It’s been somewhat of a stagnate season offensively for Kapa’a and Kaua’i. The Red Raiders, especially, have experienced few successes when in possession of the ball. Just one, in fact. But while Kaua’i has been shut out in three of
It’s been somewhat of a stagnate season offensively for Kapa’a and
Kaua’i.
The Red Raiders, especially, have experienced few successes when in
possession of the ball. Just one, in fact. But while Kaua’i has been shut out
in three of its four games this season, that single touchdown came against
tonight’s opponent, Kapa’a, in the teams’ September 15 matchup.
The
Warriors (2-3, 1-2 KIF) have only been shut out twice, both times by Waimea,
but have scored just 53 points in their five games. Kapa’a did hang 20 points
on Kaua’i in the schools’ first meeting. The Warriors, however, are coming off
an admirable performance last Friday at Waimea, where they proved they could
move the ball against the Menehunes’ tough defensive unit.
That fact could
spell trouble for Kaua’i (0-4, 0-2 KIF) when the schools tangle at Vidinha
Stadium at 7:35 p.m. Kapa’a may be primed for an offensive explosion.
On
the other hand, Kaua’i, after playing solid ball in a September 22, 29-0 loss
at Waimea, has had two weeks to prepare for the Warriors. Despite gaining just
88 total yards in that loss to the Menehunes, the Red Raiders showed promise
with junior Kamo’i Refamonte at quarterback. Senior Jeremy Yeats was under
center for Kaua’i’s first matchup, a 20-6 loss, with Kapa’a. The Warriors held
the Raiders to 133 yards total in that contest.
Busting ahead for the
Warriors last week in Hanapape was junior tailback Dahson Gonzales. Suspension
kept Gonzales out of the Warriors’ first game against Kaua’i. In his place,
senior captain Kalani Miyashiro, the island’s leading rusher, picked up the
slack.
Miyashiro gained 105 yards on 16 carries that night.
To put up a
host of points, Kapa’a will need the same kind of effort from its offensive
line that it got last week.
To prevent a scoring onslaught, Kaua’i will
need another stellar effort from its defensive line. The Raiders cornerbacks
were forced to make too many tackles in their first game against
Kapa’a.
For Kaua’i to score, running back Jameson Smith will need his
offensive line to open holes in the Warriors’ defense. Refamonte also will need
help from the O-line.
Kapa’a was able to rattle Yeats in the teams’ first
meeting by sending its defensive ends at a furious pace.
Waimea also was
able to exploit the Raiders’ offensive ends, though Refamonte often scrambled
away from harm.
