Ucciardi’s journey mirrored Kalaheo football’s remarkable turnaround

When Sean Ucciardi looks back on his four years at Kalaheo High School, he doesn’t just see sacks, all-star honors or a college football scholarship.

He sees a football program that grew up alongside him.

As a freshman, Ucciardi was part of a Kalaheo team that finished 1-8 overall and 1-6 in OIA play. Wins were scarce, confidence was hard to come by and the Mustangs were searching for a new direction.

Four years later, Ucciardi walked out of Kalaheo as one of the school’s most accomplished football players, helping lead the Mustangs to a 7-2 record, the No. 2 seed in the OIA Division II playoffs and signing to continue his career at Valley City State University in North Dakota.

“This is just an amazing feeling,” Ucciardi said during a signing ceremony held in Kalaheo’s gymnasium on his final day of high school. “I’m so happy that Valley City is giving me this opportunity. It’s been a long football journey. My freshman year we were 1-8 and it was just a rough time all around. Then we had a great coaching change and it’s just been getting better from here.”

The turning point for both player and program came when Jaymason Lee was hired before Ucciardi’s sophomore season.

Lee inherited a team coming off a one-win campaign. The Mustangs improved to 2-5 in his first season before reaching the OIA Division II playoffs a year later with a 4-5 overall record.

By Ucciardi’s senior year, Kalaheo had become one of the league’s top programs.

The Mustangs finished 7-2 overall, went 5-2 in conference play and entered the postseason as the No. 2 seed.

“I’m just happy that I can be a piece in making the school better and just the football better,” Ucciardi said.

The 6-foot-1, 215-pound standout became the face of that turnaround because he was willing to play wherever the team needed him.

As a sophomore defensive lineman, he recorded five sacks, including three in a victory over McKinley that snapped a three-game losing streak during Lee’s inaugural season. He earned honorable mention All-Hawaii honors and second-team All-OIA recognition.

Sean Ucciardi tracks the quarterback in a game against Kalani during his junior season. | Photo: Michael Lasquero

His junior season was even more impressive.

Ucciardi exploded for one of the state’s top defensive campaigns, earning First Team All-OIA and First Team All-Hawaii honors as an edge rusher. His season included a nationally televised performance against Waialua in which he recorded five sacks.

Instead of building on those numbers at defensive end as a senior, Ucciardi embraced a different challenge.

He moved to middle linebacker on defense while also sliding to center on offense, taking over responsibilities that required leadership as much as athletic ability.

“I wouldn’t even call it a sacrifice playing linebacker,” Ucciardi said. “I’ve always wanted to play linebacker. Stats might show that I’m better at edge rusher, but I’m definitely a linebacker, and I’m looking forward to being a linebacker from now on.”

Lee said that selflessness defined Ucciardi’s career.

Sean Ucciardi prepares to snap the ball in a Kalaheo Mustangs game against Kalani. | Photo: Michael Lasquero

“Sean played everywhere on the line for us and everywhere on the D-line for us,” Lee said. “Going into his senior year he took it upon himself to take over the center position, moving from left tackle and left guard. He became the quarterback of the line because he understood all the plays and the whole system. He helped direct the line in their protections and blocking assignments.”

Learning middle linebacker presented another challenge.

“We put him in an uncomfortable position,” Lee said. “He was an edge rusher in the trenches, and now we’re forcing him to get into pass coverage and play downhill at the same time. He took that on and did a really good job for us.”

The move didn’t slow him down.

Ucciardi earned First Team All-OIA honors at linebacker and a Second Team All-Hawaii selection while also earning Second Team All-OIA recognition as an offensive lineman.

For Ucciardi, though, Lee’s biggest impact came away from the field.

Kalaheo football coach Jaymason Lee looks on during a game against Kalani. | Photo: Michael Lasquero

“Coach Jaymason has made me a stronger person emotionally and physically,” Ucciardi said.

“When my sophomore year rolled around, I was really dejected from the season before and worried about having to prove myself. But I never had to prove myself to Coach Jaymason. He saw me as the player I was. He saw my potential and wanted to bring out the best in me and make me a better player and just a stronger person. Because of him, he’s made me so much better.”

His next opportunity will take him thousands of miles from home.

Valley City State has quietly become one of the strongest landing spots for Hawaiʻi football players, with 11 island athletes on the Vikings’ roster during the 2025 season. Offensive coordinator Dustin Yorek has spearheaded the recruiting effort, while a partnership with Fantastic Sams Hawaiʻi has created additional scholarship opportunities for student-athletes from the islands.

Ucciardi said his relationship with Yorek made the decision easy.

“He was very kind,” Ucciardi said. “He had everything laid out and gave me all the information I needed. He answered all my questions and we kept really good contact.

“When I went out to visit, I met with him and a bunch of the other coaches. I had a great tour. Everyone was so kind and helpful. I even met some of the players. Just great vibes all around.”

Valley City State recruited him as a middle linebacker, the position he always envisioned playing.

“I’ve been recruited as a middle linebacker,” Ucciardi said. “I’m looking forward to doing some good work over there.”

Off the field, Ucciardi plans to major in pre-occupational therapy before pursuing a master’s degree in occupational therapy.

Long after the awards are forgotten, Ucciardi hopes his legacy at Kalaheo will be remembered for something bigger than statistics.

His career began with a one-win season and ended with the Mustangs among the OIA’s best. In helping change the trajectory of the program, Ucciardi also changed the trajectory of his own future.

Sean Ucciardi poses fro a photo with his family. | Photo: Michael Lasquero