Islander getting looks from mainland

Going into the season of 2003 much was expected out of running back Raynold Stowers (6-2, 215, 4.4) from Honolulu (Hawaii) Iolani. Why not? He was terrific in 2002 when he was a junior. Stowers rushed for over 1,027 yards. The 1,000 yard milestone has only been reached 16 times in Interscholastic League of Honolulu history.

Stowers work exceedingly hard in the off-season and it paid off when he attended USC’s football camp last summer. He was selected the camp’s MVP for running backs.

At the camp Stowers was timed in the 40 at 4.4 seconds and leaped an impressive 34-inch inch vertical jump. He also lifted 185 pounds 23 times. His maximum press is 295 pounds.

It was all set up for Stowers to be one of the four players in Honolulu history to be a two-time 1,000 yard rusher.

That would have put him in the elite company of Mosi Tatupu who went on to star for USC and New England, Joey Iger of Cal Bear fame and current University of Hawaii running back Pesefea Fiaseu.

The injury bug hit Stowers and he only played 3 ½ games and still he go halfway there rushing for 535 yards and five touchdowns.

Stowers’ coach at Iolani high is Ray Sayers, the nephew of the Kansas Comet, Gale Sayers.

Stowers gives a lot credit to Sayers for his improvement as a running back. It also helps that Stowers is a very hard worker who makes football a very important part of his life.

Though Stowers was slowed this season with an injury. He is still getting long looks from schools that have been able identify island talent and have been successful with players from the rock.

Wisconsin, Oregon, Oregon State, Utah and Hawaii are all looking at Stowers.

There could be more as the Stowers family is sending out film to Washington, Washington State and other schools.