With the First Hawaiian Bank / HHSAA state football championships coming up on Friday, let’s play a little bit of extreme fantasy football.
The difference in this, however, is that is is completely and utterly subjective from the beginning to the end.
The big game got us to thinking, what would a matchup of all-time teams for Kahuku and Saint Louis look like? What if they all gathered together in their prime, took over the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Park and played a game?
First of all, legends like Ducky Swan (First-team ILH from 1922-24) and Louis Santiago (first team OIA 1957-59) would not recognize the game and would probably be mistaken for ball boys. Size matters these days, but Squirmin’ Herman Wedemeyer probably could still excel.
Anyway, here is the completely subjective all time teams for each school. It is all a matter of opinion, instead of blasting the selections try to comment below which team would win this fracas. Kahuku is awash in great defensive backs, but could they contain Welch, Ornellas and Apuna? Could anyone?
Are Joe Siofele, Ikaika Curnan and Peter Salavea stout enough to stop Mark Atuaia and Aofaga Wily?
Both teams are running split backs on offense and a 4-3 on defense. If you must criticize the highly subjective selections, remember that for every player you want to add you must take another out. Selections were made with all-state selections taking precedence in years there were all-state teams, followed by all-league selections and personal preference as a tiebreaker.
Let’s play ball. Who do you have?
Saint Louis
QB: Timmy Chang, 98-99
RB: Pesefea Fiaseu, 99-00
RB: Herman Wedemeyer, 41-42
REC: Gerald Welch, 97-99
REC: George Ornellas, 93-94
REC: Wayne Apuna, 77-78
OL: Tasi Malepeai, 90-91
OL: Dominic Raiola, 95-96
OL: Barney Joy, 25-27
OL: Olin Kreutz, 93-94
OL: Roy Maafala, 89-90
DL: Tolifili Liufau, 01-02
DL: Tony Tata, 96-97
DL: Wilson Afoa, 02
DL: Silila Malepeai, 88-89
LB: Joe Siofele, 97-98
LB: Ikaika Curnan, 99-00
LB: Peter Salavea, 93-94
DB: Ducky Swan, 22-24
DB: Wes Tufaga, 95-96
DB: Una Latu, 98-99
DB: Jonah Lakatani, 01-02
Toughest choices were at second running back where Ed Kini and Neal Blaisdell were strong. Other tough choices were Chang over Darnell Arceneaux, not being able to squeeze Micah Matsuzaki in at a loaded receiver corps, Roy Maafala over Fred Ulu Perry (if only FUP had played in states), Silila Malepeai over Vavae Tata (they are essentially the same guy), and Peter Salavea over Timo Paepule. Wayne Lewis was a tough snub at defensive back and Tyson Alualu was a force at D-Line.
Kahuku
QB: Inoke Funaki, 00-01
RB: Mark Atuaia, 89-90
RB: Aofaga Wily, 10-12
REC: Itula Mili, 89-90
REC: Spencer Hafoka, 03-04
REC: Louis Santiago, 57-59
OL: Benji Kemoeatu, 06-07
OL: Famika Anae, 49-50
OL: John Waa, 10-12
OL: Wayne Fonoimoana, 71-72
OL: Jeremy Perry, 03
DL: Chris Kemoeatu, 00
DL: Jonathan Mapu, 99-01
DL: Wayde Lindsey, 68-69
DL: Kaniela Tuipolotu, 05-06
LB: Hauoli Jamora, 09
LB: Ben Mamea, 09-10
LB: Kautai Olevao, 93-94
DB: Shiloah Teo, 06-07
DB: Al Afalava, 03-04
DB: Kawe Johnson, 11-12
DB: Stevie Laulu, 93-94
Apologies to Chris Naeole, Walter Santiago and Walker Vave in particular. It hurts that my favorite offensive player in Hawaii high school history, Mulivai Pula, didn’t make it, maybe he can be the kick returner.
I call this leading with my chin. Paul Honda calls it opening Pandora’s Box. Fire away.
