Pirates’ tailback is carrying ample share

Daily hardships and family sacrifices have been incurred in order for Kevin Ah-Hi to pursue the chance to earn a free college education in the United States.

So, Saturday, with his father in the stands, having flown in from Idaho, Ah-Hi was more than happy to show he, too, was carrying his share of the load.

Carry, and carry, and carry he did. An Orange Coast College-record 48 carries later, Ah-Hi had amassed 266 rushing yards, just nine shy of the school single-game record, while helping the Pirates earn a 20-14 triumph over Mission Conference American Division rival Long Beach at OCC.

After being blanketed with congratulations from teammates and coaches from both teams, and also dealing with the media after Saturday’s game, Ah-Hi was eager to share the experience with his father, Vena.

“I hugged him and told him, ‘There you go,’ ” Ah-Hi said of the postgame exchange.

Vena had already sent text messages detailing Kevin’s exploits to Kevin’s mother and sister back in Coeur d’laine, as well as to three of Kevin’s sisters and two nieces back in their native New Zealand.

“And then they read the Daily Pilot online at like 1 a.m.,” Kevin Ah-Hi said, proudly.

Ah-Hi says his father is his inspiration, but he draws strength from sacrifices made by his entire family in order for him to play.

“My family believes in me, even though sometimes I wonder why they believe in me,” Ah-Hi said. “But they have all put a lot into me being here. They want me to take football as far as I can. An education at a four-year school is pretty expensive. They all want me to get that degree.”

The family moved from New Zealand to Idaho in 2001 and Kevin, the youngest, was encouraged to apply his skills as a ballcarrier in rugby, to the football field.

Initially, it was not a comfortable fit.

“I was excited to play football, until I got my first pads and helmet,” Ah-Hi said. “I wasn’t too happy about that big old helmet. I thought it was going to weigh me down. And coming from a rugby background, wearing a helmet is kind of a wussy thing to do.”

Ah-Hi, who played for the U.S. national under-19 rugby team last summer, adjusted, however, and went on to play tailback and defensive end at Coeur d’laine High.

“I didn’t really understand the game, at first, so on defense they just told me to go get the quarterback,” Ah-Hi recalled. And on offense, they said ‘Just score.’ ”

He drew recruiting interest from Idaho, Boise State and Washington State, but with SAT scores insufficient to qualify at the Division I level, Ah-Hi eventually settled at Division I-AA Montana State.

Little did he know, he was entering a storm of controversy in Billings, where the football program was generating national criticism due to widespread misconduct among its players.

Ah-Hi, who was redshirting, realized very quickly that Montana State was not the place for him.

So, through former Orange Coast assistant coach Lee Wheeler, he made contact with Pirates Coach Mike Taylor, and Ah-Hi soon joined a collection of fellow Samoan players in Costa Mesa.

“I was the new kid for one day,” Ah-Hi said. “Then, there were a lot of guys who took me under their wing. They really helped take away my homesickness.”

On the field, Ah-Hi, a 6-foot, 210-pound freshman, battled sophomore incumbent Andrew Banks for playing time.

But when Banks was hurt in practice before the Oct. 17 Fullerton game, a double-overtime win for the Pirates, Ah-Hi stepped into the spotlight as the featured ballcarrier.

He produced 126 yards and both overtime touchdowns on 30 carries against the Hornets.

Ah-Hi injured a shoulder in the first quarter and missed the rest of the Nov. 3 game against El Camino, but returned to the lineup against Long Beach.

Against the Vikings, he gained at least three yards on 39 of his attempts, including a 14-yard touchdown with 5:09 that broke a 14-14 deadlock.

Though the Pirates (4-5, 2-2 in the division) face Golden West College in a season-ending makeup game tonight at 7 at OCC, Ah-Hi has already been named second-team All-American Division by coaches.

Heading into tonight, he has 738 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 165 carries.

He also has two receptions for 16 yards.

Ah-Hi said he will obtain his associate arts degree at the end of the fall semester, so he could move on, should a four-year school come through with a scholarship offer.

But he may also return to OCC for next season, a prospect Taylor would whole-heartedly support.

Ah-Hi said he was in no shape to return to the field Sunday, after the physical toll of his 48 carries finally set in.

“I had to take my dad to the airport, but when I woke up, I couldn’t move,” he said. “Finally, my dad got me going, but I was definitely feeling those 48 carries.”

BARRY FAULKNER may be reached at (714) 966-4615 or at [email protected].