The case certainly could be made that Kaua’i football coach Keli’i Morgado and his players received a bit of good fortune as the only KIF team with a bye last week. The Red Raiders were able to trek to Vidinha
The case certainly could be made that Kaua’i football coach Keli’i Morgado and
his players received a bit of good fortune as the only KIF team with a bye last
week. The Red Raiders were able to trek to Vidinha Stadium in street clothes,
and scout both Waimea, and this week’s opponent, Kapa’a.
Kaua’i faces the
Warriors Friday at 7:35 p.m. at Vidinha Stadium.
To hear Morgado tell it,
however, the time off isn’t all good. Kaua’i has not suited up for competition
since suffering a 54-0 defeat at the hands of California’s Calvary Chapel Aug.
26. Keeping his team focused for the past 20 days, he said, has “been tough” at
times.
“Early this week, we kind of had the mentality of a preseason game,”
Morgado said. “They’re charged up to play now, though.”
Further, though
receiving a sound 37-0 defeat at the hands of Waimea, Kapa’a, at least, has
seen itself in action, and had a week to work out the kinks. The Red Raiders,
in contrast, have been hitting against themselves in practice, and, because of
their lack of depth, have been unable to field an entire defensive unit against
whom to run their offense.
“That’s tough when you run an offense that
reacts to the defense,” Morgado said. “We’ve still got some things to work out,
but we’re as ready as we’re going to get.”
That offense is one likely to
spend a majority of its time going to the air. And directing the charge will be
senior Jeremy Yeats. Despite a tough preseason, the 5-9, 155 pounder “improved
in each game, and has earned the right to be a starter.”
Had Yeats proven
unprepared to go under center Friday night, junior Kamo’i Refamonte would have
taken the snaps. Now, however, Refamonte will be free to play a variety of
other positions, as Morgado had hoped.
As for Kapa’a, the Warriors will
have to do without the services of starting tailback Dahson Gonzales. The
junior was tossed from the Waimea game for throwing a forearm. The questionable
call also rendered him ineligible for this week’s contest.
In his place,
senior-captain Kalani Miyashiro will field a majority of the carries.
The
running back gained a team-high 32 yards against the Menehunes’ unyielding
defense last week.
If the Warriors hope to secure their first points of the
KIF season, they will have to prove more proficient when executing offensively.
Kapa’a fumbled three times last week, though the ball slipped from its
possession more frequently than that.
“I don’t expect that they will
execute like that again,” Morgado said. “What worries me is that the
play-calling was right on.
“I’m worried that our boys think they’re going
to execute like that again. That’s a great team with great coaches.”
