When Aren Racca leaves for the University of Montana Western, he won’t be homesick for fellow football players. Racca, who signed his Letter of Intent to attend UMW on a partial scholarship, Jan. 31, will join a corps of football
When Aren Racca leaves for the University of Montana Western, he won’t be homesick for fellow football players.
Racca, who signed his Letter of Intent to attend UMW on a partial scholarship, Jan. 31, will join a corps of football players under coach Tommy Lee who have ties to the Garden Island.
Abraham Apilado, a Waimea High School graduate, was a Nissan Hall of Famer as a Menehune football standout, and finished the Bulldog season as an All-Conference Second Team, Offensive Line.
Apilado, whose numbers include being 6’3″, 325 pounds, will be a junior when the 2004 football season opens up.
Enoch McKeague also has ties to Kaua‘i and finished the 2003 Bulldog season as an All-Conference First Team, Defensive Back. McKeage, who will be a senior in the 2004 season is listed at 5’10,” 180 pounds and fills one of the cornerback slots.
McKeage finished the season with 27 tackles, three pass interceptions, and seven pass deflections. He also earned All-Conference honors as a punt returner.
Kawai Curnan, whose brother Ikaika plays for the University of Hawai‘i Warriors, is listed on the Bulldog roster as 6’0,” 215 pounds.
Defensively, UMW was second in total defense in the Frontier Conference, giving up 377.3 yards a game. UMW was second in the league, and 19th in the nation in rushing defense.
Racca, whose Red Raider numbers include 5’11,” 215 pounds, was visited by coach Lee earlier in the year, said he will probably get a position as an outside linebacker.
Following his commitment, Racca said he also got a call from the Linfield College coach, but that call came after he had committed to UMW.
James Kitamura, athletic director for the Waimea Menehune, said that Lanikai Kanahele and Gary Mata have also signed Letters committing to the Bulldog football program, although he wasn’t sure about any other details.
Kanahele, who was listed on the 2003 Menehune roster at 5’7,” 235 pounds played on the offensive and defensive line while Mata, 5’8,” 175 pounds on the Menehune roster, filled in as a runningback and a linebacker.
Racca was one of the first two Kaua‘i athletes named as the King Auto Center Athlete of the Month.
