Hard-hitting Hawaiian leads Central Catholic defense

In a cramped and crowded locker room, where ankles are taped, the music blasts and traffic buzzes about, Central Catholic linebacker Kekupa’a Freehauf manages to find a private space.

A quiet moment.

On one knee, he prays for a safe and successful journey for his team. In the same breath, he asks his ancestors for their legendary strength.

Freehauf comes from a rich Hawaiian bloodline. His mother, May Freehauf, is a distant relative of King Kamehameha, or Kamehameha the Great, the first king of the Hawaiian islands. According to ancient prophecy, he who moved the 7,000-pound Naha Stone would one day unite the islands. Kamehameha was 14 when he flipped the stone like a tire.

Talk about a tough act to follow.

While Freehauf doesn’t possess superhuman strength, his reputation as a player and leader for the three-time reigning state champions is rock solid. The 6-foot-1, 245-pound senior is one of four defenders to wear the coveted black practice jersey, which is awarded by defensive coordinator Billy Hylla and symbolizes excellence in all facets of the game.

Quite simply, Freehauf has become the face of the Stanislaus District’s stingiest defense, amassing a team-high 123 tackles. Central Catholic shut out its first two playoff opponents and then limited No. 5 Placer to 14 points – the Hillmen scored on the final play during a running-clock fourth quarter – and fewer than 50 rushing yards. Placer entered the game with the Sac-Joaquin Section’s second-most prolific offense.

“To get to this point, every game is a big game. You’re promised 10 games and then you lose and you’re done,” Central Catholic coach Roger Canepa said. “Last week was a big week, because you lose and you’re done. This week, we lose and we’re done. It’s not much different.”

Freehauf’s task Friday night isn’t to lift a 7,000-pound stone but to help raise another blue felt banner.

Top-seeded Central Catholic (13-0) will take on No. 2 Oakdale (12-1) in the Division III championship at Lincoln High in Stockton. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

At its basic level, the matchup is a battle of wills: Oakdale’s supercharged offense versus Central Catholic’s unyielding defense.

Oakdale averages 46 points per game. In his 16 years at the helm, coach Trent Merzon can’t recall a more productive offense.

The Mustangs feature a fourth-year varsity player at quarterback (Adam Olsen), four returning offensive linemen (right tackle Louis Marsella, center Alex Pena, right guard Zac Cardoza and left guard Eric Jackson), an all-league-caliber tight end (Greg Hickman) and, of course, The Killer B’s: running backs Brad Aquino, Austin Burke and Bobby DePuy.

“I can’t remember a group averaging 40-something a game,” Merzon said. “We scored 51 points against an undefeated Inderkum team.”

Central Catholic isn’t shocked by any of this. At this stage of the season, the Raiders are well-versed in the wing-T and its many variations. Central Catholic held off Oakdale in their regular-season finale 42-37 on Nov. 6 to win the Valley Oak League championship.

Last week, the Raiders stymied Placer, which runs a similar wing-T.

“They’re different types of offenses. Placer wants to go outside a little more, while Oakdale wants to run the ball inside a little more. Everybody’s different,” Canepa said. “They run some different plays and formations, but it is an advantage. I’d be lying if I said it didn’t help, but we still have to stop them.”

Having the hard-hitting Hawaiian helps.

“Before each game, I’ll get on one knee, pray to God and ask him for his help,” Freehauf said. “I can feel my Hawaiian side raging up inside of me. I channel what we call the ‘mana’ (energy). I channel it inside me and then let them feel it.”

Believe it or not, there is a softer side to this hulking linebacker.

His bloodline serves as a catalyst and an anchoring point. While Freehauf is powered by the “mana” and the legend of King Kamehameha, he draws his inspiration from a modern-day hero: his mother, May, whose personal sacrifice has afforded Freehauf the Central Catholic experience.

“She has been my rock throughout high school. All things aside, I wouldn’t be able to do anything without that woman. She’s been my everything,” he said. “The sacrifices she and my dad made for me to attend and stay at Central Catholic ... it’s been a rough road, but we have hunkered down and I’m grateful to them for it.”

This story was originally published December 2, 2015 at 5:05 PM with the headline "Hard-hitting Hawaiian leads Central Catholic defense."