Adversity has been a common theme for Rustin Funakoshi in his athletic career.

As a youngster he wasn't slated to be a star, maybe not even a starter, and when he arrived at Mililani High School adversity met him head on again. This time, however, he was ready.

The quarterback has grown from a miniscule utility player in Pop Warner and is now in position to lead the Trojans to a whole new level.

With the three-year starter at the helm, Mililani, ranked fourth in The Advertiser's Top 10 Poll, sits atop the O'ahu Interscholastic Association's Red West Division at 3-1. The Trojans are 5-1 overall.

Funakoshi has thrown for 795 yards and five touchdowns. He's also rushed for 165 yards and a score.

It wasn't always as easy as he makes it seem. Funakoshi went through his share of struggles.

"In Pop Warner he played a lot of different positions — line, receiver, defensive end, defensive back, quarterback — but he didn't like quarterback," said Eric Funakoshi, Rustin's dad. "The coaches didn't give him too much of a chance, but I knew he kind of had it in him; he just had to prove it to his coaches."

Funakoshi joined the junior varsity as a freshman in 2005 and was a third-team safety in preseason.

"I told him, 'You're going to have to work hard to get a starting position,' " Eric Funakoshi said. "Sure enough, he worked his way up the depth chart, started at safety and he even got an interception in his first game."

COACHES SAW POTENTIAL

It has been that way for Funakoshi. He's had to work for everything that has come his way.

Funakoshi was hesitant when an opportunity was presented to return to quarterback, but knowing it would be best for his team, he accepted.

"One of my friends told the JV coach I played quarterback in Pop Warner," he said. "He tried me out and I've been a quarterback ever since."

After his freshman year, Funakoshi was approached by former Mililani head coach James Millwood about moving up to the varsity.

"When the coaches asked me to be quarterback, I was shocked. I didn't think I could play at that level," he said.

Funakoshi was a 15-year-old sophomore at the controls of a team coming off its first — and only — OIA championship game appearance.

"He was kind of forced into the position," Millwood recalled. "I know he wanted to be a safety, but we brought him up because I had enough confidence that I could foresee him being able to play the position."

HE'S NOW A NATURAL

Change was coming at Mililani and in the middle of all of it was a new offensive coordinator and his junior quarterback.

The offensive coordinator at the time, Darnell Arceneaux, implemented new schemes and passing routes into the otherwise run-first Trojan offense.

"I thought he was young, he looked very raw," said Arceneaux, a former quarterback. "He looked like an athlete, though, and he had some confidence."

It wasn't the smoothest transition, but slowly Funakoshi began to grasp the offense.

"I've learned a lot from him (Arceneaux). I understand so much more about the game and going through my reads," Funakoshi said. "He's helped me a lot ever since he got here."

Arceneaux, who played at the University of Utah and for the now-defunct Hawaiian Islanders arena football team, was the head coach at his alma mater, Saint Louis, in 2004 before taking over for Millwood this season.

"He's spent a lot of time, a lot of summers working on his ability to throw the football," Arceneaux said of Funakoshi. "We've spent serious hours during the summer on fundamentals. All that stuff comes so naturally now. He's got the fundamental stuff down."

This year Arceneaux has opened up the playbook and let his senior work his craft.

"He understands the game; he knows where to go with the ball," said Arceneaux. "He can come to the sideline and he tells me what he sees and I trust his judgment."

The difference has been monumental and others have taken notice.

"His mechanics really improved. You can tell that Darnell had really worked with him on his quarterbacking skills," said 'Aiea head coach Wendell Say.

Added Kapolei head coach Darren Hernandez: "Mililani's offense has evolved from a pure running game. Last year he learned a new offense with coach Arceneaux and this year he has a command of that offense. He puts them in a position to win."

COMMANDING PRESENCE

But Funakoshi's best skill is one that can't be taught.

"His experience and his leadership are huge factors," Hernandez said. "Whenever you have a three-year starter at quarterback, that's about as close as you can get to a 10-year veteran for an NFL franchise."

Earlier this season, with Mililani trailing rival Leilehua, 14-13, Funakoshi converted several first downs on a late drive, including a crucial fourth-and-long.

The Trojans got a field goal and went on to beat the Mules, 16-14.

"He looks like a field general now," Arceneaux said. "He may not throw for huge numbers, but his game management can't be replaced. Some quarterbacks don't want it to be close, but I think Rustin plays better when the game is on the line."

His former coach says Funakoshi's presence is his best quality.

"You have young players around him," Millwood said. "Just being in the huddle, his presence, they believe in him that he can move the ball down the field and score."

ROLE MODEL FOR YOUTHS

There was the time Funakoshi was stricken with a 102-degree fever on game day last season.

"His mom soaked him in the tub in ice water before the game," said Eric Funakoshi. He threw for 223 yards and two touchdowns, helping the Trojans beat Radford, 27-21.

But it goes beyond the football field for Funakoshi.

"I'm trying to be a leader and trying to set an example for the rest of my teammates," he said. "It's about being a good role model. We help the community a lot and a lot of the young kids, they look up to us. We all try to be role models for them."

Roz Funakoshi could not be prouder of her son.

"He's under a lot of pressure," she said. "Football is definitely a team sport, but the skill positions tend to either take the glory for the win or take the blame for the loss. It's hard for teenagers to live life and perform onfield while still leading others, but Rustin would always go and help the other kids and I still see that today."

Reach Kalani Takase at ktakase@honoluluadvertiser.com.