KAPA’A – Stick to fundamentals, play both sides of the ball and stay positive. These ideas take up the first three pages of head coach Wes Kaui’s playbook, and so far it has worked for the Kapa’a Warriors through summer
KAPA’A – Stick to fundamentals, play both sides of the ball and stay positive.
These ideas take up the first three pages of head coach Wes Kaui’s playbook, and so far it has worked for the Kapa’a Warriors through summer camp and three pre-season games.
At 2-1, the Warriors haven’t just exhibited positive attitudes, but positive yards – over 500 on offense in its first two games against King Kekaulike and Honoka’a. They beat the two teams a combined 60-28, showcasing a tough-nosed style of play to compliment its nimble quarterback, Dustin Mundon. And when the Warriors ended its preseason with a 40-6 loss to Kamehameha, they returned to Kapa’a with the added experience of playing a high profile football program.
Are they ready for the Waimea Menehunes this Friday?
“Are we ready? That’s a difficult question,” said Kaui. “This is Waimea we’re talking about: KIF champs for 10-straight years. I don’t care where they are in the polls right now, to me they are still fourth best in the State.”
Kaui also found the question of how to stop running back Jordon Dizon difficult to answer. Dizon rushed for 229 yards and 4 TDs in Waimea’s 34-20 win over Kaua’i last Friday.
“Jordon played baseball with my son a while back, and even then I remember thinking he was going to be a professional athlete in something someday,” said Kaui. “He is one of the best athletes in the State.”
How to deal with him?
“I’m thinking of calling his mother and asking her where she gets her Spam musubi.”
Kaui says the Warriors are heading to Vidinha Stadium with the same game plan they have set for the 2002 season. Kapa’a is stressing fundamentals – tackling, blocking, playing both sides etc., and mistake-free football. He says his players know what they are up against on Friday and will be ready to play.
“We have total respect for [Waimea], their coaching staff and players,” said Kaui. “Our guys know what they are up against. But we are going into the game with a good attitude and positive outlook, and whether we are playing Waimea or Kaua’i, that’s the way I want this season to be.”
KIF Standings
Team KIF Ovr.
Waimea 1-0 2-1
Kapa’a 0-0 2-1
Kaua’i 1-0 0-2
Preseason:
Kapa’a 26, Kekaulike 14
Waimea 25, Hilo 0
Maui 14, Kaua’i 7
Kam. 42, Waimea 7
Kapa’a 34, Honokaa 14
Kam. 40, Kapa’a 6
Regular Season
Waimea 34, Kauai 20
Next Game – Friday
Waimea at Kapa’a @ Vidinha Stadium, 7:30 p.m. varsity, 5:00 p.m. junior varsity.
