Kupono Park on Kamehameha State Championship Football team

Senior running back Kupono Park was a member of the Kamehameha football team that won the 2009 HHSAA Division I Football State Championship in 34-21 victory over previously unbeaten Oahu Interscholastic Association champion Kahuku. Kamehameha last won the state title in 2004, the same year that they last won the Interscholastic League of Honolulu title. In the semi-final game against Leilehua, Kupono scored the game’s first touchdown with a 15-yard run. Kupono later scored another touchdown on a 2-yard run, with Kamehameha eventually winning 40-0. Kamehameha earned the league’s only Division I state tournament berth by winning the Interscholastic League of Honolulu title. Kupono was voted an Interscholastic League of Honolulu Honorable Mention.

Highlights of Kupono Park

Jarrin Inagaki looking for breakout season

Kaiser High junior running back/linebacker Jarrin Inagaki had a good off-season in preparation for the upcoming high school football season.

This past summer Inagaki participated in the All Poly Camp, which was held in Hawaii for the first time.  The camp was a good opportunity for local kids to gain some exposure as well as receive instruction from college coaches from around the country. Inagaki excelled at the camp and was recognized as an All Poly Camp All-Star Running Back.

Inagaki’s commitment to training also paid off as he increased his broad jump from 7’9″ to 8’5″. That 8 inch increase will allow him to be more explosive and improve his acceleration.  As a running back it is critical for him to have first step quickness and be able to hit the holes and then accelerate and break away from defenders. As a linebacker, he’ll be in a better position to make the play or perform his assignment more effectively so that the defense can make the play.

Inagaki was also recently profiled in a MidWeek East article, “Cougars’ Coach Sees Inagaki As Leader Of The Pack.” Kaiser High head football coach Pat Samsonas said, “He’s a hard worker who leads by example, and he’s grounded enough to realize how he can help us. He’s willing to do anything for the team.”

“His primary position is linebacker, but he did such a good job at running back last year that we can’t afford not to use him there. We want the best athletes on the field, and he’s certainly included in that group.”

Inagaki was selected as a captain this season and we’ll be rooting for him to be the difference maker on both sides of the ball.

Darin Kamealoha is a threat on the field.

Darin Kamealoha started his senior season with an outstanding performance, eight catches for 143 yards and four touchdowns. Kamealoha made TD catches of 7, 27, 15, and 35 yards to lead Pac-Five in a 48-19 win over Kaimuki in the Father Bray Classic.

Kamealoha is a threat no matter where he is on the field. Last season, he was a first-team All-ILH selection as a kick returner and a third-team All-State wide receiver.

This past summer Kamealoha participated in the Game Plan Football Academy and earned the camp’s Offensive Skills award. The camp provided a great opportunity for Kamealoha to display his skills in front of the numerous college coaches serving as camp staff.

Kamealoha and his quarterback, P.J. Minaya, were recently featured in a Honolulu Star-Bulletin article. “He’s just an athlete,” the coach said. “We could probably put him anywhere on the field and he would excel. He just has that athletic ability.”

So keep an eye out for Darin Kamealoha this season, #34.

Highlight videos of Darin Kamealoha.

Former UH Warrior Jameel Dowling agrees to free agent contract with the Arizona Cardinals

After not being selected in this weekend’s National Football League draft, former University of Hawaii Warrior cornerback Jameel Dowling agreed to a free agent contract with the Arizona Cardinals.

After graduating from UH in December, Jameel wanted to stay in Hawaii. Having not been invited to the NFL Combine, Jameel knew that his one opportunity to perform for the scouts was at the UH Pro Day. Starting in January, Jameel began training at Tactical Strength and Conditioning to prepare for the Pro Day. 

	Pre-test	Pro Day
Vertical Jump	26.5 inches	28.5 inches
Broad Jump	9 feet	9 feet 9 inches
225-pound bench	12 reps	17 reps
40-yard dash	4.91 sec.	4.59 sec.
Pro agility	5.02 sec.	4.61 sec.
L-test	8.12 sec.	7.27 sec.

Jameel’s performance at Pro Day showed a lot of improvement, which led to a private workout with the Seattle Seahawks. However on draft day, it was the Arizona Cardinals that came calling. They were looking for a big corner (Pro Day measurements – Height: 6-1 7/8; Weight: 206) and liked what they saw in Jameel.

Jameel will report to the Cardinals mini-camp, May 1-3.

Billy Stutzmann enrolls early

In July, Billy Ray Stutzmann made a verbal commitment to play football for the University of Hawaii. This week Billy announced that he will honor that commitment and also finish high school early to enroll at UH in January 2009. That’s right, Billy will start college early! How many kids do you know are willing to finish high school early so they can move on to college? Not many. Billy decided to take the opportunity to participate in spring training to get ahead for next season.

Billy had the opportunity to attend several mainland schools, but decided that UH was the best fit for him. A big part of his decision to attend UH was that he could play in front of his friends and family.

Though he was not able to fulfill his goal of bringing home the state championship crown to St. Louis, Billy had a very productive senior season. He finished as one of the top offensive players in Division I in receptions, yards, and touchdowns.

As UH football fans, we look forward to seeing Billy in the coming years. It’s been a pleasure for Tactical Strength & Conditioning to work with such a talented and dedicated athlete. Congratulations and best of luck.

Here’s a video of Billy and his dad, Bill, on their experience with Tactical.