LIHU’E — This is the moment of truth for the Waimea Menehunes. On the one hand, there’s eight years of packed championship energy waiting to unload. On the other hand, there’s a team about ready to tread on uncharted waters.
LIHU’E — This is the moment of truth for the Waimea Menehunes.
On the one hand, there’s eight years of packed championship energy waiting to unload.
On the other hand, there’s a team about ready to tread on uncharted waters.
The Menehunes (7-0-1), winners of eight straight KIF football championships, have played in Neighbor Islands championship games before, but they’ve never played in a state playoff before.
They get their chance on Friday night in the Chevron State Football Championship quarterfinals.
The fans, coaches, scouts, cheerleaders, trainers, doctors, parents, school administration, and student body — along with the rest of the island — will finally get a chance to see how the Waimea program stacks up on a statewide championship level.
The Kailua Surfriders (9-3) are coming to town to play the Menehunes in a quarterfinal game.
The Menehunes have had plenty of time to rest since playing their last regular season game three weekends ago and are close to full strength.
Kailua has had to battle each of those last three weekends to get to this point.
Throughout the year, Waimea has blended a powerful running game with an accurate passing game to frustrate opponents.
Waimea has also relied on an attacking defense which has contributed its share of points this season.
Among the key Menehune players are running backs Jessie Sablan and Chesley Barba, quarterback Rocky Aviguetero, all-purpose players Donovan Agan and Colby Octavio, receivers William Parubrub and Gilroy Castro, linebackers Brandon Perreira and Isaiah Ulanday, defensive back Zaldy Lahip, defensive linemen David Hanashiro and Archie Achuara, and offensive linemen Kalani Yaris and Benson Broyles.
Among Kailua’s key players are running backs Rocky Alo and Keoni Brown, receiver John Kepa, tight end Ammon Kaleo, quarterback Taleki Mailau, linebacker Roger Majit-Gorion, and defensive back Braddah Choy Foo.
Mailau, a sophomore, has had his ups and downs, but has shown smoothness in leading the Surfriders offense to their nine victories.
The gates at Vidinha Stadium open at 6:30 p.m. on Friday night and the kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
The game will be broadcast live on KUAI-AM 720.
