Waimea High School relinquished its grasp of the KIF football title after at least 11 years of possession, and for the first time, Kaua’i (island) had two representatives to the HHSAA (Hawai’i High School Athletic Association) football state championships in
Waimea High School relinquished its grasp of the KIF football title after at least 11 years of possession, and for the first time, Kaua’i (island) had two representatives to the HHSAA (Hawai’i High School Athletic Association) football state championships in 2003.
The Menehune had elected at the start of the season to represent Division II while both Kaua’i and Kapa’a opted to be contenders in Division I.
All three teams vyed to be the KIF champions which was eventually taken by the Kaua’i High School Red Raiders with coach Keli’i Morgado at the helm.
With strong backing from parental supporters and fans, the Red Raiders finished the year as champions in both the Junior Varsity and varsity divisions.
For the Menehune, second place was bittersweet as they battled through internal problems early in the season with key starters dismissed from the team for violating school rules.
Jordon Dizon, who verbally committed to a college career in Colorado, was injured in an early season game pushing the Waimea coaching staff to regroup and reassess their team makeup.
For Morgado, the KIF championship was the payoff of many years of getting the Red Raiders into the right track, QB Kekoa Crowell a product of years of work in both JV and varsity play.
Add to the formula the fact that the Lihu’e Pop Warner Association had a stellar year in 2003, and who can predict what will happen to the face of KIF football.
Stay tuned for the 2004 football season which will start with the preseason games some time in August.
