Favorite Hawaii High School Receiver of All-Time
Re: Favorite Hawaii High School Receiver of All-Time
Ornellas was more of a slot back, not really a WR. But I agree, he is the GOAT. Probably the best high school football player to come out of Hawaii... Herman Wedemeyer, Joe Igber, Mark Atuaia, Gerald Welch, all great players, but no one was like Ornellas. Now, if we talking strictly WR, Micah Matsusaki, Kanawai Noa, Itula Mili, Donny Utu, Jason Rivers. Toma and Ostrowski, I'd consider slot back type, but they were really good ball players too
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Re: Favorite Hawaii High School Receiver of All-Time
@Dog 96707: You're putting Ornellas ahead of Wedemeyer? And, note that they both played for St Louis. Since we're looking at great high-school players, regardless of which position they played, what about Mosi Tatupu? I wish he didn't play for Punahou, but he did. He played RB, and he was very hard to corral.Dog 96707 wrote: ↑Mon May 21, 2018 10:19 am Ornellas was more of a slot back, not really a WR. But I agree, he is the GOAT. Probably the best high school football player to come out of Hawaii... Herman Wedemeyer, Joe Igber, Mark Atuaia, Gerald Welch, all great players, but no one was like Ornellas. Now, if we talking strictly WR, Micah Matsusaki, Kanawai Noa, Itula Mili, Donny Utu, Jason Rivers. Toma and Ostrowski, I'd consider slot back type, but they were really good ball players too
Re: Favorite Hawaii High School Receiver of All-Time
Russ Francis. Played end and quarterback at Kailua.
Not doubting, not hating, not loving, just hoping because I am a fan.
“WELCOME HOME COACH” Go get’em Timmy
“WELCOME HOME COACH” Go get’em Timmy
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Re: Favorite Hawaii High School Receiver of All-Time
Yes they’ve both passed away actually, Cliff a long time ago in a motorcycle accident (I think before I was even born) and I’m 21 and Rhani, my father, passed to cancer in 2016, but am always happy to read about both of themHS Football Fanatic wrote: ↑Sat Apr 14, 2018 4:50 pm@Kianakuuipo: Better late than never. I think Peters and Kaneaiakala (I think that is the correct spelling) played for Kaiser about 37 years ago. That's an awfully long time ago. They're both in their mid-50s now. I remember Kaneaiakala had that mean afro when he was QB his senior year.Kianakuuipo wrote: ↑Sat Apr 14, 2018 3:39 pmThank you for mentioning him, that's my dad and it was really nice to come across this today <3 even tho you both probably wont read this as i am 8 years late
Re: Favorite Hawaii High School Receiver of All-Time
Agree re. Itula Mili. George Smith too. Pisa Finai, Kyle Mosley, Rick Wagner, Aaron Lorenzo, John Kamana. Probably missing someone. By the way, that OC Sports commentator Rory Kim was an all-star WR at Waipahu.
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Re: Favorite Hawaii High School Receiver of All-Time
I know besides going on to play in the NFL and winning a Super Bowl with the 49ers, he was also an accomplished pro wrestler, and competed on “The Superstars”, a TV sports program that could be considered a predecessor to “American Gladiators”.
I believe Russ and his brother held the Hawaii Tag Team titles at one point for the American Wrestling Association.
He also tried his hand in politics, losing to longtime incumbent Patsy Mink, who of course was well known for Title IX, as all of us sports fans know.
What a great and exhilarating life he had when he was younger. I believe he is still alive today.