Kahuku’s Ah-Hoy commits; Warriors resume practicing

Kesi Ah-Hoy, Kahuku’s versatile football player, is set to join the Warriors in 2017.

By making a verbal commitment, Ah-Hoy turned down offers from Oregon State and BYU.

Ah-Hoy, who said he is 6 feet and 205 pounds, was a running back/wildcat quarterback for his first three Kahuku seasons. He was named to this newspaper’s 2015 All-State first team as a utility player. He played mostly safety this past season. Ah-Hoy said he has been told he will compete as a hybrid defender at UH, a mix of linebacker and safety. A couple of the Warriors’ top linebackers — Solomon Matautia and Malachi Mageo — were safeties in high school.

Ah-Hoy was one of 10 recruits who made UH-sponsored trips this past weekend. His host was Red Raider alumnus Keala Santiago. Credit also goes to the UH coaches and the cuisine schedule.


“All I’ve got to say is we ate a lot,” Ah-Hoy told the Warrior Beat. ““I ate at a lot of places I’ve never been to. I like to stay on my side of the taro. I don’t really come to Waikiki a lot. It was a good experience. It was like I was a tourist.”


* * * * *

The Warriors open bowl preparation with today’s 6 a.m. practice. They are set to receive an official Hawaii Bowl invitation letter at the end of the practice.

COMMENTS

  1. Maddog50 December 5, 2016 6:08 am

    Congrats to Keri the most recent addition to the Warrior family! Some experts pick MT to win over our Warriors. Here is my take for what it’s worth. Long season lotsa travel and a bunch of players playing through hurt/injury. Rest, different tempo and work schedule will do this team wonders. Do not look for the Coaches to misgauge this event. I think they will come prepared and ready to go right from the start. I am sure Coach Rolovich will remind them ina proper fashion what it took to get in this thing, and of course what might have been if not for two gift wrapped games. Way too much on the line for the final roundup for the Seniors. I look for a ton of energy and Passion on Dec. 24th. Go Warriors-Hey for those complaining about the rain over the weekend-looking out my window at the 6 inches of wet snow that stopped by yesterday!


  2. H-Man December 5, 2016 6:39 am

    I can understand Kesi. I too stay on my side of the taro almost all the time except for when I attend softball games at the Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium and when watching football practices at UH and occasional events at the Stan Sheriff. Plus, I think he is making the right decision about choosing Hawaii. His side of the taro is really nice. Fantastic beaches, fishing, place of Polynesian culture and good community. And by choosing UH he will get a good education. UH is a good school.


  3. H-Man December 5, 2016 7:22 am

    Congratulations to the Warriors for their selection to the Hawaii Bowl. I’ll be there to cheer them on. But as much as I want them to win, I think Middle Tennessee may be a bit more than our team can manage. I expect MT to score at least 42 points. Our offense will need to outscore them by clean execution and avoid drive-killing penalties. Warrior’s 3rd down conversion rate is pathetic. That and penalties have been a problem throughout the season. If Warriors expect to win, Dru will have to repeat his performance as he did against UMass with 5 passing TDs and “no” fumbles. Can the Warriors play a complete game with all cylinders clicking because that’s what it will take to win.


  4. Ipu Man December 5, 2016 7:41 am

    Ah Hoy! Ah Boy!
    Defend The Taro!
    Welcome Aboard!


  5. Ipu Man December 5, 2016 7:45 am

    As for Middle Tennessee
    let them see what Massachusetts saw:
    UH Victory!


  6. 808warriorfan December 5, 2016 8:03 am

    Excellent start for recruiting … hope more Red Raiders sign up

    LIVE ALOHA / PLAY WARRIOR / DEFEND THE ROCK … GO ‘BOWS !!!!!


  7. PONO December 5, 2016 8:03 am

    Chee. We got a Kahuku boy.


  8. What??? December 5, 2016 9:18 am

    Mona Ah Hoy’s son?


  9. NorthShoreFan December 5, 2016 9:37 am

    Guud Morning Tsaikos…Bootiful Day!
    E Komo Mai Kesi! Proud to have you as a WARRIOR! Looking forward to seeing you and Keala on the field. My dream is to see a All Hawaii Defense on the field. From DL to back field.
    IIRC, we might have had a all Hawaii OL once?…no?
    Anyhoo…..IMUA WARRIORS!
    Looking for more commits this week!


  10. jeezy33 December 5, 2016 10:34 am

    9. I pray your dream never comes true. University of Hawaii isn’t about being from Hawaii. I care more about winning and building a culture from people from Hawaii, mainland, and other countries and islands. Nick Rolovich isn’t from Hawaii. He adopted the Hawaii culture.


