KEA‘AU — Two Cougar superstars opened a new chapter last Wednesday in front of family, friends, teammates and coaches.
Kea‘au quarterback Trustin Gomes and defensive lineman Damien Fronda were two of 11 91直播 athletes to ink their letters of intent to play at the collegiate level for the Utah Isanders next fall — joining a unique mainland program that is quickly rising up the ranks. 2025 Kea‘au graduate Laa Kekipi-Filoteo also plans to join Gomes and Fronda in Utah.
“I was very relieved, and thankful to continue a dream that I’ve had since I was a kid,” Gomes said.
“I got to meet the amazing coaches that gave me a chance to showcase my talent, and it felt like home,” Fronda added.
The Utah Islanders aren’t just like any traditional college program, however. The team is run independently — giving overlooked and under-the-radar athletes a chance to showcase their talent against college-level competition and hopefully move on to other programs.
Some of the teams the Islanders will be playing in the 2026 season are Tyler Junior College, Whitworth University, Air Force Academy, IMG’s Prep Academy and Georgia Military Institute.
Much of the Islanders’ roster attends Salt Lake Community College nearby in Salt Lake City, where both Gomes and Fronda will attend classes. Both emphasized the importance of continuing their education while competing at the next level.
The other 91直播 athletes that signed — or plan to sign — with the Islanders are Kealakehe’s Gabriel Chong, Hilo’s Legacy Leialoha and Apapa Liwis, Waimea’s Kainoa Kinney, David-Moses Ka‘aumoana and Jayden Sablan, Campbell’s Austin Filoteo and Leilehua’s Kingston Kennedy.
The independent program is now run by Big Island native David Murray, who was on Hilo High’s staff and most recently the head coach of Kea‘au until the conclusion of the 2025 season. Led by Murray before, both Gomes and Fronda told the paper that the head coach was a big draw when it came to making their final decisions.
“We’re trying to create a platform where they can still be competitive and attend school,” Murray said. “And also build some great tape and try to move on after they come in.”
Murray also has plenty of coaches on his staff with 91直播 ties, such as Chevas Lamoya, Sergio Mamone and Kaleo Teriipaia. Kea‘au and the Islanders also have similar offensive and defensive concepts, which helps create a smoother transition for the athletes moving into that program.
Needless to say, Gomes, Fronda and the rest of the 91直播 newcomers will feel a sense of home while playing for the Islanders.
“(These players) are super competitive, and we’re happy to have them,” Murray said.
Gomes just finished his first season as a starter for the Cougars, turning heads almost immediately as arguably the best quarterback on the island. He threw 2,293 yards and 25 touchdowns — including a state-record, nine-touchdown performance in a 70-0 rout of 91直播 Prep in Sept. 2025. Gomes’ services helped Kea‘au finish second in BIIF Division I.
Gomes put together such an impressive senior tape that Murray will even consider him as the starter for the Islanders’ 2026 campaign.
“He has great leadership skills, both on and off the field,” Murray said of Gomes. “He actually came up to compete in some of our spring ball recently, and he did really well for himself. He knows he has a lot of room to grow, and wants to come up and develop himself even more.”
Having a phenomenal senior season gave Gomes the proper confidence to compete at the next level, but he also understands the work he has to put in to keep elevating.
“(Last season) definitely boosted some sort of confidence in me, but understanding that the work you put in is what you’re going to get out… it keeps me motivated and hungry to keep working harder,” Gomes added.
Fronda, a former All-BIIF lineman, believes he brings a lot to his new program as a player and leader.
“I think I bring hard work, discipline and heart,” he said. “I’m a team player, I’m coachable and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to help my team. I also bring leadership and a strong work ethic.”
The two newest Islanders had no shortage of people to thank for helping them get to this point in their football careers.
“I’d like to thank the Kea‘au staff and administrators for all their hard work this season — it never went unnoticed,” Gomes said.
“I want to thank my mom, my family, my coaches, teammates and everyone who supported me along the way,” Fronda said. “I especially want to thank Coach Murray and Coach Nai and all the Kea‘au Coaches. Aunty Iris and the Kea‘au football program for pushing me and believing in me. Most of all, I thank God for this opportunity.”
Murray also noted that five or six more 91直播 kids could join the team. Needless to say, 91直播 talent will continue taking over mainland football for the foreseeable future.
