The Lihu’e Patriots midget division champions extended their winning ways by defeating the South Coastal Tritons of California, a team from Orange Empire Conference out of Anaheim, Calif. The teams met in the Las Vegas Silver Bowl, which was held at Dessert Pines High School in Las Vegas, Nev.
The Patriots opened the scoring in the first quarter with a two-yard plunge by quarterback Andrew Renuad on a sneak over the center. The point after was kicked by Andrew Renuad which made the score Lihue Patriots 8 and the Tritons no score. The Tritons answered on a pass play in the first quarter the extra point kick was good making the score a tie game, Lihu’e Patriots 8, South Coastal Tritons 8.
On a goal line stand, the Patriots held the Tritons on the two-yard line refusing to yield to the big back from the Tritons. On fourth down the Patriot defense held the Tritons from getting in to the end zone and the Patriots took over on the two yard line and on the first play from scrimmage, Brendan Young of the Patriots broke out of the backfield and raced 99 yards for a touchdown untouchable and “uncatchable”. The extra point kick was good by Andrew Renuad; making the score Patriots 16, South Coastal Tritons 8.
After getting the ball back the South Coastal Tritons were able to move the ball but was unable to get into the end zone.
In the second quarter, the Tritons were able to get into the end zone on a pass play which was good for 68 yards and the score. The extra point try failed and the score remained Patriots 16, Tritons 14.
The score at the half remained Patriots 16, Tritons 14. In the third quarter, Brendan Young intercepted a pass from the Tritons and took the ball into the end zone for a score. The extra point attempt failed, making the score at the end of the third quarter Patriots 22, Tritons 14.
In the fourth quarter, Brendan Young took off on a fifteen yard run into the end zone for a touchdown and the point after by Andrew Renuad was good making the score, Patriots 30, Tritons 14. The Tritons moved the ball and on a pass play to No. 43 was able to score on a 25-yard pass, the extra point failed leaving the score, Patriots 30, Tritons 20. In the closing minutes of the fourth quarter, Brendan Young scored for the Patriots, this time on a 20-yard touchdown play. The extra point by Andrew Renuad was good and the score stood at Patriots 38, Tritons 20.
The undefeated Patriots won nine games this season.
The game was a good defensive game for the Patriots, keeping the bigger South Coastal Tritons to just twenty points. Rumor had it that this Triton team was also undefeated in their conference.
Hard running by Lucky Andres, Travis Nakamura, Aaron Adachi also helped to move the ball along. Pono Matthews played outstanding defense along with Lance Delos Reyes, Telia Huni, Trevis Simola, Kalei Ka’auwai, Donovan Refamonte, Dustin Kubo and the rest of the Patriots team.
This team had a dream to finish with a perfect record — and that was accomplished with this final game. Congratulations go out to the Coaching staff headed by Coach Jon Takamura, assistant coaches Dean Pigao, Todd Tanaka and Rick Renaud; coach Andy Pungan. Also a part of this team is “Uncle Johnny” Pongasi, team mom Kaydee Huni and the team’s business manager, Gracie Grace Delos Reyes, who handled the trip reservations with help from team mom Kaydee Huni.
Congratulations also go out to the Lihu’e Pop Warner’s executive board and president Todd Young for a great program and season.
Aloha and Mele Kalikimaka and Hao’uli Makahiki Hou from the 2003 Patriot Midget and Pee Wee Division II Champions.
Leon Gonsalves, Sr. is the Kaua’i Pop Warner Assocation’s League Commissioner.
