While the upcoming football game looks like a matchup between neighbor islands, Kaimuki High School football head coach David Tautofi said the two schools are closer than we belive.
“We’re just looking forward to the opportunity. It seems we’re a lot more closer with those guys on Kauai,” Tautofi said. “There’s a lot of family members up there. There’s a lot of Kaimuki grad people that live up there in Kapaa, and their kids go to Kapaa. We’re a lot more related than we probably realize.”
Kaimuki of the Oahu Interscholastic Association will travel to Kauai to face off against No. 2 Kapaa High School in a semifinal game of the 2018 First Hawaiian Bank Football Championships–Division II state tournament.
The game is set for 2 p.m. Saturday at Vidinha Stadium.
Kaimuki (9-3 overall, 8-1 OIA) advanced to the semis after defeating Kamehameha Schools–Hawaii of the Big Island Interscholastic Federation in the quarterfinals last weekend, 28-27.
“It’s definitely special, and it’s a place we haven’t been before,” he said. “There’s a lot of things that are new in this experience, but also a lot of things we were expecting coming into this. We’re also grateful. From our game last week, we did enough to win, but also did more than enough to lose. We had turnovers deep on our territory. To still come out with the victory shows the resilience of the team.”
In that game, Kaimuki rushed for 265 yards and three touchdowns. The Bulldogs were led by junior running back Naomas Asuega-Fualaau, who totaled 158 yards rushing and had one TD.
Tautofi said while his offense aims to be a balanced attack, the rushing game is strong.
“Our strength is in the trenches. Putting our trenches with talented running backs, it definitely comes out with results like that,” Tautofi said. “At the same time, we try to be
balanced. We try to keep teams on their toes. We do also have talent in the other department. It’s just a matter of putting things together and seeing which side comes out.
“There’s been games where we didn’t do much on the ground, but we terrorized it in the air. Just trying to find a balance there helps us. … We try not to be one-dimensional. But definitely, that is our strength — our running backs and our linemen.”
Tautofi added his defense, particularly against the run, has been stout all season.
The Bulldogs defense is led by senior defensive lineman Sama Paama, who has committed to the University of Washington.
“He’s about 6’4, 355 pounds. He’s been the anchor on our defense,” Tautofi said.
With a berth to the Division II championship game on the line, Tautofi said Kapaa has the edge in experience because Warriors were in back-to-back title games in 2015 and 2016.
Regardless, he hopes his team will take advantage of the opportunity at hand.
“They’ve got a well-established program. That’s something they’ve had since (head coach Philip Rapozo) has been there, since I remember when I started three years ago,” Tautofi said. “They’re definitely not the same team they were a few years ago, but they’re just as talented. Some really good athletes. They got size. I know they like to pound the ball as well. I think their leaders, their running back and their quarterback, are definitely seasoned athletes.
“I’m not looking for anything less than their best this weekend. We’re not overlooking these guys. We know what they’re capable of. The other part that goes on their end is they’re familiar with this. Almost every year, they were in the finals or semifinals. They have an edge in experience. With the young kids that experienced that and are now seniors, they know what to expect and how to carry themselves. We’re just looking forward to a battle.”
Information from ScoringLive.
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Nick Celario, sports writer, can be reached at 245-0437 or ncelario@thegardenisland.com.
