Seven months ago, Reggie Torres added a thick slab of beef and big scoop of rice to his proverbial full plate of duties.

Tomorrow night, he hopes to add the "gravy all over."

Torres, the rookie head coach of Kahuku High School's prodigious football program, will try to guide the Red Raiders (10-2) to their fifth state championship in seven years when they take on fellow powerhouse Saint Louis (11-0) at Aloha Stadium.

Kickoff is set for 8 p.m., following the Division II title game between Kaua'i (9-0) and King Kekaulike (8-3-1) at 5.

If Kahuku wins, Torres will become the first Hawai'i high school coach to win state championships in three different sports. He guided the Red Raiders to boys and girls wrestling state titles last season and led Kahuku to state crowns in girls wrestling in 2002 and 2003, and boys wrestling in 2004. Torres also coached the Red Raider girls to judo state championships in 2003 and 2004.

Punahou's Chris McLachlin (boys volleyball and basketball) is the only other coach to lead a school to state championships in more than one sport.

But as usual, Torres emphasizes that it's not all about him.

"This media attention is crazy," Torres said yesterday after completing six different interviews with newspaper, TV and radio reporters. "There's so much people — the kids, the assistant coaches — who deserve (coverage) more than me."

The camera-shy Torres endures the media circus, plus other unwanted distractions, and somehow manages his skillful juggling act for two main reasons.

"I love working with kids," he said, "and I love sports. That's what makes me want to do it."

Torres, a 1983 Kahuku graduate, already had his hands full before Siuaki Livai resigned as the Red Raiders' varsity football coach in March after 10 seasons at the helm. Torres was Kahuku's JV head coach for all 10 of those years, and has been head coach for boys wrestling since 1993, girls wrestling since 1998 and boys and girls judo since 1992.

He works at the school as an educational assistant and assistant athletic director during the day, and at night he oversees City and County recreational programs at Kahuku like basketball, volleyball and indoor soccer leagues. When school's not in session, he's involved with the area's summer fun program.

"I haven't had (regular) eight hours sleep in years," said Torres, who also is married with three kids. "Sometimes, I have a hard time sleeping at all, because I'm trying to think about how (the programs) can get better."

Last Friday, the morning of the Red Raiders' football state semifinal against Baldwin, Torres was on the wrestling mat coaching boys and girls who already began practice the week before.

On Wednesdays, he coaches both sports because school gets out early.

Top assistant Jeff Parker and staff members Lucas Cadina, Scott Whitehead, Moki Galletes and Keala Alo have been running wrestling practices in the meantime, but Torres will go back to daily wrestling duty on Monday.

His football counterpart tomorrow, Saint Louis' Delbert Tengan, has a similar overlapping schedule as the Crusaders' varsity basketball head coach.

And Tengan can relate to Torres in other ways, having taken over as head football coach for Cal Lee, who guided the Crusaders to 18 league and 14 Prep Bowl/state championships. Tengan said even 15 years as an assistant to Lee and being a basketball head coach did not fully prepare him to be Lee's successor.

"It's definitely two different animals," Tengan said. "Until you take over a varsity football program that is nationally acclaimed, you never really know what you are going to go through."

Despite Kahuku's glittering 10-2 record, No. 2 ranking in The Advertiser's statewide Top 10 poll of coaches and media, and a return to the state championship game with only four returning starters (two each on offense and defense), Torres has had more than his share of critics lurking in the Red Raiders' passionate but insatiable football community.

The most common complaint is that Kahuku's run-dominated option offense — which completed only one pass (for 5 yards) in its first three postseason games — is boring and overly simplistic.

But Torres said there are reasons the Red Raiders haven't taken to the air more often.

"We've had key injuries and guys (sitting) out, so we haven't had the same offensive line together for two straight weeks all season," Torres said. "We need the whole line to be communicating and on the same page, but every week, it's like we have a new starting five. So we have to keep things simple.

"We've been strong running, and it's high-percentage with the least amount of mistakes."

Torres knew criticism would be part of the job, but he admits disappointment in comments directed at the players.

"The kids are hurt by some things that are being said," Torres said. "You can get mad at the coaches, but don't be mad at the kids, because they can't control what play is being called. They're just trying to enjoy football."

But Torres said the complaints represent a vocal minority.

"We have lots of support in the community," Torres said. "True fans will be with us win or lose."

And despite the critics, Torres has his own legion of supporters.

"Reggie's strength is that he's good with people," said Moanalua athletic director Joel Kawachi, a close friend who has coached wrestling with and against Torres. "He's always about more than wins and losses; he's concerned about the kids as people first, students second and athletes third. That's what he brings — he's a positive for all his programs."

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.