A learning experience. That’s what preseason is all about. Following a 42-7 loss to Kamehameha Friday night, the Waimea Menehunes may not feel like a crisp, error-free football team, but they are returning to Hanapepe Stadium with the knowledge of
A learning experience.
That’s what preseason is all about.
Following a 42-7 loss to Kamehameha Friday night, the Waimea Menehunes may not feel like a crisp, error-free football team, but they are returning to Hanapepe Stadium with the knowledge of where they stand and where they need to be.
“Kamehameha is a very good team and they were the better football team Friday night, but this is preseason and its a learning experience,” said Waimea head coach Jon Kobayashi. “We learned we have a lot of things to work on to compete with the big boys.”
Kobayashi said mistakes played a big part in the loss. Two bad punt snaps led to two Kamehameha scores – an 11-yard touchdown run from running back Travis Beyer and a 22-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Caleb Spencer (12 for 20, 206 yards) to receiver Dustin Grace.
The Menehune defense allowed 206 yards in the air and 173 yards on the ground.
“There isn’t a specific thing we need to work on, we need to improve in every area,” said Kobayashi. “I wouldn’t say we have to go back to the drawing board, we just need to perfect what we have.”
The Menehune lost 12 players to graduation last year, and are fielding a new crop of varsity and ex-jayvee players. Kobayashi said his team is not dejected by the loss, but is taking it as a starting point for improvement throughout the season.
“It only gets better from here,” said Kobayashi. “We just need to keep improving, week to week. This is what preseason is for.”
Game Notes: Running back Jordon Dizon ran for 96 yards on 18 carries. Quarterback Jon Palacio completed 9 of 18 passes for 51 yards with no interceptions.
The Menehunes lone score came on an 8-yard touchdown pass from Palacio to Travis Fernandez.
Waimea has a 1-1 preseason record and will not play until September 13, where they will host the Kaua’i Red Raiders in the first game of the Kaua’i Interscholastic Federation regular season.
