For Kaua‘i High School boys soccer head coach Mark Brandeburg, it seems like about anything and everything that could happen in the KIF soccer season, did!
The Red Raider men got the KIF championship after downing Waimea in the final game of the season, but it was Kapa‘a High School that clinched the title for Kaua‘i by edging out the Menehune in a game that was called earlier in the season due to lightning.
Waimea needed to win that called game to force a playoff against Kaua‘i.
Kaua‘i spent part of the season healing after sustaining injuries in their pre-season, but the return of Justin Toulon from a broken leg bone, and Ross Brandeburg from a broken collar bone beefs up an already tough attack force headed by Justin Kashiwabara who ended the season as one of the league’s leading scorers.
“The boys are very much looking forward to the state tournament,” said coach Brandeburg. “After participating in last year’s HHSAA, and this year’s pre-season schedule of tough O‘ahu teams, they are aware of what is ahead of them.”
Adding to the strength in front is the defensive forces led by Todd Yamamoto, Kaleo Baxter, Michael Hirahara, and Ryan Shimanuki.
Senior goalie Ronald Hosaka anchors the squad, coach Brandeburg noting “Ronald has come through when we needed him the most, and has solidified our team.”
“What I truly like about the Kaua‘i team is that every single player on our team has contributed a lot to our success,” Brandeburg said. “Another reason for the team’s success has been the major support from the parents, and from Kaua‘i High School.”
Brandeburg knows that any of the top 12 teams that meet at the HHSAA tournament is tough and has the ability to win.
Three-time state champion Mililani again gets the top seed in the tournament that starts Wednesday, Feb. 18 when the unseeded Kaua‘i team goes up against Pearl City at 5 p.m. A win in this game pits Kaua‘i against Mililani on Thursday night starting at 7 p.m. at Aloha Stadium.
Second seed in the state tournament is the Iolani Red Raiders followed by Baldwin of the MIL getting the third seed. Kealakehe of the BIIF gets the fourth seed.
Other teams in the state tournament include Kamehameha, Castle, Waiakea, Kaiser, Kalaheo, and Hilo.
