Waimea's stunning win was a sight to behold

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

Some of the key contributors to Waimea's 24-21 state quarterfinal victory over Kailua were, from left, defensive back Tyson Fernandez, fullback Jordon Dizon, quarterback John Palacio and defensive back Dane Koga. Wes Nakama • The Honolulu Advertiser

The breathtaking vista from Kalalau Lookout.

Mountainous waves crashing slow-motion off the endless stretch of beach at Barking Sands.

For Waimea High School football fans, none of these spectacular Garden Island attractions could compare to the sight of defensive back Tyson Fernandez making an interception in Kailua's end zone with 32 seconds remaining last Friday at Vidinha Stadium in Lihu'e.

For them, this truly was Kaua'i Beauty.

Fernandez's interception, his second of the game, sealed a 24-21 victory in the state quarterfinals and vaulted the Menehune into Friday's semifinal against St. Louis at Aloha Stadium.

It was the third time in four seasons that Waimea (8-1) knocked an O'ahu Interscholastic Association runner-up out of tournament action at Vidinha. The undersized and undermanned Menehune upset Kailua, 20-18, in 1999 and eliminated Castle, 41-20, last year.

But for the Waimea players, the beauty of these performances comes with a steep price paid in pounds of sweat.

Barely 12 hours after stunning Kailua (9-3) last weekend, the Menehune were pumping iron at the Richard Doi Athletic-Physical Education Complex on campus. Then they sat in a nearby classroom and dissected a videotape of St. Louis playing De La Salle (Concord, Calif.).

"We've been lifting, working out since January," said junior fullback/linebacker Jordon Dizon. "(Strength coach Mason) Moriguchi works with us every day, making us stronger. It all adds up in the end."

The Menehune's storied success, in last Friday's game and over the past 11 straight Kaua'i Interscholastic Federation championship seasons, was built stone upon tiny stone.

Yes, Kailua helped by throwing six interceptions, but it's no accident that Waimea had defenders in the area of the errant passes.

"The coaches scouted them and did a great job preparing us," said senior defensive back Dane Koga, who made two interceptions, returning one 25 yards for a touchdown. "We practiced for their passing offense, and we were assigned to be in the right place. When we were in a three-deep zone, we would watch out for screens and dumps. When we were back deep, we noticed they ran plenty (of) outs."

The Menehune were out-gained 284 yards to 183, but they made the most out of their yardage. Fernandez, one of several starters who play offense and defense, made catches of 54 and 23 yards to set up touchdowns.

Although Dizon was held to 59 yards on 23 carries, he contributed by opening the passing lanes for quarterback John Palacio (5-of-11 for 117 yards, no interceptions) and landed one punt on the Kailua 4-yard line, another on the Surfriders' 7.

And when faced with a third-and-20 on the Kailua 40 late in the first quarter, Palacio found tight end Austin Alquiza down the middle, and Alquiza fought for extra yardage to barely make the first down.

That set up Cory Rita's 37-yard field goal, which cut Kailua's lead to 7-3 and points-wise proved to be the winning margin in the end.

"The coaches get on us all the time about the little stuff, they say that can make the difference," Dizon said. "Just like on that play, Austin got us the extra inches to get the first down."

The "little things" extend beyond the sidelines. On Waimea's third series, Dizon fumbled and Kailua recovered.

"I had to pick myself back up, and the offensive line didn't get on me," Dizon said. "They made me feel better about myself."

Dizon rushed for 1,157 yards in five regular-season games, but was stuffed at the line on most of his carries against Kailua. However, he scored on two 1-yard runs to help the Menehune take a 24-7 lead into halftime, and his mere presence helped Palacio and the passing game.

"They were looking for (Dizon), expecting him to get the ball," Palacio said. "So we tried to mix it up by going to the air. We worked on it all week. Even after practice, we'd stay and run routes."

Kailua, with a size advantage of more than 100 pounds per man in some cases, appeared to finally wear down the Menehune in the fourth quarter. The Surfriders marched 79 yards in 10 plays and scored on Ranson Kepa's 10-yard pass to Dylan Linkner with 8:06 left to help cut Waimea's lead to 24-14.

After the Menehune went three-and-out on the ensuing possession, Kailua went 71 yards in six plays and closed to 24-21 after Kepa's 14-yard touchdown pass to Keali'i Kalahiki with 5:04 remaining.

Waimea again went three-and-out, and the Surfriders again marched down the field, getting to the Menehune 9. But with the clock ticking down, Kepa rolled to his right and Fernandez stepped in front of his intended target to preserve the victory.

The next morning, drivers in West Kaua'i were greeted by big celebration signs draped over catwalks in 'Ele'ele and Hanapepe.

"We have great community support," Dizon said.

St. Louis presents another huge challenge this week, but Waimea will approach it the same way.

"I think it'll be a great game," Dizon said. "We just have to play hard, play like Menehunes."