Taeao, linemates key to Liberty success

Playing on the offensive line at Liberty might be different than it is in other high school football programs.

It’s not just about being big or knowing how to block. It’s a frame of mind.

“Our coach preaches that it starts in the trenches and it ends in the trenches,” senior left guard P.J. Taeao said. “We’re the kind of linemen who are going to hit you in the mouth until the other line gives up.”

The 6-foot-3-inch, 330-pound Taeao might be the perfect spokesman for the Patriots, who rode dominant line play and a smash-mouth running game to last year’s Sunrise Region title.

“We try to have a blue-collar mentality of being physical from whistle to whistle, and we have a bunch of kids who thrive on that and love contact,” said Liberty coach Rich Muraco, also the school’s wrestling coach. “They seek the contact; they don’t shy away from that.”

Liberty rolled up 3,321 yards and 45 touchdowns on the ground last season, and the rushing attack will be the Patriots’ foundation again this year.

Many of the carries will go to junior Niko Kapeli, who ran for a team-high 1,335 yards and 10 TDs last year. His lead blocker is his brother, senior fullback Jordan Kapeli.

Muraco called Jordan Kapeli a “devastating blocker.” It’s a role tailor-made for last year’s Class 4A state shot put champion.

“That’s the greatest feeling,” Jordan Kapeli said of blocking for Niko. “Not a lot of people get that chance.”

Muraco, who is 19-6 in two seasons at the helm, said Liberty has improved at the skill positions from last season’s 11-2 run.

That starts with junior quarterback Kai Nacua, who passed for nine TDs and ran for 11 more last year.

“(Nacua) is bigger, more physical, makes better reads and he’s more comfortable,” Muraco said. “They have faith he’s going to be able to lead them down in a two-minute situation to win a game, and I have faith in him, too.”

Liberty must replace six defensive starters, including end Sam Tai, who is now a freshman at UCLA. But the Patriots should still be strong up front thanks to defensive tackles Taeao and Jordan Kapeli along with senior defensive end Kimo Seau, who is the nephew of 12-time Pro Bowl linebacker Junior Seau.

“We did have a big loss in Sam Tai, but we have a great replacement for him: Kimo Seau,” Taeao said.

Liberty is inexperienced in the secondary, but expects leadership from senior safety Jeremy Lagasca.

The Patriots will get their first look at the revamped defense when they open the season at home against Arbor View at 7 p.m. Friday.

Liberty has enjoyed the best seasons in program history two years in a row, but the Patriots are hungry after losing 7-6 to McQueen in last year’s state semifinals.

“It was really special. We made history for this school by going that far,” Taeao said. “But it wasn’t enough. We’re going to try to top it off.”