Kapaa dominates all star roster

KAPAA — As voted by the coaches, 25 players were selected to this year’s Kauai Interscholastic Federation Football All Stars. 

Of the 25 chosen, 20 play for Kapaa High School.

“It’s awesome. It shows that we were dominant during the league (season). Not just as a team, but individually. We had a lot of dominant players,” said Warriors head coach Philip Rapozo, whose team finished the KIF season 6-0. “But the good thing is that nobody is acting like an all star. They’re grounded. They weren’t even worried about that. They were happy when they got it. We congratulated them, but it was business as usual the following day at practice.”

Among the Kapaa all stars, seniors Shain Davis and Austyne Carvalho-Toloai were picked as Players of the Year.

“They deserve what they got, but it could have gone several different ways. It was a close one, especially on defense,” Rapozo said. “Shain Davis led the league in rushing and (receiving). Austyne Toloai was unbelievable with his punting all year.”

Davis, the Offensive Player of the Year, said he was elated that he and many of his teammates were given all star status.

“It’s amazing because the majority of our team worked that hard to make it. All of our hard work, it’s paying off this year,” the senior running back said.

Carvalho-Toloai, who is also an all star as a linebacker and punter, said being given such an accolade was a blessing.

“I couldn’t have done it without my teammates,” he said. “It was very exciting. I was pretty happy, but I also know it wouldn’t have been accomplished without these guys.”

First-year coach Rapozo was named KIF Coach of the Year.

“That feels good, but I look at it as a team award. Without all these coaches and these players, I’m not the head coach of the year,” the Warriors coach said. “They made me what I am. My supporting cast, my coaches are unbelievable. They work so hard. They’re committed.”