Zach Kaahanui Ready For the Big Show

For three seasons Zach Kaahanui has worked the trenches for the Central Catholic Rams. He has come up through the system there with Oregon prep standouts Myles Wade, Kevin Frahm, Demetrius Guice, and Nick Green amongst others. All the while, few people realized that he was a very young talented lineman on the rise. His sophomore year he was flanked by Wade and Frahm and yet stood out for his super fast get off and his unique and brutal hand fighting techniques. For this linemen technique is his main weapon.

For those of us that have watched we have seen a powerful kid taking on double team and cut blocks on every down. We have watched a kid that has recorded sacks, fumble recoveries, and run stuffing blows in a 3-yard battle zone known as the interior line. But as the 2008 season is on the horizon we can see this linemen being in the top of his class. Zach Kaahanui has it down and this year is his time.

Kaahanui is coming off a superb season where as a junior he was named to the First Team Offense and the First Team Defense in the Mt. Hood Conference of the 6A Oregon football division. At 6-foot and 250-pounds, Zach is a formidable foe. Coaches from Hawaii to Utah have been impressed with him. In one-on-one camp competition, he has proved himself time and again and he can run with the biggest and the best. Looking back to last year Zach had a few thoughts.

"We started the season great and then lost a big one to Jesuit -that hurt our pride and people counted us out!" said Kaahanui. "But the highlight of the season was bouncing back and beating Southridge at home in the Playoffs. That was huge. We jumped on them early and they never knew what hit them. That was a quality game for us and me too!"

And well he should. Kaahanui recorded sacks, tackles, and fumble recoveries in that game and had a lot to do with that win.

Looking ahead Zach is hitting the weight room and conditioning 6 days a week. He credits Justin Scott for helping him to become stronger and faster. He notes his top skills as his footwork, ability to communicate with his teammates during the game, and his motor. He plays every position along the line and projects well into the collegiate ranks as a nose guard, center, or offensive guard. And collegiate play runs his in Hawaiian heritage as his father "Toots" Kaahanui played at Boise State and cousins Dominic and Donavan Raiola played at Nebraska and Wisconsin, winning All-American honors and the Outland Trophy along the way. Both went on to the NFL.

Zach is being actively contacted by Weber State, Arizona, Southern Utah, San Diego State, and Hawaii. He is also hearing from Portland State, Boise State, Oregon State and Oregon. He is an academic qualifier and appears to be on his way to the collegiate ranks. There are some outstanding linemen in Oregon this year and Kaahanui is in the top three or four in that group. Pound for pound and form an ability standpoint I have him as my #1. He should be once again a force in the 6A ranks and would project to be one of a growing line of outstanding Oregon linemen to go on to the collegiate ranks!

Best wishes to Zach Kaahanui and the Central Catholic Rams in their upcoming season!