Unfavorable Impression

LIHU’E – In a world bent on first impressions, the Kaua’i Red Raiders have put themselves in the unenviable position of digging out from under theirs.

An unglamorous 14-7 loss to Hawai’i Preparatory Academy Saturday afternoon at Vidinha Stadium included five Kaua’i turnovers and a thwarting 105 yards in penalties.

It wasn’t how head coach Keli’i Morgado wanted to introduce his team to Kaua’i fans – 250 were in attendance – many of whom expected big things after the Red Raiders’ 21-13 win at Maui last week.

“I felt like this game was going to be tough,” Morgado said. “Emotionally, it was tough for us to forget the Maui game.

“I saw a lack of intensity in practice and it came out today.”

Penalties were the lack of focus’ most recognizable form. And both teams were guilty. HPA (1-1) committed 122 yards worth, but Kaua’i’s seemed to come at more critical junctures.

Despite three-plus quarters of fan-frustrating play, the Red Raiders scored early in the fourth on a well-executed pass play from freshman quarterback Kekoa Crowell to receiver Rejis Canales, cutting the Ka Makanis lead to 14-7. The touchdown fired up the Kaua’i defense. On HPA’s ensuing possession, Red Raider Raym Jerves intercepted a HPA pass. It appeared Kaua’i would have the ball at the Ka Makanis 31-yard line and a wave of momentum to boot.

But a clipping call and a personal foul moved the Red Raiders (1-1) back 30 yards. Five plays later, Jerves launched his sixth punt and the steam was gone.

Later in the fourth quarter, Kaua’i had HPA pinned deep in its own territory and was one play from forcing a change of possession. But a personal foul on third-and-15 gave the Ka Makanis the first down they needed to run out the clock.

But Morgado’s bigger disappointment was that his team even faced that predicament.

“I thought our defense played pretty well,” the coach said. “But we had no offensive consistency. We go out and make a big play and then make three bad plays and have to punt.

“We haven’t put together a long drive in either of our preseason games. We’ve just been capitalizing on the great opportunities given to us by our defense.”

Kaua’i had four plays of 20 yards or more, but was only able to build on one of them.

In fairness, the Red Raiders have yet to play with their first- or second-string quarterback.

Saturday, third-stringer Rejis Canales (5-10, 36 yards, two interceptions) started and had a difficult time with the Ka Makanis defense. He tossed two interceptions and muffed all three of his attempts to run the option.

Just before the end of the first half, Crowell moved under center. The freshman is slated to start for the junior varsity Red Raiders. He performed admirably, completing 4-of-10 for 90 yards. He threw two interceptions in addition to the touchdown.

“You could tell today that we had our third-string and JV quarterback out there,” Morgado said.

Jameson Smith rushed 13 times for 84 yards. Morgado was asked if that was enough carries for his best back.

“No, but this is the preseason. We’re trying to work on some things,” he said.

Morgado then pointed out other good things about the preseason.

“Last week’s win was big and didn’t count,” the coach said. “This week’s terrible loss also doesn’t count.”

The game’s turning point came midway through the third quarter. Facing a fourth-and-8 on Kaua’i’s 29-yard line, HPA elected to go for it. Quarterback Patrick Blasdell (8-of-16, 120 yards) rolled to his right, giving receiver Wildes Brawner time to sprint to the sideline – taking Kaua’i’s Bransen Zeffiro with him – before turning up field to the end zone. Blasdell hit Brawner in stride and HPA went ahead 14-0.

The Red Raiders were strong defensively, holding HPA to 172 total yards. Morgado said he was happy with the play of Dustin Goias, Keala Watson, Raymond Manuel and Daniel Fajardo.

Kaua’i hosts Waimea September 7 at 7:30 to open the KIF.