  11. kanak December 5, 2016 10:48 am

    Yeee hanapaa! Hopefully this leads to Kaniho staying home…


  12. Palolo_2LA December 5, 2016 10:58 am

    I agree with Jezzy….Rolo needs the best from the group who want to attend UH regardless of where they are from, race, etc. It would be awesome if the best from the islands stayed home, but that has never been consistently true. We can dream all we want of a UH team with Olin Kruetz, Dominic Riola, Chris Naeole, Jason Gesser, Joe Igber, Manti Teo, Marcus Mariota, etc…UNFORTUNATELY, NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN


  13. markm December 5, 2016 11:03 am

    wow jeezy, you’re such a dream crushing jerk…..damn these millennials nowadays


  14. Andrew December 5, 2016 11:24 am

    13.

    I’m on board with Jeezy as well. It’s a bit narrow minded to think an all-Hawaii base defense/team is what we need for success. It’s going to take a joint effort of a diversity of players. Also just because a player is from Hawaii, that does not guarantee them to be a good fit for the team. I can see players coming from the mainland that could be better fits for the culture of the team. I think sometimes fans get a little too carried away with the local homegrown talent recruiting idea. It’s great to get local players, but the entire team doesn’t need to be.


  15. boolakanaka December 5, 2016 11:44 am

    All local boy team sounds great, but really hard to put together. While we certainly have the man-power up the middle and in the trenches, Hawai’i, by and large, lacks the kind of speed that is needed on the perimeter, e.g. wide receivers, corners, and to a certain degree, at the running back position.

    So, while we occasionally get a kid with major college speed, overall, we don’t have that kind of depth in our high school ranks. Much of the defense that is required in this day and age is dictated by the advantages, as well as schemes that offenses are placing on defenses. Bottom line, by necessity, we have to go outside the state to acquire many of these speed intensive skilled positions.


  16. Danzdaman December 5, 2016 12:11 pm

    Just keep winning and they will come. Who the heck wants to play football in Boise? Been to Boise and not all kids like fishing in Lucky Peak. Kids who want to be a part of a winning program which Boise continues to prove go there. When we start winning, we’ll get some of them too.


  17. A-House December 5, 2016 12:20 pm

    while I would like to see UH with a victory on 12/24 — reality is if they cannot control the LOS and LBers pull too early, it may be a long day for Hawaii

    how does a coach teach a LB to stay put and play his responsibility? watch the OL movement and not the QB to control the “run”? split second decisions necessary

    UH safeties may be the “X” factor on 12/24 — will they have to “hedge” based on opponents tendencies if the WR are too fast? one or both safeties helping the corners

    biggest “X” factor will be Lempa’s defensive schemes and players following through with their responsibilities

    I recall Bob Wagner running after Al Noga to chew his butt off on the bench because he was trying to do too much — I had never seen Wagner so mad!!!

    bright sunny skies over Honolulu rapidly turning into very dark, ominous clouds — especially over Nuuanu valley and points West

    I hope #99 can someday be another Paul “Zumo” Lee — walk on who, with Levi Stanley, controlled the middle of UH defense line back when — now DR. Lee

    sounds like the Kahuku commit is a good start for 2017 recruiting — hope OL coach was successful in keeping the Aussie commit to UH

    oh, oh, there is a house fire up Tantlus — dark smoke rising fast and high!!


  18. A-House December 5, 2016 12:42 pm

    great! no more dark smoke from Tantalus fire.


  19. Ron December 5, 2016 12:43 pm

    The State of Hawaii produces many D-1 football players but we don’t have the population to compete with only home grown kids without help. Here is a visual:
    Population
    Hawaii 1,430,000
    Nevada 2,890,000
    Oregon 4,028,000
    Washington 7’170’000
    California 40,000,000


  20. Andrew December 5, 2016 12:46 pm

    16.

    Well considering Boise also has one of the higher “cost of attendance” payments to student athletes, I’m not surprised many athletes want to go there. They pay more than some of the power 5 schools


  21. clyde December 5, 2016 1:01 pm

    Looks like Rolo has hooked another recruit … cornerback.


  22. Kapahulu December 5, 2016 1:17 pm

    Congratulations to Nick Rolovich and the Hawaii Rainbow Warrior Football Team on their selection for the Hawaii Bowl on Chritmas Eve.

    I just got my tickets and looking forward to the game.

    Go Bows!


  23. Derek December 5, 2016 1:18 pm

    That’s what we really need, cornerbacks who can cover and tackle one on one. Hope it’s a good one, or two, but we will see soon enough. It’s all about the good evaluation, projection, coachability, and desire.


  24. H-Man December 5, 2016 1:19 pm

    OK, you got my curiosity, who’s that corner? Just checked Scout’s list and to my surprise, Kesi Ah Hoy is the Warriors’ highest Scout-rated player so far. Recruiting starting to look like Rolo and staff will deliver a good to very-good class.


