LIHU‘E — Not only will they get to be the only Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation team to play two regular season night games, the Kapa‘a Warriors will also host the only Friday night football game on Kaua‘i this year when they
LIHU‘E — Not only will they get to be the only Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation team to play two regular season night games, the Kapa‘a Warriors will also host the only Friday night football game on Kaua‘i this year when they take on Lethbridge Collegiate Institute, tonight at the New Kapa‘a Town Park football field.
The Warriors will be looking to move to 2-0 on the young season when they go head-to-head with the visiting squad that made the long journey from Alberta, Canada.
Last week, Kapa‘a flew to O‘ahu for an afternoon duel with Kalani High School, one which the Warriors dominated for a 54-0 victory. Running back Darren Taylor, coming off a junior season filled with big plays, was back to his old habits in his first game as a senior, finding the end zone twice.
Wide receiver Marshall Adkisson was on the receiving end of a fade pattern from Brentten Rapozo, the big target outleaping a defensive back at the back pylon for the Warriors’ second touchdown of the game and a 17-0 lead at Kaiser Stadium.
The Kapa‘a junior varsity will also be in action for the second time, coming off a win over Kalani that saw the young Warriors put 45 points on the scoreboard. Playing two preseason games should give the JV unit a leg up on the competition once the KIF schedule gets underway, as neither Kaua‘i High School or Waimea High School has any JV games prior to the regular season.
With the entirety of the remaining 2010 football schedule taking place on Saturdays, tonight is the only game adhering to the traditional Friday night schedule. The Warriors will enjoy the novelty of that fact, along with the opportunity to get in two night games once the KIF season begins, as Waimea and Kaua‘i will only play one night game apiece.
The lone Friday night game was scheduled since both Kapa‘a and Waimea will be hosting preseason matchups this weekend. Visiting Lethbridge is a public high school that boasts some professional football alumni, including offensive lineman Jon Gott, who attended Boise State and was taken in the fifth round of the 2008 Canadian Football League draft by the Calgary Stampeders.
Tonight’s JV game is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m., with the varsity set to kick off at 7:30 p.m.
The Menehune will showcase their 2010 talent in Saturday night’s matchup with Hilo, a varsity only game at 7 p.m. at Hanapepe Stadium.
Waimea suffered its first defeat in last week’s preseason opener, a 42-14 loss to Hawai‘i Prep at Honoka‘a Stadium on the Big Island. HPA was a semifinalist in the 2009 HHSAA Div. II championship playoffs and is expected to be a top contender for a trip to Aloha Stadium this season.
The Menehune got a big night from running back Alika Emayo, who carried 27 times for 180 in the ballgame, including an 80-yard touchdown scamper.
Emayo, a junior who had been a top performer for Waimea’s 6-0 JV unit in 2009, also threw for one score, finding Jonathan Tangalin on a halfback option pass for a 47-yard touchdown.
The Red Raiders, coming off a 27-15 victory in Saturday night’s opener against Kamehameha-Big Island, will hit the road for a Saturday night matchup with Honoka‘a on the Big Island. Kaua‘i showcased its new offense with a stellar outing from running back Kele Hanohano, who piled up 228 rush yards and two touchdowns.
The proven ability of Taylor, along with the emergence of both Emayo and Hanohano could be the main storyline of the 2010 KIF season, as all three teams appear to have workhorse running backs, all with home run potential.
Hanohano, new quarterback Shea Shimabukuro and the Raiders will take on Honoka‘a, Saturday at 7 p.m.