Put Keala Santiago as WR in place of his grandpops
Replace Aofaga with his little Bro Salanoa as a FB
Nai Fotu replace Ben Mamea at LB
Maake Keomeatu needs to be on that Dline
Chris Naole on the Oline, there was a reason Marky had wide open holes.
also toniu fonoti on the oline
replace shilo teo with aaron francisco at Db. Add Leonard peters for speed at db. put kawe as the wes welker slot
No offense to Faga Man but Jason Keo and Mulivai Pula probably belong up there. And R.I.P Benji K. but Toniu and Nae’ole were monsters.
All deserving no doubt!
Yeah…I ain’t even going there. All were fine athletes. There are too many ways to make this list. Would have loved to see the original Katoosh Man Henry Crawford on this list…somewhere, if just for the Kick Off.
Sorry, but Chris Maafala needs to be on that list for St. Louis.
At RB, St Louis is gonna need Chris Ma’afala against Kahuku. How could you leave him out?!!!
Thanks, Hi808, like I said it is all subjective.
1. Grandad was a three time first team OIA All-Star, one of the very few.
2. I agree, a fullback would make more sense but this is kinda an all-star team and Faga can’t be denied.
3. Nai Fotu was a stud and would fit into a Kahuku scheme, but I kinda stuck myself in the 4-3 for both teams.
4. I don’t know what to make of Maake, he doesn’t show up on any all-state or all-league teams.
5. Naeole was the toughest choice, he had one outstanding year as far as league all-stars were concerned. I am still not sure I am convinced on John Wa’a over Naeole but Wa’a was first team OIA twice to Naeole’s once. We all know how flawed league teams are, but I needed something to go by.
Fonoti is also tough, but like I wrote, you have to take some off to put some in. He has the same all-star accomplishments as Naeole.
But we’re just having fun. Here is a list of Fonotis who have excelled in football in Hawaii over the years:
Junior, 83 STL
Toga, 91 Aiea
Chris, 95 STL
Fabian, 96 STL
Mose, 97 Waianae
Raymond, 97 Aiea
Richard, 98 Aiea
Toniu, 98 Kahuku
Vaa, 00 McKinley
Taualai, 01 STL
Fetaiagogo, 03 Farrington
Alan, 06 Aiea
Rylen, 09 Aiea
Stansen, 13 Waianae
@SimpleSimon
Read my mind bro
—————–Salanoa Wily(FB)—–Mark Atuaia(RB)—–
——————————Inoke Funaki(QB)—————————————
Kawe Johnson(WR)———————————–Keala Santiago(WR)—Jared Keo(WR)
–Toniu Fonoti(T)—Chris Kemoatu(G)–Jeremy Perry(C)—Chris Naole(G)–Tavo Tupola(T)
—–Haoli Jamora(DL)—-Maake Kemoatu(DL)—JT Mapu(DL)—Nai Fotu(DL)
–Henry Crawford(LB)——————Kautai Olevao(LB)————-Stanley Moleni(LB)—-
———Leonard Peters(DB)——-Al Afalava(DB)—Aaron Francisco(DB)—Walker Vave(DB)
Ma’afala is certainly needed, but to put someone on you have to take someone off and Fiaseu and Wedemeyer are kinda hard to push off. Fiaseu got in over Fu because he was an all-state player of the year.
I’d replace Tuipulotu with Jr. Ah You on the D Line and Franscico and Ray Galeai Sr. Would take Afalava and Laulu’s spot(sorry stunnah). Johnson would also be replaced by Soliai at SS. Starting O line would be Masoe at Center Kemoeatu and Fonoti at Gaurd and Anae and Naeole at tackle.
@88
Nice, The Doc…Nice
@88 What Masoe?
I don’t go by all star lists, only by what my eyes tell me. I would go Arceneaux at QB. Gotta put Fonoti. Btw, isn’t he 99? And, how about Mailo? Brothers one at OT the other LB?
yep, should be a great classic game and like it sure make sense with all them football greatness of the past and good reason why that someone who posted like new era and yet an all new Hawaii All Stars versus Kahuku Red Raiders come this Friday;…mahalo for what it takes….no offense OK.
