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A year ago, Na Menehune of Moanalua learned a painful lesson in the midst of a state-tournament loss that ended what had been a perfect run.
What breaks can heal and can make you stronger.
This time around, a loss to the talented Waianae Seariders in the OIA championship game did just that.
Moanalua responded with a monster run of four wins in a row at the Hawaii Dental Service/HHSAA Flag Football State Championships.
That alone isnt enough to earn individual accolades from the panel of coaches and media.
With elite production on offense and defense, however, Moanalua landed 10 spots on the Honolulu Star-Advertiser All-State first, second and third teams, including Offensive Player of the Year Jodie Keo and Defensive Player of the Year IaOrana Lofa Simanu.
I didnt think I would get it.
Its cool that I got it.
It just shows the hard work that I put in, Keo said.
Be yourself and trust in God.
Even though you dont know whats going on, he has a plan for you.
She missed one game to honor her obligation with the national team but still produced on both sides of the ball.
The sophomore hauled in 74 passes for 1,436 yards (19.4 per catch) with a whopping 36 touchdowns.
Her leadership in an always low-key manner is a big factor in Moanaluas composure.
Shes not arrogant.
She doesnt have that Im-better-than-you trait.
Shes thankful to have that talent and shes always helping people, even the opposite side, Moanalua coach Ladd Mokiao said.
That chip on the shoulder, she doesnt have it.
Doesnt need it.
She just plays the game the way its meant to be played.
That girl is one in a million.
Keo also racked up 34 tackles, six interceptions and two pass deflections as a safety.
Everywhere she went on either side of the ball, opponents had to be aware and alert.
On offense, the trickle-down effect on her open teammates was constant.
Defensively, she had six tackles, one pick and two deflections in a semifinal win over defending state champion Campbell.
In a defensive struggle with Mililani one day later, she had four tackles as Moanalua eked out a 13-6 win for the state crown.
Then came a break before Keo returned to the mainland to train with the 17U national team and play in an international tournament.
Team USA won the title.
It was good.
A couple of them gave us a hard time, Keo said.
Flag football is a lot bigger on the mainland.
They have more opportunities to get themselves out there.
Simanu was also a two-way force.
In Mokiaos revamped defensive scheme, Na Menehune relied more on a matchup-zone concept, which was perfect for defenders like Simanu.
A ball-hawking point guard on the basketball court, Simanu plays angles to perfection.
She finished with 13 interceptions, two deflections and two defensive TDs.
She was a major target for freshman quarterback Breidi-Ann Higa with 65 receptions for 856 yards and 18 TDs.
She was second statewide in receiving yardage and TDs.
Simanu grew up playing flag football.
She began at 6.
The offseason has been nonstop activity.
For me, its never luck.
Its all God and no breaks.
I worked through the summer and traveled.
I took as many opportunities as I could.
I worked and worked and worked.
I aimed at what I wanted to do and made sure I did it, she said.
Never give up.
No matter how much people doubt you.
Ive been doubted more times than I can count.
I can use it as a fuel.
Trailing Simanu in the defensive POY voting was Waianae freshman Cadence Lau, who rocked opponents with a single-season record of 36 sacks.
Shes amazing, Mokiao said.
She gets to the quarterback.
All in all, this could have been a second state title in a row for Moanalua.
Or just as easily, another bittersweet end.
Im honored.
When I coach, Im not trying to get awards.
Just trying to better the kids so they can get to college, Mokiao said.
The hardest part was, even though you have a group of kids that have been there before, everybody wants to get on the field.
Its who I feel can do the job.
Jaymason Lee, who led Kalaheo to an OIA D-II title, was second in the voting.
Waianae coach Kenneth Joseph was third after lifting the Seariders to the OIA championship.
Higa was second in the Offensive Player of the Year voting after throwing for 4,052 yards and 75 TDs with 11 interceptions.
That included 246 yards, three TDs and no picks in a tough opening-round win over Leilehua at the state tourney.
by Hawaii Prep World For high school sports record books, visit .