Waimea's dominance in KIF will be tested
By Dennis Anderson
Advertiser Staff Writer
For the past 12 years, there has been Waimea High and then there have been the other two football teams in the Kaua'i Interscholastic Federation.
Waimea has won 12 straight championships, nine under coach Jon Kobayashi. Last season, the Menehune outscored their two Kaua'i opponents 202 to 14 in six games, including four shutouts.
But, hope springs eternal.
Kobayashi acknowledges this year's Menehune may not be as mighty as usual and Kaua'i High coach Keli'i Morgado thinks he knows how to dethrone them.
"You must stop their running game," Morgado says. "They are a dominant running team, and use play action passing effectively by situations.
"If we can get on top early and force them into passing, we'll be pretty well off."
Morgado's theory will be tested when Waimea and Kaua'i meet in the opening league game at 7:35 tonight at Hanapepe Ball Park.
Kapa'a was the last team to break Waimea's stranglehold on KIF championships, winning the title in 1987, '88 and '89 under Wayne Watanabe, Gordon Shibao and Glenn Hayashi.
Kobayashi, a Waimea alumnus who played under Hall of Fame coach Ad Rutschman at Linfield College in Oregon, credits tradition and sweat for the Menehune's 51-2-1 KIF record during his nine years as head coach.
"There is a lot of tradition and pride in the athletes at Waimea High," Kobayashi said. "They are willing to work and make sacrifices the whole year round. They know it's not a guarantee, but it gives them a little edge."
This season, Kobayashi said, he has "a young bunch getting their feet wet. Kam was a great experience (Waimea lost at Kamehameha 42-7). Hopefully, we learned something and we'll get better."
Waimea returns six All-KIF players, but lost 10, including spectacular running back Rayson Cacal, who decided to concentrate on baseball.
The KIF has one new coach: Wes Ka'ui at Kapa'a, who played at Kamehameha in the 1970s and helped coach the Hawaiian Cowboys semipro team.
Because there are only three teams on the island, Kaua'i plays a triple round robin for a total of six league games.
KAPA'A WARRIORS
2001 record: 2-4 in KIF, second place.
Preseason: 2-1, defeated King Kekaulike (Maui) 26-14 and Honoka'a (Big Island) 42-14, lost at Kamehameha 40-6.
Coach: Wes Kau'i, 1st year, 2-1
Players to watch: QB/FS Dustin Mundon (5-10, 175, Sr.); C/LB Andrew Baltazar (5-10, 220, Sr.); WR Jonny Ho'oikaika (5-6, 145, Sr.); WR Brian Merkel (5-9, 160, Sr.); NG Chris Baltazar (5-9, 220, Soph.).
KAUA'I RED RAIDERS
2001 record: 1-5 KIF.
Preseason: 0-1, lost to Maui 14-7.
Coach: Keli'i Morgado, 4th year, 5-19-1.
Players to watch: RB/DE Rejis Canales (5-8,170, Sr.); DT/C Jerrick Amaki (5-7, 205, Sr.) All-KIF; FS Levi Fajardo (5-10, 160, Sr.); CB/SB Justin Arakaki (5-6, 145, Jr.); OLB/WR Raym Jerves (5-10, 160, Sr.)
WAIMEA MENEHUNE
2001 record: 7-2, KIF champion (6-0), lost to Kahuku 21-7 in semifinals of state tournament.
Preseason: 1-1, defeated Hilo 25-0, lost to Kamehameha 42-7.
Coach: Jon Kobayashi, 10th year, 51-2-1 in KIF.
Players to watch: LB Gary Mata (5-9, 190, Jr.) 2001 All-KIF; FS/WR Dane Koga (5-4, 140, Sr.) All-KIF; RB Jordan Dizon (6-1, 220, Jr.) All-KIF; C Jesse Cabatan (5-7, 180, Sr.) All-KIF; OG Kalae Durant (5-10, 220, Jr.); All-KIF; OT Lanikai Kanahele (6-2, 290, Jr.) All-KIF; QB Jon Palacio (5-9, 170, Jr.); WR/SS Tyson Fernandez (5-9, 160, Sr.)