Jerry Company got to leave stl to stl football, run and shoot n the 5-2/3-4 D. Here’s my 1st n 2nd teams for stl. Goin with the guys who started this gangsta sh@t!! lol
QB John Hao, Timmy Chang
RB. Tupu Alualu, Chris Fuamatu Maafala
SB. George Ornallas, C. Cabunac
SB. Gerald Welch, CraigvStuzman
WR. Fili Falefa, Kaipo Mcguire
WR. Micha Matsuzaki, Brenden Agbayani
OT Roy Maafala,
G. Jason Scanlan
C. Dominic Riola,
G. Tasi Malepeai
OT. Olin Krutz
N Silila Malepeai, Vili Maumau
DE Tony Tata, Vae Tata
DE. Andrew Toeina, Troy Baily
OLB George Noga, Eli Thompson
OLB. Manley Williams, Nalei Cox
ILB. Kalei Kaanoi, Peter Salavea
ILB. Jacob Yoro, Barrow
CB. Mark Achohido, Craig Miki
CB. Kawika Batoon,
SS. Ricky Tong, R. Pagion
FS. Wes Tufaga, Una Latu
Eli Thompson was a stud RIP. Jason Scanlan, Vili Maumau were studs as well. All Class of 93.
Yup Eli was the man. I was chilling with Tupu & Afatia the other month while Afa was performing. We was talking about chilling back in the day with Steely too…
No jason rivers or mulivai pula?
As for StL CBs, don’t forget about Al Hunter, he earned a full ride to UH back in 93′. Shoots!
1966-1968 Jim Nicholson and Howard Dunham Why aren’t they on the list?
6’8″ and 6’6″ best athletes ever out of St. Louis, get your story straight.
I aplaud you for trying to do this but there so much years and variables that come into play. All listed from SLHS are great choices.
What about the late 60s to early 70s? SLHS Jim Nicholson ’68, Gary Campbell ’71 Kaipo Spencer ’71 to say the few. Subjective is an understatement if you gonna select the best from STL! The ’70-71 team was arguably the one of the best teams out of SLHS.
Also what about Harold Stringert, Harris Matsushima, Brian Hanawahine.
That would be Fuli Masoe. I would also plug in Vaioleti on the DLine and sit Mamea in favor of Vandiola or Yamauchi at LB.
Toele Faamoe was a beast too on O and D Line.
Probably a little off subject here but all these great players gonna need a coach lol!!!
Famika Anae got my vote
@88 dang, i didn’t know Tu’ufuli was dat beast. Good stuff.
Hey Jerry, is Manti Te’o included in this mix? He played his freshman year at Kahuku before going back to Punahou.
No, it is largely based on All-State or All-League honors while at Kahuku or Saint Louis. That’s why guys like Maake and Jim Nicholson did not appear.
Player/coach. I never knew until last week that he was a two time OIA All Star.
All of them were considered, but maybe not considered enough. I have read a lot about Nicholson lately and am fine with him behind Welch, Ornellas and Apuna.
Because this list isn’t an all-time basketball list, Fletcher. From what I read, Nicholson was a force as a pass catcher but his lone ILH first team award in football doesn’t cut it. Most other schools he would be there, but not Saint Louis.
Mulivai Pula was easily my biggest cut, I wrote about it on my facebook page. But Atuaia and Aofaga Wily are all-time greats. Using the guidelines I used, I was surprised Rivers didn’t make it.
Great list, FB fan, I agree that Cal Lee is not about to start a second running back over a fourth receiver but I didn’t want to make this fun exercise more complicated.
Yep, AOK, we all have our own ways of doing this subjective list. That’s what makes it fun. Chang vs. Arceneaux was a deadlock.
Great team, NSfootball, I wasn’t about to assign positions to offensive linemen. I think i commented somewhere else that I couldn’t put Keala over his grandpa, much less put him on offense. But we all have our own way of doing things.