  25. NotNasti December 5, 2016 1:28 pm

    Donovan Dalton 6’4″ DB/WR.


  26. Maddog50 December 5, 2016 1:42 pm

    #1 meant-Kesi! A House Paul Lee to my knowledge was not a walk on. Played as a freshman and started for 3 years. He was at times one of the teams strongest in the weight room. Not surprised he’s a Dr.—Where at?


  27. Ipu Man December 5, 2016 1:49 pm

    #17… At one point during the NFL Sunday Night football game
    they showed how the Linebacker watched the offensive line
    (not the backfield) where they blocked and filled the hole
    and made the stop—Katoosh-like. 🙂 So he was not drawn
    away from the hole by backfield in motion…


  28. ai-eee-soos December 5, 2016 2:43 pm

    #25 – follow up:

    http://www.hudl.com/video/3/3170910/583 … 01a42a1c1e


  29. ai-eee-soos December 5, 2016 2:47 pm

    trying it again – if it doesn’t work — so solly.

    http://www.hudl.com/video/3/3170910/583 … 01a42a1c1e


  30. ai-eee-soos December 5, 2016 2:49 pm

    well- maybe someone can find the clip on Donovan Dalton 6’4″ DB/WR.


  31. clyde December 5, 2016 3:03 pm

    Try this: http://www.hudl.com/video/3/3170910/57d483fd688ec26c74e441a2


  32. ai-eee-soos December 5, 2016 3:11 pm

    #31. That’s the one. Mahalo.


  33. kanak December 5, 2016 3:24 pm

    Rolo hinted at Dalton being recruited as CB

    Get fish in the desert? We found one. #HanaPa’a #bigcorner


  34. Willie December 5, 2016 4:07 pm

    Don’t see quickness and that speed burst on film from Dalton. Only 40 time I found was 4.89. Any other info out there?


  35. pukalani boy December 5, 2016 4:34 pm

    yay good to see kesi ah hoy …


  36. NorthShoreFan December 5, 2016 4:39 pm

    something akin to JJ wanting to play a game with all pass. not trying to be narrow minded. just thinking of all the D1 kids our local teams have produced. das all…


  37. The Flying O December 5, 2016 5:06 pm

    All local boy team is a terrible idea.


  38. al December 5, 2016 5:10 pm

    #34.
    These video clips that you watched are all in slow motion and not in real time.
    His 40 was probably done his sophomore year.


  39. 808bowler December 5, 2016 5:13 pm

    Brandon Brooks is the 6’3 corner that recently committed to hawaii


  40. 808bowler December 5, 2016 5:15 pm

    My bad. It is Donovan Dalton.


  41. Willie December 5, 2016 5:17 pm

    #38, mahalo. Appreciate the info!


  42. ai-eee-soos December 5, 2016 5:18 pm

    keeping up with the Aranda’s ….

    LSU: Dave Aranda’s new deal will pay him between $1.8 and $1.9 million annually, the richest deal for an assistant coach in college football, according to Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports.


  43. z December 5, 2016 5:27 pm

    Yes nice pick ups. Kesi was a really strong wildcat quarterback. A very good athlete.


  44. Kifi December 5, 2016 5:36 pm

    So Rolo has commits from these three in the last 24 hrs.?

    Donovan Dalton 6-3 205 (WR/DB)
    Kesi Ah Hoy 6-0 200 (S/LB)
    Brandon Brooks 6-3 185 (CB)

    So out of ten visitors this past weekend, Hawaii already has commits from three prospects? I’d say that Hawaii recruiting is certainly improved from two years ago.


  45. Kifi December 5, 2016 5:45 pm

    #40 – Okay, no Brandon Brooks

    So we are 2 out of ten for this past weekend. Still not bad. #Hana Pa’a!


  46. Ohana Hawaii December 5, 2016 5:48 pm

    All you kids might coming out from Hawaii to commit to the mainland University. This is a warning!. They’re not places like home food cooking!. That is really seriously the facts!. The food in Hawaii is 100% the greatest taste then the mainland! It’s just 25% in the mainland!. Because it doesn’t have the Hawaiian Islands touch! No taste, over cook and most dont know whatever their doing!. Pokei. Don’t know how to cut fish! Nothing like Hawaiian food. But not even the Polynesian’s food too!. That’s not a joke!. If you planning to come up!. You must sacrifice a major things in your life! Good luck!


  47. Kifi December 5, 2016 6:00 pm

    #8 – Yes


  48. al December 5, 2016 6:42 pm

    #46. SERIOUSLY BRAH. You are not making any sense at all

    We are unable to understand your language.


  49. al December 5, 2016 6:44 pm

    Hmmm. I thought Brooks was in?


