All 3 teams should contend in KIF

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

This much is certain about the Kaua'i Interscholastic Federation football season: Kapa'a or Kaua'i will make its state tournament debut.

With 11-time defending KIF champion Waimea as the sole Division II team on the Garden Island, that leaves the Warriors and Red Raiders battling for the league's Division I berth. Even if the Menehunes, who have been to all four state tournaments, repeat as KIF champions, the team with the next-best record will go to the Division I tournament. Likewise, if Waimea finishes third, it is still guaranteed a spot in the Division II tournament.

But classification or not, Kapa'a or Kaua'i could end up dethroning the powerhouse Menehunes anyway.

"We have a lot of work ahead of us," first-year Waimea coach Liko Pereira said. "We look at the other two schools and they have pretty good teams. We have our work cut out for us. It's anybody's ball game."

Said Kaua'i coach Kelii Morgado: "Overall, it's pretty open. It should be an exciting year."

Kapa'a, winless in the KIF last season, is not expecting to be pushed around again.

"I'm not going to predict anything, but we'll do well," second-year coach Wes Kaui said.

The Warriors dedicated themselves to football in February, hitting the weight room religiously, Kaui said.

"There was a lot of effort, a lot of sacrifice over the summer," Kaui said. "Five days of pumping iron. All credit goes to the coaching staff."

"(Kapa'a) held Kamehameha, the No. 1 team in the state, to 28 points," Pereira said. "Their defense is pretty solid."

Kapa'a strengthened its defense with the addition of linebacker Jason Aumua, a transfer from Kahuku, Kaui said.

Morgado's Red Raiders will use the run-and-shoot behind junior quarterback Kekoa Crowell. Several coaches said the 6-foot-2, 170-pounder will be a Division I prospect next season.

"He's got the size and knowledge," Morgado said. "He's a thinker."

Still, the Menehunes are expected to play like a Division I squad. They return the 2002 KIF Offensive Player of the Year in Jordon Dizon, a running back, linebacker, strong safety and punter. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound senior has already accepted a scholarship offer from the University of Colorado.

"He's a big plus for us, he's our leader," Pereira said. "I can't say enough about him."

Dizon rushed for 1,246 yards and 17 touchdowns last year. In a game against Kapa'a, he rushed for 370 yards and five touchdowns.

Also back for Waimea is KIF Defensive Player of the Year, linebacker Gary Mata.

The Menehunes draw the league's bye, but will have a tune-up with Woodbridge, of Irvine, Calif., at 7:35 p.m. Saturday at Hanapepe Ball Park.

"We're not even looking at the playoffs yet," Pereira said. "It's a day-by-day thing. We still have a test with Woodbridge this weekend."

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8042