The Kauai Interscholastic Federation announced Friday its selections for this year’s football all stars as voted for by KIF coaches.
Most of the standouts listed come from KIF champion and Division II state runner-up Kapaa High School.
“I’m proud of them. That’s for sure. A lot of them, definitely deserving,” said Kapaa head coach Philip Rapozo. “I’m pretty sure we got guys left out that I thought should have made it, but we got to be happy with all the ones that made it.”
Both players of the year also come from Kapaa. Senior running back Ryno Banasihan won the offensive award, and senior linebacker Raffy Perono won the defensive award.
“Both deserving,” Rapozo said. “Ryno, he got hurt (early in the year). Once he came back, it changed everything for our offense. He’s a big part of our offense doing good this year. He definitely deserves being Player of the Year.”
He said of Perono: “Raffy played so good for us. He matured. Raffy became the leader we wanted him to be. He had an awesome year. Last year, he had offseason surgery on his shoulder. He brought it all year, man.”
Rapozo added he’s a bit taken aback his entire offensive line got all-star nods.
“I think they all deserve to be there, for sure,” he said.
Kauai High School has seven all stars this year. Red Raiders senior Hoku Parbo was listed as both an offensive and defensive all star.
“A majority of these guys had some time on the offense and played defense for us,” said Kauai head coach Jason Apilado. “Despite our record and coming in second place next to Kapaa, these kids that got selected — rightfully so — contributed a helluva lot to our defensive movement. I wish I had a couple of more years to coach them. … It’s going to a challenge to fill their shoes. We’ve got some talented kids coming up, but we’re definitely going to feel the effects when these kids are gone.
Apilado, though, hoped one of his players in particular got a nod — senior quarterback Tyler Oshima.
“As far as Tyler not getting a mention, for me, I’m very shocked,” Apilado said. “This kid had a huge heart of gold. Never takes any credit, led the offense as best as he could. Got banged up in the season, but this kid gave 125 percent at everything he’s done. He was the quiet leader of the entire team. The quarterback position is important, and this kid blew me away.”
Waimea High School junior Kawelo Huddy was named twice on the defensive all star list.
“Kawelo’s a very goal-oriented kid. He works really hard in the offseason,” said Waimea head coach Jason Caldeira. “He has goals for his future. He visualizes it and pushes hard for his goals. He deserves all the accolades he gets. He performed on and of the field well. He’s one of our main guys that we look to help us in the season. He did a good job his junior year. He’s got one more year, and the sky’s the limit for Kawelo.”
Caldeira said he wishes his entire team could get an all-star selection.
“I always think a lot of our players are worthy of making it, but so are the other boys from the other teams,” he said. “It’s hard when there’s only so many spots and there’s so many talent out there. … I think it comes down to the win-loss records. I wish we could have done better and made some of our guys get rewarded. But hats off to all of the other players from Kauai High and Kapaa.”
2018 KIF Football
All-Stars
Offensive Player of the Year: Ryno Banasihan, Kapaa, senior
Defensive Player of the Year: Raffy Perono, Kapaa, senior
Coach of the Year: Philip Rapozo, Kapaa
Offense
Offensive line: Daniel Higa, Kapaa, senior; Eli Unutoa, Kapaa, senior; Diego Hernandez, Kapaa, junior; Caleb Alalem, Kapaa, freshman; Kaden Baliaris, Kapaa, junior
Receiver: Jai Alapai, Kapaa, senior; Logan Noice, Kauai, senior; Pono Carvalho, Kauai, junior; Lanakila Pagtolingan, Kapaa, senior
Running back: Ryno Banasihan, Kapaa, senior
Quarterback: Kahanu Davis, Kapaa, junior
Kicker: Chysen Lagunes-Rapozo, Kapaa, senior
Special teams: Hoku Parbo, Kauai, senior
Utility: Baba Na-o, Kapaa, Kapaa, sophomore
Defense
Defensive line: Kevin Flores, Kapaa, senior; Patrick Peters, Kapaa, senior; Matthew Passi, Kauai, senior; Joshua Rivera, Kauai, senior
Linebacker: Raffy Perono, Kapaa, senior; Austin Oliviera, Kauai, senior; Stetson Telles-Kelekoma, Kapaa, junior
Defensive back: Kyle Bisarra, Kauai, senior; Kameron Parbo, Kauai, senior; Kawelo Huddy, Waimea, junior; Keilan Ibaan-McCarthy, Kapaa, junior
Punter: Chysen Lagunes-Rapozo, Kapaa, senior
Utility: Kawelo Huddy, Waimea, junior
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Nick Celario, sports writer, can be reached at 245-0437 or ncelario@thegardenisland.com.
