Yates in limelight

Kealakehe was leading Hilo by a goal in the Big Island Interscholastic Federation Division I championship game in early February when it earned a direct kick.

There was only one man for the job.

Using deft touch instead of his booming leg, Keoni Yates sent a perfectly placed ball to the penalty box, where Scott Henderson redirected it into the net.

Henderson was credited with the goal, but many in the Waveriders’ crowd knew which player to thank, shouting, “Keoni.”

Yates spent the past two seasons on the soccer field content to help others reach the limelight during undefeated league title runs, and he did it so well that for the second consecutive year his name shines brightest.

“It’s an honor and I’m very excited again,” said Yates, a rare repeat boys BIIF Player of the Year, as voted by the coaches. “Just thankful over the past two years that I had the support of my team, my coaches, my family, my friends.”

If his play on the soccer field is any indication, the senior midfielder gives as well as he receives. Yates scored his share of goals, led the Waveriders in assists and was a terror on set pieces, but his best contributions didn’t always show up directly on the score sheet.

“I try to make others look as good as I can,” Yates said. “An assist is just as good as a goal for me. I’m just happy that I’m there supporting us, and they’re supporting me.

“I definitely love setting up other players. It’s nice to be in the spotlight. But if you’re always in the shadows and you know you’re doing something well and supporting others, it feels just as good.”

Coach Urs Leuenberger said Yates provided the Waveriders with “absolute control” of the middle of the field, often making it seem as if Kealakehe had a 12th man on the field.

“He had a fantastic ability as a defensive midfielder and offensive midfielder in both capacities,” said Leuenberger, who was voted Coach of the Year. “On defense he was very hard to beat, and on offense he was a field general.”

Kealakehe’s defense was thought to be a potential weak spot entering the season, but Yates helped shore up the area. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Greyson Moore and fullbacks Daniel Caudell and Tyler Deverse also earned first-team All-BIIF honors, as did Henderson, the team’s leading scorer, at striker.

The Vikings placed four players on the coaches’ team in fullbacks Casey Nakatsu and Dylan Silva, freshman forward Nikolai Shumov and midfielder Andrew Dawrs. Striker Hajime Hayano, midfielder Miles Marshall and fullback Tyler Kerr were selected from Waiakea and Konawaena midfielder Angel Valdovinos rounded out the list.

The Waveriders have won three consecutive titles and seven since 2004, and Leuenberger is proud of the way his program is able sustain its success, losing one key player only to replace him with another.

“Everyone is replaceable,” said Yates, a four-year starter who carries a 3.7 grade point average.

This time, Leuenberger isn’t so sure.

“Maybe we’ll use two players to replace him,” he said.

Yates is already on the case, citing freshman Laukoa Santos as one of his proteges.

“I’m definitely a role model on the team and Scott and me were the leaders,” Yates said. “We pushed together, knowing that after this year when we’re gone, they’ll be ready to play at the next level.”

Leuenberger noted Yates’ unselfish attitude on the soccer field mirrors his personality in general.

True to his nature, Yates wouldn’t take any credit, thanking parents John and Marce.

“They’ve been there for me since Day 1,” said Yates, who hopes to whittle down his offers and make a college selection soon.