Kaua’i boys face elimination in game vs. Waimea Either Kapa’a or Kaua’i will represent the Kaua’i Interscholastic Federation at the boys’ state soccer tournament beginning February 14 on Oahu. Regardless of which team finds fortune, Waimea will have played a
Kaua’i boys face elimination in game vs. Waimea
Either Kapa’a or Kaua’i will represent the Kaua’i Interscholastic Federation at the boys’ state soccer tournament beginning February 14 on Oahu.
Regardless of which team finds fortune, Waimea will have played a major role.
The Menehunes host the Kaua’i Red Raiders at noon Saturday in the season’s final regular-season game. The KIF championship still hangs in the balance.
If Waimea wins or manages to tie the Red Raiders, Kapa’a can head down to the travel agency. Should Kaua’i pull the victory, a February 3 playoff will be played between it and Kapa’a at Vidinha Stadium.
“We know there’s plenty on the line,” Waimea coach Dan Agan said. “I told the boys Monday that regardless of who goes to the state tournament, it’s going to come through Waimea.”
Agan said his boys are relishing their collective role as possible spoilers to Kaua’i’s chance at a state berth.
But the coach also noted that the role is not necessarily the most important reason for bringing an ‘A’ game this weekend.
“We want to go out of this season on a high note,” Agan said. “We’ve been so close to beating Kaua’i two other times this season.
“The boys say ‘We should have won, we should have won.’ Now we have to go out and do it.”
Indeed, though the Menehunes have just two wins this season — both over Island School — they are within a handful of goals of being a third wheel on the vehicle to the state tourney.
“Waimea is a very good team,” Kaua’i coach Mark Brandeburg said. “We know we’re going to get a heck of a battle from them.”
Waimea and Kaua’i have played twice before this season. The Red Raiders won the first 1-0 and the second 2-1. In fact, no KIF contest — other than those involving Island School — has been decided by more than a single goal. Waimea and Kapa’a have endured two ties.
“There have been no blowouts, that’s for sure,” Brandeburg said.
And because of the point system employed by the KIF, the race has for the title has been tight throughout.
Whereas most of the high school athletic leagues across the state award three points for a win and one for a tie, the KIF gives two and one, respectively.
“I think it works just fine to have the point system the way it is,” Brandeburg said. “It keeps things close to the end.”
But it might also be that system that costs Kaua’i a trip to the state tournament.
With its 6-2 record, a three-point system would leave the Red Raiders with 18 points right now.
Kapa’a, with a 5-1-2 record would be owners of 17 points. Thus, Saturday’s game would be rendered moot. Kaua’i already would be on to the state playoffs.
But with the two-point system in place, both Kaua’i and Kapa’a each have 12 points. The Warriors almost certainly will defeat Island School to end the season with 14 points. Now, a Red Raiders’ tie or loss sends them home.
“They’re definitely going to want to beat us,” Brandeburg said of the Menehunes. “It’s high school, they want to win because they love to win.”
The Skinny
Who: Kaua’i boys at Waimea
When: Saturday at noon at Hanapepe Stadium
Scenario: Kaua’i win forces playoff with Kapa’a; loss or tie gives KIF title to Warriors
