It’s causing Kaua’i head coach Keli’i Morgado unwanted headaches and stress, but at least it’s a situation that could turn out to be a good omen for the Red Raider football squad.
“I have two good quarterbacks and they each give us different advantages,” Morgado said.
Both Kainoa Lemke (5’10” 130 lbs.) and Andrew Renaud (5’8″ 160 lbs.) are still vying for the starting quarterback spot, which is the main component for the Red Raider offensive scheme.
“I still don’t have a starter just yet and it might come down to just alternating both,” Morgado said.
That dilemma wasn’t something the former Punahou graduate had to deal with for the past two seasons, thanks to the sharp services of two-time KIF champion Kekoa Crowell.
Both Renaud and Lemke are in their first full year of varsity play and according to Morgado, they both need more game time experience.
“They’re both physically gifted and accurate, but they both lack decision-making and essential quarterbacking skills,” Morgado said.
Morgado also contends that his quarterback situation mirrors that of the University of Hawai’i, which seems to have a two-headed monster at the QB position, after Timmy Chang graduated.
“This year is different for us. We don’t have any stars; just lots of kids willing to work together,” Morgado said.
He also mentioned that this year will have to be the year where Kaua’i’s defense has to lead the way.
“We have a really good defensive unit this year and I actually thought that we’ve had the best defensive group in the KIF for the past four years,” Morgado said.
Meanwhile, Kapa’a, fresh off of a heartbreaking 3-0 opening game loss to the Menehune, are as hungry as ever for its first win of the season.
The Warriors shot themselves in the foot throughout the contest, with fumbles and penalties at crucial points of the game.
And Morgado agreed. “The game could’ve gone either way and we have to come out of Friday and leave our best performance on the field. There are no gimmes in this league,” Morgado noted.
The KIF’s second gridiron contest kicks off at 5 p.m. at Vidinha Stadium, with the defending champion Kaua’i JV battling Kapa’a. Then the varsity action begins at 7:30 p.m.