  50. al December 5, 2016 6:46 pm

    And didn’t we get 2 early wr’s?
    Also, that huge Aussie Poly.


  51. hilosuapman December 5, 2016 7:01 pm

    Cheehoo! glad to see some talent staying home!

    I agree we shouldn’t only focus on getting local talent but its good to have some


  52. Abunai December 5, 2016 8:05 pm

    #37

    All local football team would be awesome!! But only if they are good enough to be starting. At one point we might have that. But who knows. Hawaii is now becoming a state that can produce all positions. At one point Hawaii only produced all line positions, LBers, RBs and safeties. We would have the occasional qb, wr, and db deserving of a D1 scholarship. But man how times have changed now that we have pretty much all positions coming out with D1 talent. We are having more and more talent coming from the islands… Just wish they would stay home and play. I would think with the top players here stayed home and mixed with some players we get from the mainland we could become a top 30 team year in year out and make some noise for the island.


  53. Maddog50 December 6, 2016 5:49 am

    Recruiting-The limit is 85 scholarships with a limit on 25 per year. Here is what I think we have-
    Marcus Armstrong-Brown-16
    Eugene Ford-16
    Kalepo Naotala-16

    Maama, Francisco, Kavapalu, Mullen, Stallworth, Ah-Hoy, and Dalton all 2017. Not sure how many we will lose with graduation. Always lose some for other reasons. Right now that’s ten new to the roster if all follow thru. If I’m a kid with no solid Power 5 offers and I mean solid and the Warriors want me the waiting game can be very dicey. The longer one waits the less options are available. Here’s to some of these young men we are heavily pursuing just making the commitment and locking in their spot-the future is a bright one!


  54. ALLAN December 6, 2016 7:25 am

    ANY OF HAWAII’S TOP PLAYERS CAN GO AWAY TO AN ESTABLISHED MAINLAND PROGRAM, BUT THEY WON’T MAKE THAT PROGRAM ANY BETTER. IF THEY STAYED HOME THEY HAVE THE CHANCE TO MAKE HAWAII’S PROGRAM BETTER, AND EVEN PUT THE WARRIORS ON THE FOOTBALL MAP.


  55. madeinhawaii December 6, 2016 7:53 am

    The University experience is supposed to be one of mixed cultures, identities, ethnicities, nationalities and more. To have an all Hawaii or all Polynesian team defeats that part of the experience and would certainly make the more valued player leave for grass on the other side.


  56. Andrew December 6, 2016 8:24 am

    54

    Right because Mariota went to Oregon and made no impact on their program….what a narrow minded way of thinking


  57. H-Man December 6, 2016 8:27 am

    ALLAN, I know you say you type in upper case because of your poor eyesight, but I say it’s a poor excuse. I too have poor eyesight, but I zoom the type on my Google Chrome home page to 125% Goggle Chrome can zoom up to 500%. Ever consider simply increasing the size of the print on your home page?


  58. al December 6, 2016 8:39 am

    It is true that ALL CAPS is more difficult to read.


  59. al December 6, 2016 8:42 am

    I think our wish list includes several mid year guys.


  60. letsgowarriors December 6, 2016 8:48 am

    pretty sure all the greyshirts will be counted as 2017 initials. gotta remember we added Dru Brown, Brownholtz and Noa late and those guys counted as 2016.

    plus we gave scholies to Noah Borden and Makoa Camanse-Stevens (both deserved them), and they counted as 2016 initials.


  61. Ipu Man December 6, 2016 8:51 am

    Christmas joy to all of you out there.
    Don’t be too harsh on fellow commenters.
    I luv to read how others feel even if they
    don’t speak da king’s English. Perhaps they
    are from another country. Or suffering from
    paralyzing disease. No matter. Free country for
    all here. Speak your heart. And luv those of you
    who express yourself in pigeon—Mele Kalika Maka.
    🙂


  62. 808warriorfan December 6, 2016 9:03 am

    #46 … What are you trying to say ??? You can’t even spell Poke … agree w/ #48 “Al”


  63. Tangomike December 6, 2016 9:10 am

    Does max hendries schollue count for this year too? If he couldn’t participate in team activities, then I guess he would be a grey shirt?


  64. Maddog50 December 6, 2016 9:22 am

    It sure is tough to keep track of the count. The late signees sure do count for 2016. Max H I am sure counts in 2016. One thing for sure if ol numba 99-Zeno ain’t on the scholarship list he needs to be!!!! I just want to sign what we need. I have my own perspective but it does include some DL RB and DE-GOWARRIORS!!!!


  65. Inyoface December 6, 2016 11:28 am

    It’ll be nice to visit my family for Christmas in the bay area and have a Hawaii football game to watch and drink adult beverages!


  66. Stephen Tsai December 6, 2016 12:04 pm

    New post: http://hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=40569


Comments are closed.