KIF Football returns to Hanapepe Stadium Friday at 7 p.m. Even for the football factory that is Waimea High School, there’s no foolproof way to replace over half a roster. But that’s just what the Menehunes and head coach Jon
KIF Football returns to Hanapepe Stadium Friday at 7 p.m.
Even for the football factory that is Waimea High School, there’s no foolproof way to replace over half a roster.
But that’s just what the Menehunes and head coach Jon Kobayashi will be looking to do when the season gets underway in August. In a couple of weeks, 18 mainstays of the Waimea program will graduate from a roster of 34, dotting the potential starting line-up with numerous holes.
“We’re looking very green over here at this point,” Kobayashi said.
Which heightens the importance of the Menehunes’ annual Blue and White intra-squad scrimmage Friday at 7 p.m. at Hanapepe Stadium. Then, returnees and fresh faces alike will take to the well-manicured grass in full gear looking to prove themselves to their coaches and their community.
“We’ve been doing this game for about five or six years,” said Kobayashi, who is now in his 10th year at the Menehunes’ helm. “It’s an important fund-raiser for us, and allows us to get a look at what we have for the coming year.
“But it also gives the people of the west side a chance to see what’s coming up, too.”
The game is just another indication of the commitment Waimea makes annually to putting the best possible product on the field. The Menehunes have won the last nine KIF titles in a row.
“We don’t really put the game on as a showcase,” Kobayashi explained. “It’s more to see what holes we might need to work on and what the players we have can do at various positions.”
The coach said the game will not operate as a “controlled scrimmage.” Rather, action will move at full speed. Players will don full pads, referees will be used and 10-minute quarters will be contested.
“Kicking, punt returns, you name it, it’s going to happen,” Kobayashi said.
Tickets for the game are $7 and include a stew dinner. Kobayashi said the money generated from the Blue and White game is vital to the Menehunes’ success. It pays for Waimea’s summer camp, defers equipment cost and helps the team with travel expenses. The coach said 1,000 tickets have been pre-sold.
As for what spectators will see from the reigning KIF champs, Kobayashi sounded confident, if wary. Understandable considering the loss of so many starters. Included in the departing bunch: starting quarterback Nikko Naumu, powerhouse tailback Jesse Sablan, KIF defensive-player-of-the-year Brandon Perreira and a host of linemen who will be difficult to replace.
“We’re excited, but we’ve got spots all over the place to fill,” Kobayashi said. “We’re going to need a lot of work to get to where we want to be.
“But high school goes in cycles like that. Some years you have a veteran team. Other years you have less experience.”
The offensive backfield is Waimea’s position of least concern. Ikaika Cabral, who Kobayashi called “perhaps my most valuable offensive player” last year, will return, along with freshman Jordan Dizon. Chesley Barba will be back, and up from the junior varsity will come sophomore Rayson Cacal.
“We’ve got some decent runners back there,” Kobayashi said.
Five are battling for the quarterback slot, the coach said. Though he didn’t say, one might give the early nod to Timmy Chang-Wo, Naumu’s back-up last year.
As for how teams are split for the game, Kobayashi said his assistants – who will handle all of the coaching duties – engage in an informal draft.
About the time they do, the sentiments for the year gone by set in.
“That’s the tough thing about high school,” Kobayashi said. “You get these guys for a few years and get to know them and then they graduate and you start over.”
Those that are leaving went out with a loss to state-champion Kahuku in the Hawai’i High School Athletic Association tournament last December. Many of the same boys fell to St. Louis in the playoffs the year before.
“They can go out with their heads up,” Kobayashi said. “The past two years, beating Waimea has meant winning the state championship. We’re kind of proud of that.
“And proud of the support we get from our community, for which we thank them, as well as the faculty and staff of Waimea High School.”
And it all starts again Friday night.
Of note: Kaua’i is planning a scrimmage on a smaller scale for Saturday, June 2, at the high school. Game time is 1 p.m. Kapa’a has no plans for a spring scrimmage.
