KAPA‘A — What a difference a field goal made on Saturday during the Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation football games contested at the Bryan J. Baptiste Sports Complex stadium.
With Kapa‘a in control on the Waimea 3-yard line and the clock ticking down to the half, the Warriors’ Christopher Rapozo went for a field goal for the 3-0 bulge the Warriors took to the locker room at the break.
That field goal proved to be the difference, as Kapa‘a and Waimea each attempted field goals but came up empty in the game that gave Kapa‘a the KIF football championship with a 3-0 victory before fans that came to celebrate the Kapa‘a seniors in the final KIF regular season play.
Kapa‘a Athletic Director Greg Gonsalves, Principal Tommy John Cox and the school’s Trainers Sam Henriques and Chris Ang unveiled a special No. 50 jersey that was presented to team doctor Dr. Monty Downs, who has been with the Warriors for 50 years before recently retiring from the Wilcox Medical Center. The presentation was done with Dr. Downs’ wife Elaine and grandson Connor Kitamura, and extended to having Downs do the traditional kickoff coin toss using a special commemorative coin from a KIF official.
Rapozo’s field goal loomed large because the special teams kicker was injured on a punt later in the game, leaving Kamalei Gonsalves to attempt a second Warrior field goal in the fourth quarter from the Waimea 11-yard line. That effort went wide with 3:57 showing in the contest.
With sufficient time showing for a Menehune drive, Kapa‘a’s Nash Graham dashed Waimea hopes with a pass interception on the Menehune 27-yard line with 2:53 showing on the game clock. This was the second pass interception for Kapa‘a after Kahnah Hepa plucked a Menehune air ball in the final 37 ticks of the third quarter.
Besides determining the KIF football crown, the defensive slugfest determined bracket play for the First Hawaiian Bank Hawai‘i High School Athletic Association state football championships that start with the semifinals on Nov. 11 and continue through the championship games on Nov. 26.
With the KIF title in hand, Kapa‘a advances to the Division I semifinals as the No. 5 seed to face No. 4 seed Waipahu on Nov. 11 starting at 7 p.m. in Waipahu, O‘ahu.
Waimea draws the No. 3 seed in Division II and will host Kaiser High School in a 1 p.m. matchup Nov. 12 at Hanapepe Stadium.
Tickets for the Hanapepe Stadium contest will go on sale starting Monday at the www.gofan.co/hhsaa website. Fans wishing to take in the game are encouraged to get their tickets early to avoid a spectator limit ceiling.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
Really? And who’s the coach for Kapa’a High School? Is his name Michael Tressler? I heard they won on Oahu last year. 2022. div II. State champions. So Mike, you’re the newest coach on the hill representing KIF? Are they making you Athletic Director? And how much are they paying you? As a head coach and person to represent KIF?
Must be exciting for you stacking up the plaques on the wall? You’re originally from Lihue. I remember you from pop warner. 1975. But I knew coaches from Lihue. You beat out many of those pop warner stars and high school to sports stardom. What’s your secret? Just love sports. Wow Mike. So Mike. Did Kapa’a high school offer you a pay?
Like $26,000 dollars to $30,000 dollars per year income, for putting Kapa’a high school on Hawai’i’s map? Everyone of the pop warner stars of years past since 1977 wants to know. It cost money to come to Oahu every year. Just a fan since 1975, I suppose so.
Well a i knew a person from the 1977 era of Kaua’i High School when i came to Kaua’i to visit back then. I bought a item from her. KHS. They had the old airport then. I knew a lady back then in the 1970s named Mrs. Lauryn Duarte. She used to be a pop warner fan her whole life. That’s how I know the pop warner in Lihue. Small world.
No relations to any candidate. From Santa Monica, California. 1975′ class. I can tell you our graduating class had 60% and above played sports. I played volleyball in 1974. But i’m not that much of a football fan.
I’ll be on Oahu these dates. It’s like they’re the representatives for KIF. IT”s like an honor having this award. Representing the whole island including pop warner. They must have given you some money payment. In California this is a big honor to be Kaua’i’s HHSAA director. It’s a job, You’re the job.
In the 1970s who did you have? HHSAA director. pop warner too. Harold Naumu. wow. Lihue: I don’t know. But I know in the 1970s in Hanapepe there was Eli Pablo. The names you are with is legendary. Think of all the kids you’ll be affecting. You Mike Tressler. It’s like they’ll worship you in the sports world. On Oahu people worship Rich Miano. His name is legendary. Good luck Mike…
Way back in the 1970s, my friends town mate had many names. I don’t know if you know them. Dates back to the 1970s. The dad used to be Kekaka’s own USTA’s tennis director for the elderlies. He was the regional director for Kaua’i tennis league. He died already. But your name will be like him. Stanford Barba. His son was Mr. Football 1977. Small world heh?