
“I trust both of them,” said Ichikawa, who caught five passes for 101 yards and a touchdown. “They both work really hard. They both bring different things to the table. I trust them and they make me look good.”
Ichikawa, who also scored on a punt return, is one of the top targets for Chong and Faumuina. Ichikawa, who is 5-foot-5 and 145 pounds, is one of ‘Iolani’s quickest players.
“He’s been the guy we need to depend on,” Look said. “He needs to make plays for us. He’s going to have to touch the ball.”
Last season, Chong completed 202 of 328 passes for 2,162 yards and 21 touchdowns, while Faumuina went eight of 16 for 90 yards and two touchdowns.
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