They are from different schools in different divisions.

Yet, Leilehua's Kamana Akagi and 'Aiea's Phillip Madriaga have been brought together by another aspect that high school athletics provides: citizenship.

What started with an innocent e-mail has developed into a bond between the two receivers.

It started when Madriaga, a 5-foot-8, 160-pound junior, noticed how a player of similar stature was having a great season. Akagi, a 5-9, 170-pound senior, is second in Division I with 983 receiving yards.

But Madriaga was recently going through a rough spell. He had just lost his uncle, Wayne Lonso, after a two-year bout with leukemia. He had missed some practices to be with his uncle in his final days.

"He was the clown of the family," Madriaga said of his uncle.[0x0b]

Teammate Kainoa Raguindin wanted to raise his friend's spirits. He knew of Madriaga's admiration for Akagi, so he thought it would be nice if he would at least set up a phone call. Raguindin e-mailed Leilehua coach Nolan Tokuda to see if a call could be set up.

Tokuda, who has always preached to his players to care for each other, took it to the next level. During the week of the O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red and White championships for which Leilehua (Red) and 'Aiea (White) were preparing, Tokuda brought Akagi to 'Aiea. It was after Leilehua's practice and toward the end of 'Aiea's.

"I was surprised," Madriaga said. "I was excited. As soon as we broke the huddle, I went straight to him.

Mana gave me some words of encouragement."

Akagi knew where Madriaga was coming from. The season before, Akagi said his aunt, Crissa Manoa, passed away.

"I told him I went through the same situation of losing a loved one," Akagi said. "It was hard to concentrate on practice. I told him to stay focused because they're looking down at you, watching over you."

The players, Tokuda and 'Aiea assistant C.J. Tausaga, who works at Leilehua, continued the conversations over dinner.

The players' relationship would continue later in the week.

On game night, Madriaga, Raguindin and several other 'Aiea players, accompanied by Tausaga, returned to Aloha Stadium after their game against Moanalua. They were invited to be on the Leilehua sidelines for the Red championship against Kahuku.

That was the game in which Akagi suffered a concussion going after pass and colliding with Kahuku's Trayson Medeiros. Akagi said he was unconscious for about five or six minutes, but wasn't aware of what happened until he saw the TV replay of the game. He was taken to The Queen's Medical Center by ambulance.

Besides Akagi's family, there at the hospital were Madriaga and some other 'Aiea players. Though Akagi didn't expect it, he said he wasn't surprised his new friend was there for him.

"I appreciate them for taking the time to see me," Akagi said.

Akagi has been cleared by his doctors, so he is expected to play in tonight's state tournament game against Baldwin on Maui.

But the Akagi-Madriaga relationship continued this week.

In an ironic twist, Madriaga sustained a similar injury to Akagi's Monday at practice. (The Advertiser interviewed Madriaga before the practice.) It happened shortly after an ambulance was already there for linebacker Rylen Fonoti, who suffered a neck injury, 'Aiea coach Wendell Say said. Both players were taken to Queen's.

Both players were released, but are not expected to play against Lahainaluna in the Division II state tournament game, Say said.

Tausaga sent a text message to Tokuda, who showed it to Akagi. With no hesitation, Akagi and his parents went to visit Madriaga at Queen's.

"I was shocked," Akagi said when he learned about Madriaga's condition.

On Tuesday, Akagi said he got a text message from Madriaga, telling him he was OK.