Wednesday's 7 on 7 Summer Pass League schedule matched up the Pearl City Chargers from the OIA White Division against the Kamehameha Warriors representing the ILH at Pearl City High School's Edwin "Bino" Neves Stadium.
Both teams continue to give their skilled position athletes the opportunity to work out, get into shape, and to improve at their positions during the Summer Pass League schedule that started on June 20 and will continue through Friday, July 13.
There is no score kept or wins and losses recorded during the Summer Pass League.
Pearl City has a good mixture of returning veterans like Daicorri Briscoe, David Laranol and Tanner Tokunaga who will be counted on to lead the young and talented Chargers if they plan on duplicating the success of last year's varsity team that finished the 2011 OIA White Division regular season with a perfect 8-0 record.
Pearl City Chargers first year Head Coach David Hallums is pleased with his QB core that will feature Kristian Vaana-Kikuyama who is slotted as their number one QB this summer followed by Travis Joe and Brock Teixeira in that order.
"Kristian Vaana-Kikuyama is our starter, Hallums said.”He's our guy. He's been there from day one. Kristian has the perfect arm for this offense. Kristian can also play defense. He's one our better defenders out there. He's making plays for us on both offense and defense."
At the receiving end of the Chargers potent air attack are few veterans who will pile up frequent flyer mileage this season. Leading the Chargers receiving core are Daicorri Briscoe, David Laranol, Isaac Amorin and Tanner Tokunaga.
"Offensively we don't have to hit home runs," commented Hallums on his approach and philosophy on moving the Chargers offense up and down the field. "We just need to work the seams and take what the defense gives us because we have great speed. We don't have height down the middle of the field, but we have really great route running from David Laranol, Isaac Amorin and Tanner Tokunaga."
Coach Hallums is happy with what he has seen with regards to the character and toughness of his boy's in the trenches, but the lack of size and depth will be a challenge for the Chargers this season.
'We have a great line, "Hallums said.”Our line one on one's against the teams we've been playing, our guys have been more than handling their own. The guys are undersized of course, and the only thing that's going to be tough this year is we don't have much depth. One of the catchy things to manage is the personnel we have. They understand that they have to go three ways. They have to play Offense, Defense, and Special Teams. We have to do a very good job of managing the players because we don't want to burn them out or get hurt after playing 80-90 plays a game."
Coach Hallums wanted to mention and give credit to his coaching staff that has done a great job so far this summer working with the players as they finish out the remainder of the Summer Pass League schedule and prepare for summer training camp.
"I want to give credit to my coaches," Hallums said. "They've really connected with the kids. Our coaches meet all the time. We'll meet in a few minutes. The coaches have been doing a great job. They're dedicated and work hard. They're out here everyday."
In his new position as a head coach, Hallums daily football responsibilities have been upgraded from his previous role of being an assistant to the skipper of the ship.
"When I was an assistant I could come here and say 'what's up coach' and leave when I gotta leave. Now I'm the last guy out the door and locking all the gates."
Summer Pass League Schedule
(Remaining four games)
Friday 6/29 Pearl City @ Aiea
Friday, 7/6 Pearl City @ Campbell
Wednesday, 7/11 Leilehua @ Pearl City
Friday, 7/13 Pearl City @ Nanakuli
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Daicorri Briscoe pictured pulling in another reception for the Chargers.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Tanner Tokunaga runs past the Kamehameha secondary for an incredible over the shoulder touchdown catch.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Pearl City starting QB Kristian Vaana-Kikuyama showed some skills for the Chargers against Kamehameha.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Kamehameha QB pictured airing it out against the Chargers.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Former University of Hawaii assistant football coach George Lumpkin (right) who most recently served as the Director of Player Personnel for the UH Warriors in 2011 is pictured here on the sidelines for the Kamehameha Warriors.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Charger linemen run through wind sprints on Wednesday, June 27, 2012 following their game against Kamehameha.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
It's great to be a Charger!
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Charger Head Coach David Hallums talks to his players during the team's post game meeting on Wednesday.