LIHU’E – Saturday night presented a prime opportunity for the Kaua’i Cowboys. The Hawai’i Football League’s top team, the Maui Stars, were coming to play on the Cowboys’ turf – and with depleted forces, no less. Traveling difficulty left the
LIHU’E – Saturday night presented a prime opportunity for the Kaua’i Cowboys.
The Hawai’i Football League’s top team, the Maui Stars, were coming to play on the Cowboys’ turf – and with depleted forces, no less. Traveling difficulty left the Stars with just 14 bodies of the 39 on their roster.
But those 14 were enough.
Despite playing strong in spurts, Kaua’i was unable to sustain much of an offensive threat, falling 14-0 to Maui, and dropping to 1-2 in the HFL. The Stars moved to 4-1 in the semi-pro league.
It didn’t hurt Maui that of its 14 available players, three had played at NCAA Division-I schools – two at UH-Manoa, one at Fresno State – and one at a junior college. The remaining 11 were standouts at their respective high schools.
Maui’s experience showed. When the Stars weren’t handing off to running back Danny Crowell (21 carries, 60 yards), they were executing somewhat difficult passing routes with precision.
Though not listed as a quarterback on the Stars’ roster, Nalu Akinaka completed 12-of-21 passes for 124 yards and two touchdowns.
He was not the only Maui player operating out of position, and nearly all were playing both offense and defense. By the end of the fourth quarter, most of the Stars were hunched over their knees, waiting for the final horn.
Meanwhile, Kaua’i was busy battling to try and stay in the game.
Midway through the third quarter, Cowboys head coach/player Al Ah Loo, sidelined with an injury, swapped starting quarterback James Carvalho with veteran Shawn McGurrin.
To that point, Carvalho had completed 5-of-18 passes for 69 yards and thrown one interception. Many of his passes were well-placed, but Kaua’i receivers were unable to reel them in.
McGurrin fared no better. With his opportunity, the quarterback completed just 1-of-9 passes for 27 yards and tossed an interception. In fairness, McGurrin had a few of his passes dropped.
Unfortunately for Kaua’i, its ground game was even less effective.
Cowboys’ backs rushed nine times for 20 yards, and did not have a gain over six yards.
Defensively, Kaua’i got stronger as the game progressed. The Cowboys were able to capitalize on the Stars’ tired legs.
Maui, in fact, was only able to score in the first half – both in the second quarter.
The Stars’ first score came on a four-yard play-action pass from Akinaka to Loren Osborn. That came at the 10:55 mark of the second period.
Kaua’i nearly escaped the half without yielding another score.
The Cowboys had forced Maui into a fourth-and-three at Kaua’i’ 20-yard line. Maui went for it, giving the ball to Crowell, a former Rainbow Warrior, who bounced off Cowboys’ tacklers for nine yards.
On the next play, Akinaka found Cy Peters for an 11-yard touchdown.
Kaua’i showed some promise to open the third quarter. The Cowboys strung together a seven-play drive that pushed them into Maui territory for just the second time all night.
On third-and-four from the Stars’ 44-yard line, Carvalho fired a pass that slipped through the hands of a receiver, and into the waiting arms of a Star.
The Cowboys seemed to deflate a bit after that. They also may have tired a bit. Earlier this week, Ah Loo admitted that some of his troops were still banged up from Kaua’i’s 24-0 loss to Na Kani Koa last Saturday.
The Cowboys do not play next Saturday, giving them two weeks to prepare for the Hilo Storm June 30 on the Big Island.
Visitors find victory despite roster deficiency
