WAIMEA — Excitement, energy and enthusiasm were the most obvious components during Tuesday’s afternoon practice in the warm, Westside sun. The Waimea High School football program is trying to create a culture of confidence, building upon the success the junior
WAIMEA — Excitement, energy and enthusiasm were the most obvious components during Tuesday’s afternoon practice in the warm, Westside sun.
The Waimea High School football program is trying to create a culture of confidence, building upon the success the junior varsity squad has provided over the past two seasons and translating that to the varsity level.
Carrying a two-year unbeaten streak in JV, Waimea now looks to also improve its success rate, coming off of a 1-7 varsity season in 2009.
Head coach Keali‘i Aguiar is quick to point out the accomplishments of JV coach Jason Caldeira, whose team came away with a 6-0 mark against KIF competition last season.
Both squads practiced together in the spring, up until the Blue/White Game. The varsity Menehune now face their first test of 2010 with Saturday’s preseason opener against Hawai‘i Prep at Honoka‘a Stadium, while the JV will wait until its KIF season gets underway on Sept. 11.
A number of players who have contributed to the recent success of the JV program will now be looked upon by Aguiar and his staff to bring some of that confidence to varsity.
From what he’s seen coaching them, Caldeira thinks they have the proper characteristics to do just that.
“Hopefully they bring the same chemistry they had last year and the year before,” he said. “These guys, they do everything together. They’re really tight, they keep each other’s grades up. Hopefully they can ride the momentum.”
Aguiar said that he has already sensed a different feel to this season on the Westside.
“There has been a little buzz in the air,” he said.
At practice, Aguiar can be heard from all points of the field, shouting encouragement and interacting with all his players.
“I’m just trying to get these guys hyped,” he said. “We’ve just been working hard all summer long, since back in February.”
He shined plenty of praise upon Caldeira and the rest of the JV coaches and players, saying their success has really carried the program.
It will be necessary for those younger players to step up to the challenge this season, with the recent graduation of all-KIF performer Kaulana Wa‘alani-Arroyo, who recently arrived at the New Mexico Military Institute on a full athletic scholarship. Wa‘alani-Arroyo played a number of positions for last year’s varsity team in all three phases of the game, but Caldeira says the challenge of filling that role is nothing new.
“One guy doesn’t make the team,” he said. “Every year you get used to doing that. Every team has their stud and eventually they’ve got to leave. One more guy always rises up. This year, there’s going to be a new stud. (Varsity) doesn’t know who’s going to be their breakout guy this year, but it could be any of those guys in the circle, right there.”
The JV team has the advantage of more time to prepare for its first game, while the varsity had to move a little bit faster to prepare for the approaching season. These extra few weeks of practice will allow Caldeira to continue to teach at a slightly slower pace, but real competition can also help a coach define exactly what type of team they have.
“You kind of get an idea of what you have (during practice), but after you see them go against someone else or go against real competition, some of the true colors come out,” he said. “It’s hard to go against teammates every single day for almost half a year. It’s a different feeling when you see someone else.
“Sometimes some kids, something wakes up in them,” he said. “Sometimes they blow you away. You think ‘where was that the whole time?’ Of course, it can always go the opposite way, too. ‘What’s this? Where is all that other stuff you were doing?’ It’s like a coin flip, I guess.”
Though junior varsity is used to playing during daylight hours, once Sept. 18 rolls around, they will be kicking off each Saturday at 1 p.m., while varsity will follow at 3:30 p.m. Each program has made some adjustments to prepare for the heat, but Caldeira feels the Waimea boys could have an edge on their competition.
“I like to think we kind of have the advantage practicing on the Westside,” he said. “Pretty much, day games are going to be just like a game at practice. We’re used to the heat, we’ve just got to stay more hydrated during the day.
“I guess the only thing that’s going to be different is maybe the vibe and the buzz, because nothing beats the night time.”
Caldeira noted some of the players who are stepping into leadership roles in this, their senior seasons. One is Jake Corona, who played offensive line and linebacker last season.
“Jake does an excellent job being a captain,” Caldeira said.
Another he mentioned was Tylan Remata, a wide receiver and linebacker who was unable to practice Tuesday after suffering a concussion, but was still in his uniform cheering on his teammates.
“You can see him over there pumping everybody up,” Caldeira said. “That guy doesn’t miss practice.”
Senior Cliffton Callejo, a wide receiver and defensive back, was another player he singled out.
“These guys had a sour taste in their mouth off last year,” he said. “They really want to leave school with a bang, so I know these kids are really motivated to win. They’ve got a strong belief.”
Waimea varsity kicks off at 1 p.m. in Saturday’s matchup with HPA, then takes on Hilo at 7 p.m. on Aug. 21 at Hanapepe Stadium.
JV and varsity then get their KIF seasons underway on Sept. 11 against Kapa‘a at Hanapepe Stadium, in what will be the final evening games of the season. JV will kick off at 5 p.m. with varsity to follow at 7:30 p.m.
The KIF regular season will begin one week earlier, when Kaua‘i and Kapa‘a High Schools face off in the season opener on Sept. 4.
Sept. 18 will feature the first afternoon games, when the Menehune head to Vidinha Stadium to take on the Red Raiders.