So Jeremy, just for fun who would you pick to win?
HOW CAN PEOPLE FORGET MARCUS MARIOTA. KID IS THE MOST SUCCESSFUL HAWAII QB IN HISTORY. ID TAKE HIM OVER CHANG AND ANY OTHER STL QB ANYDAY. EVEN ARCENEAX SAID MARIOTA IS BETTER THAN HIM AND CHANG COULDNT EVEN MAKE IT IN THE PROS.
And how can you leave Chris Naeole, a Probowl NFL lineman, out over guys that didn’t make it at all. If you want to talk about primes, Naeole’s peak is way higher than those listed.
Sure, but interesting topic overall.
Seems the Dunham/ Nicholson era 1966-68 dominated any era, hoops and football. Dunham was the star receiver, Nicholson (lineman) played 8 years in the NFL. Two white guys over 6’5″ @ St. Louis, what a story!
There are many ways to make a list like this, and this one was made with high school career in mind. Sure, Mariota is better than Chang now, or maybe even during their senior years. But Chang did it over two years, earning all state and all league in both (same as Arceneaux), while Mariota only did it for one. If I did this solely based on my opinion it would have take a lot longer and not been as solid because my Ducky Swan years are fuzzy.
Same for Naeole. I don’t think anyone would dispute what he did after high school, but that isn’t the focus here. The other guys are multiple time state and league all stars. Naeole wasn’t, and I am fine in saying that that is probably the fault of the coaches and players who did the voting. It was close, believe me, judging Naeole’s stellar senior season (OIA East lineman of the year and all state for both papers) vs. someone like Famika Anae, but Anae won out because he was OIA first team twice. I am sure Naeole is fine with it.
Everyone on this board could make their own lists with their own methods and it wouldn’t bother me a bit. Just having fun while waiting for the big game.
Oh, you really don’t have to sell me on Dunnam and Nicholson, they certainly were dominant. It might have been politics or whatever, but coaches who voted all league in Nicholson’s junior season chose teammate Don Mahi and Kaimuki’s Gabriel Malani over him.
But really, I am with you on Nicholson. Fellow OG legend Randy Cadiente tells me how good Nicholson was every time we stroll together down a fairway and Curtis Murayama sits next to me at work and will talk about him for hours if I let him. Dave Reardon doesn’t agree with leaving him off, either. But those guys, like you, have a more intimate knowledge of the history of Hawaii football so I have to lean on accomplishments that I can look up in the library. That said, I still cant see him cracking Welch, Apuna and Ornellas although he could beat them 1-on-3 in hoops.
Great names on all lists. Wish we could load game film to Hudl. Would love to watch these guys “live” again.
People need to remember that just because someone was a “beast” in college or NFL, doesn’t mean they were “beast” in high school. Some of you make great cases but if you read and see what Campany explained how he came to his conclusions, you would not be asking those questions. READ THE BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol Plus he said it’s his opinion. If any of you got your own opinion, state it down here then we can all compare and bask your opinion LOL
Howie Dunnam never played football. Walter Wong would not allow that.
And Jim Nicholson didn’t play much his junior year due to injuries. Btw, Jim is the only prep athlete from HI to be name to prep All American teams im fb and bb.
Awesome article and its great to speculate who belongs where but that all depends on criteria and opinion. Great read and the even better reaction from fans. Keep it up, jogging many minds.
Sounds good!
Right on Jerry. Could’ve sworn my dad said Dunnam was a football all star. But we know Jim belongs on that list. Malepeai/ Kreutz/ R. Maafala/ Nicholson/ Raiola.
Aloha
Prior to the 70-71 SLH team there was also the back to back championship teams ’66 and ’67..Kaipo guys were freshmans that were just coming up..
Wow… Kaipo Spencer ’71. Wish I could get rosters back then. Tony Raiola was probably around 1972 I’m guessing. Hmm
Another cool view is 3 other your Saint Louis All-Stars are from the Kahuku Community, crazy talent out there!