Pearl City’s Cyrus Coen will be playing his last football game on the high school level when he competes this Friday, December 3rd in the Hawaii Union Builders Foundation Goodwill Senior Bowl at 7:00pm at Kapolei High School. The game features a collection of the best high school football performers from the Oahu Interscholastic Association and Interscholastic League of Honolulu.

Playing the running back and free safety positions this season, Coen was instrumental in helping the Chargers accomplish a successful run into the OIA White Division playoffs.  As a running back, Coen collected 538 ground yards on 61 attempts for 8.8 yards per carry with nine touchdowns in addition to 89 receiving yards. He is considered a major college prospect for his toughness on the field and his academic achievements in the classroom.

The son of Norman and Malia Coen averaged slightly more than seven tackles a game for a Pearl City defense that limited opponents to 15 points per outing.

According to Pearl City coach Kai Kamaka, the six-foot, 205-pound senior has a positive attitude and bright future.
“He’s an outstanding football player , a very hard worker and a person who never complains. Our team benefited the past three seasons from his ability to be a leader on the field. There are several colleges who are interested in having a player of his caliber on their team,” Kamaka said.
 
Scouts say Coen is a combination of speed and power who is capable of being a major contributor on a college team. He spends hours in the weight room and has recently been clocked at 4.5 in the 40-yard dash.  “I just try to do the best that I can do,” Coen said. “Whatever I can do to help my team is my primary concern.”

Coen played outside linebacker last season for Pearl City, but made the transition to free safety this season so he could improve upon his opportunity of reaping a football scholarship. Defensive back is the position which scouts say Coen is best suited for in college.

“We wanted to give Coen the best chance of getting a (football) scholarship,” Kamaka said. “He ‘s an enthusiastic learner and was able to strengthen his knowledge of playing this position very quicker.  “I like playing defense, but I also like being a running back. Playing both gave me good insight on how to be a better defender in stopping receivers and plugging holes in defensive coverage,” Coen said.  “I’ve gotten better at seeing plays develop and I try to use my speed to get to where the opposing team is directing its offense,” Coen said.

Coen excels in the classroom with a 3.8 grade-point average and a 1,630 SAT score.  “I know that if I do get an opportunity to play college ball then I will have to do well in the classroom as well,” Coen. “So I try to work hard in completing my class assignments. I think that my efforts in the classroom will be a positive factor in my future life.”