Offensive Player

VENTURA —  Big brother was watching Freddy Keiaho. And smiling.

As Keiaho bulled over linebackers, closed in on school records and helped Buena High capture another Channel League title, he also staked a claim to an important family matter.

Keiaho, a senior running back, showed he was just as tough as his older brother by rushing for 2,159 yards and 29 touchdowns in 256 carries, narrowly missing school records of 2,210 yards and 30 touchdowns set by his brother, George, in 1993.

Keiaho, 5 feet 11 and 203 pounds, broke his brother’s school record by averaging 8.4 yards per carry and is The Times’ Ventura County offensive player of the year.

Keiaho’s most memorable performance came against Ventura, which finished as the Times’ No. 2-ranked team in the region.

Keiaho, also a standout linebacker, committed to San Diego State early in the week before rushing for 198 yards and three touchdowns in 28 carries in Buena’s 28-21 victory over cross-town rival Ventura--the Cougars’ only loss of the season.

The score was tied, 21-21, entering the fourth quarter when Buena mounted a 15-play, 84-yard drive that lasted 6:43 and featured eight carries by Keiaho for 38 yards. Quarterback Andrew Paulson scored from one yard to give Buena the lead and, ultimately, the Channel League championship.

“Early in the game, [Keiaho] ran over a bunch of their [defensive backs],” Coach Rick Scott said. “Later in the game, they got out of his way. They wanted no part of him. His style was to run hard, run over people and wear them down.”

Keiaho had 181 yards in 24 carries in a playoff game against Arroyo Grande, including a 71-yard touchdown on Buena’s second play. He also scored on a 12-yard run, but Buena lost, 31-27, ending high school career.

But not before making an indelible impression.

OFFENSIVE TEAM

Chris Denove / Agoura

6-1, 195, Sr.

Quarterback

Denove led Agoura the Division IV semifinals, passing for 2,930 yards and 26 touchdowns.

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Ben Olson / Thousand Oaks

6-5, 210, Jr.

Quarterback

Expected to be among the region’s top recruits next season, Olson passed for 2,907 yards and 17 touchdowns.

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Lorenzo Booker / St. Bonaventure

5-11, 171, Jr.

Running back

Booker ran for 3,103 yards and 45 touchdowns in leading the Seraphs to a 14-0 record and Division XI title.

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Dave Anderson / Thousand Oaks

6-0, 185, Jr.

Receiver

Fearless over the middle, Anderson had a school-record 83 catches for 1,150 yards and seven touchdowns.

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Whitney Lewis / St. Bonaventure

6-0, 174, So.

Receiver

Lewis led the county with 17 touchdown catches. He finished with 50 catches for 959 yards.

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Casey Andrews / Ventura

6-4, 270, Sr.

Line

The physical tackle had a mean streak matched only by his performance on the field.

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Bill Griffin / Ventura

6-4, 270, Sr.

Line

Griffin, a center, was captain of the line that sprung Tyler Ebell for a national-record 4,494 yards.

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Mark Manning / Westlake

6-2, 295, Sr.

Line

The Warriors’ only returning starter on offense, Manning was a powerful run- and pass-blocker.

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Matt Bouvet / St. Bonaventure

6-1, 236, Sr.

Line

The polished player was a key part of a line that created holes for Lorenzo Booker’s 3,103-yard season.

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Monte McNair / Oak Park

6-0, 170, Jr.

Kicker

McNair, who also played receiver, made seven of eight field-goal attempts, including a 53-yarder.