With the 2004 college football season on the horizon, Kaua‘i has a few reasons to tune in and follow our local products, especially at the University of Hawai‘i, the University of Montana-Western, and at Colorado University.
Montana-Western (NAIA)
Enoch McKeague of Kapa‘a finished the 2003 Bulldog season as an All-Conference First Team, Defensive Back and picked up conference honors as a punt returner. McKeague, the 2003 team captian, will be a senior this season and is listed at 5’10,” 180 pounds and will fill one of the cornerback slots. McKeague garnered 27 tackles, three pass interceptions, and seven pass deflections.
In 2002, McKeague made First team All-Conference as a defensive back and a punt returner. He had 12 punt returns for a total of 83 yards. 3 interceptions with an average of 5.3 yards. Played in 11 games, 13 unassisted tackles, 14 assisted. 2001: 13 unassisted tackles, 12 assisted tackles for the Bulldogs. He averaged 17.8 yards for kick off returns and 8 yards for interception returns.
As a prepster, he attended St. Louis School and Kapa‘a High School and graduated in 2001. He participated in football and basketball and earned All-Conference and All-State honors. He holds a state record for 22 career interceptions.
Enoch is the son of Valerie Medina and Sam McKeague and is a Business major.
Kawai Curnan of Kealia is a 2002 graduate of St. Louis High School where he earned All-Conference and All-Star honors in football. Kawai enjoys the beach and is a Business major. He is the son of Marty and Corinae Curnan. 2002: played in 8 games, 8 unassisted tackles, 16 assisted tackles. Kawai Curnan, the brother of Ikaika, a junior starting linebacker for the University of Hawai‘i, is listed on the Bulldog roster as 6’0″ 215 pounds.
Abraham Apilado Jr. (6’3″ 325) of Kekaha is a 2002 graduate of Waimea High School where he earned All-State honors and was a Nissan Hall of Honor member. He also participated in track. Abraham enjoys fishing and hunting and is the son of Toni Rodriquez. He is a Forestry major. Enters the 2004 season as a junior and was an all-conference second teamer at the offensive line position in 2003. Freshman, Aren Racca, a Kaua‘i High School graduate is listed at 5’11,” 215 pounds and will probably get a position as an outside linebacker.
Another freshman, Lanikai Kanahele, a Menehune alum is also expected to see some action for the Bulldogs.
Kanahele was listed on the 2003 Menehune roster at 5’7,” 235 pounds and played on the offensive and defensive line.
Freshman, Gary Mata, a Waimea High School grad, should also get some time for Montana-Western.
Mata is listed at 5’8,” 175 pounds and filled in as a running back and a linebacker for the Menehune.
On the defensive side, Montana-Western, an NAIA school, 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.
University of Hawai‘i
Ikaika Curnan (5’10” 221 pounds) of Kealia is an honorable mention all-WAC linebacker.
He will be making his debut as starting middle linebacker for the Warriors in 2004, after leading the team with 121 tackles a year ago.
The only returning starter of a trio that finished in the top four on the team and combined for 287 tackles in 2003, made the move to anchor a young group of linebackers in 2004. Curnan played high school football for St. Louis School.
Colorado University
Jordon Dizon, a Waimea High School graduate will make history in Boulder by being the first-ever true freshman to start at the inside linebacker position for Colorado. Dizon, a Nissan Hall of Honor inductee is listed at 6’1″ 210.
The Menehune alum, is according to Colorado coach Brian Cabral, the most impressive true freshman he has seen in his 16 years at the school.
Duane Shimogawa, Sports Editor can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 257) and kauaisports@pulitzer.net
