Kaua’i’s semi-pro team faces Windward Hawks tonight It’s been a bumpy start to the 2001 Hawai’i Football League season for the Kaua’i Cowboys. The team’s May 12 season opener disintegrated when the scheduled opponent – Kona Ikaika – couldn’t field
Kaua’i’s semi-pro team faces Windward Hawks tonight
It’s been a bumpy start to the 2001 Hawai’i Football League season for the Kaua’i Cowboys.
The team’s May 12 season opener disintegrated when the scheduled opponent – Kona Ikaika – couldn’t field enough players. The May 19 contest against the Kihei Heat on Maui had to be rescheduled when it was discovered War Memorial Stadium was spoken for that evening.
Saturday night, things will be different. The Cowboys will open their season at Vidinha Stadium at 7 p.m.
“The Windward Hawks are coming over and we’re going to have our home opener,” coach/player Al Ah Loo said. “And we’re feeling confident. I think we’re really going to stick it to them. These guys are absolutely ready to play.”
Comprised of former high school players, a former college player or two and other men with football aspirations, the Kaua’i Cowboys are the only semi-pro team on the island. Ah Loo has been with the team since its inception 10 years ago, and bubbles with intensity and excitement when discussing the possibilities for this season.
“We’ve got guys out here with a lot of skill and a lot of heart,” Ah Loo said. “And for the first time, we’ve got an administrative side, a board of directors, so I can just get down to coaching and dealing with my guys.”
While Ah Loo said that in the past he’s been responsible for every aspect of running the team – from marketing to playing defensive line – he now feels there’s a backbone to the Cowboys. The most important vertebrae being new owner Rudy Bosma.
The local businessman owns Coconuts Bar & Grill, Two Frogs Hugging and Hanalei Mixed Plate. With his financial backing and business sense, Bosma thinks the Cowboys can become viable both on and off the field.
“This is a team that’s come close to winning before and has the potential to be good,” Bosma said. “We’d also like to get them into the community, acting as role models and representing the island.”
Handling those duties will be newly-named president Koko Kanealii.
“We have visions of what can be,” Kanealii said. “Plus, having the backing of myself and Rudy takes the burden of Al, whose done a great job to keep things going.”
It also allows Ah Loo to focus exclusively on coaching and playing the sport he loves passionately.
“We’ve been practicing two or three times a week for about three months,” Ah Loo said. “We’ve got about 25 guys who come out regularly, and we’ve stepped it up in the last couple of weeks.
“We’re looking good. We haven’t peaked, though.”
Understandable, considering they have yet to suit up against an opponent.
“We are repped out. We’re ready to hit some other guys,” Ah Loo said. “And when we do, I think people are going to see very good things.”
Getting the nod at quarterback for the Cowboys will be James Carvalho, who happens to be from the Windward side of Oahu. He will be backed by Shaun McGurrin.
Though Ah Loo didn’t go into much detail, he said the offensive attack will be well-rounded, as usual, but that defense will be the calling card of his team.
“We’ve always prided ourselves on defense,” Ah Loo said. “The knock on us has always been our size, but we’re quick and we like to hit people, which makes for exciting football.”
When asked for players to watch on the defensive side of the ball, Ah Loo answered without missing a beat.
“The Mundon boys,” the coach said with confidence. “Just watch the Mundon boys.”
James Jr., Desmond and Gavin, Ah Loo said, make the Cowboys’ defensive front a powerful one. Leading the way in the backfield will be HFL all-star Reid Pagtolingen, affectionately referred to as “the rocket,” by teammates.
“He’s the difference maker in the defensive backfield,” Ah Loo said.
Perhaps the most inspirational member of the Cowboys’ roster is center Hilton Abreu. The big man has been with Ah Loo since day one. He is a diabetic, currently fighting the blindness wrought by the disease.
“He’s out there on every play, giving it everything,” Ah Loo said.
The coach said seeing fans in the Vidinha Stadium stands would inspire the rest of his players to do the same. Ah Loo said it’s been quite some time since “I looked up there and saw 500 people.
“I think if I saw that on Saturday, or this season, I’d start crying.”
The Skinny
– What: Hawai’i Football League contest
– Who: Windward Hawks at Kaua’i Cowboys
– Where: Vidinha Stadium
– When: 7 p.m.
– Tickets: $5
– Of Note: This will be the Cowboys’ opener
