It'll be David vs. Goliath when Waimea faces Kahuku
By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
The under-manned and under-sized Waimea Menehune football team realizes that no game plan will stop the defending state champion Kahuku Red Raiders.
"Football is blocking and tackling, making the basic plays and playing error-free," Waimea coach Jon Kobayashi said.
The top-ranked Red Raiders (12-0) will play the fourth-ranked Menehune (8-1) in a 5 p.m. semifinal of the Chevron State Football Championships tomorrow at Aloha Stadium.
Waimea eliminated Castle, 41-20, in last week's quarterfinal on Kaua'i with 26 available players. They might have 27 this week, Kobayashi said. Most play two-ways, as well as on special teams.
Kahuku lists 91 on this week's roster. A few play two-ways in certain situations, like short-yardage offense, and on special teams.
But numbers and size aren't what make the Red Raiders successful. They are balanced offensively, quick defensively.
Against Lahainaluna, Kahuku quarterback Inoke Funaki passed for 307 yards and four touchdowns, while the Lunas flooded the line of scrimmage to stop the run.
"In the olden days, they put eight, nine guys in the box, we still came at you (with the run)," Kahuku coach Siuaki Livai said. "Now, if you stack the box, we pass. If you drop back, we run. It's not about who can run against who. It's about putting up the points."
A point well-taken.
No. 4 Waimea vs. No. 1 Kahuku
• When: 5 p.m. Friday
• Where: Aloha Stadium
• Records: Waimea 8-1 overall, Kaua'i Interscholastic Federation champion. Kahuku 12-0 overall, O'ahu Interscholastic Association co-champion.
• Advertiser ranking: Kahuku is No. 1 and Waimea is No. 4
• Last week: Kahuku defeated Lahainaluna, 57-14, and Waimea defeated Castle, 41-20, in quarterfinal games.
• Series record: Kahuku leads series 1-0.
• Last meeting: Kahuku defeated Waimea, 43-17, in the 2000 quarterfinals.
• Key factors: Against a team of similar physical stature, Waimea had a game plan to neutral Castle quarterback Joel Botelho, the Knights passing and rushing threat. The Menehune took away the Knights' short-passing game and boxed Botelho in the pocket to deny him from making any crucial runs. But against Kahuku's balanced attack, they must disguise their intentions. Defensive lineman Mark Ruiz (5-10, 200) showed mobility of a linebacker, working sideline-to-sideline against the Knights. He made numerous tackles and had two fumble recoveries. Linebacker Chris Soto (5-6, 160), who had a sack and a tackle for negative yards, also is quick. Safety Timmy Chang-Wo (5-8, 165) is a good open-field tackler and pass defender. There is nothing for the Menehune to gauge themselves against Kahuku's multiple-threat offense because it has yet to be stopped. The Menehune do what any good team does defensively: swarm the ball carrier ... Kahuku's multi-faceted offense has a variety of runners: speedy tailback Mulivai Pula (5-11, 215), power fullback Earvin Atuaia (5-11, 250) and finesse quarterback Inoke Funaki (6-0, 180). Then there is more speed from slotback Ferron Fonoimoana (5-8, 165). That's what makes Kahuku's offense dangerous. They can dive and trap inside, pitch and toss outside, and counter from the opposite side. The Red Raiders also pass efficiently behind Funaki. Double-cover Fonoimoana and wideout James Kammerer (6-3, 184) comes up big, as he did with three TD catches against the Lunas ... Waimea uses good blocking techniques to open holes just long enough for its quick-accelerating running backs, who range from Chesley Barba (5-3, 135), Chang-Wo, Jordon Dizon (6-1, 210) and Brandon Malama (5-5, 150), to get through on dives and traps. All continuously keep their legs pumping when they have the ball. But after hitting opponents with run after run, Waimea will surprise the defense with a play-action pass ... Kahuku safety Viliami Nauahi (6-2, 195) is as tall as Waimea's two tallest players, lineman Abraham Apilado (300) and receiver Leonard Zalapany (180). That says enough about Kahuku's size advantage on defense, led by all-state lineman Jonathan Mapu (6-3, 250) ... Kobayashi said one of Waimea's keys is to stay away from mistakes. Last week, the Menehune was penalized 10 times for 79 yards. Five were for false starts ... The Menehune also must stay healthy. Among their two-way players are quarterback/defensive back/kicker Adrian Agan (5-9, 160), running back/linebacker Dizon, running back/defensive back/return specialist Rayson Cacal (5-10, 160) and defensive back/running back Chang-Wo ... Among the few two-way players for Kahuku is Mapu, who will play tight end when the Red Raiders reinforce their line with extra blockers.
