For the first time since 1991, the Kaua‘i High School Red Raider football team has the bullseye on its back. Going into the KIF season, the red and white squad look to do the hardest thing in sports: repeat as
For the first time since 1991, the Kaua‘i High School Red Raider football team has the bullseye on its back.
Going into the KIF season, the red and white squad look to do the hardest thing in sports: repeat as champions!
But according to head coach Keli‘i Morgado, the feat shouldn’t be as hard it seems.
“Although we lost productive players from last year, we were still able to get talented players from the junior varsity team, plus we have great leaders,” Morgado said.
Speaking of great leaders, the Red Raiders have the ultimate leader at quarterback in the arm of Kekoa Crowell. The senior has proven his worth in the off-season through camps and has gotten looks from several Division I schools.
In addition to Crowell, Kaua‘i has a slew of talented offensive players, which include center Bronson Bacarro, who, according to Punahou coaches is one of the top centers in the state.
Senior running back Brian Rodriguez has the speed and quickness to stabilize the passing attack.
Pat Kua, the biggest of the Red Raider linemen brings toughness and utility man, Kevin Cadiente does it all for the Kaua‘i attack.
On the defensive side, Lance Okasaki, is according to Morgado, a general and leads the secondary, along with Lance Satta, who’s considered the best cover guy on the island.
Add bookends, Kevin Holtzman and Preston Ramson to the mix and you have a defense that should keep opposing offenses off the field.
“Our strength of course is our offense right now, but our defense is improving,” Morgado said.
With the KIF in Division II this season, all three teams will be competing for the island’s only berth in the state football tournament. Morgado disagrees with the Division II move, but feels optimistic about his team’s chances this year.
“If given the choice, (of which league to play in) I would go to Division I, but if we play up to our potential, we should go very far this year in Division II,” Morgado said.
With unfamiliar territory ahead of them, the Red Raider football team has a coach that won’t let them get too confident.
“Last year was last year, this year is different, we have a harder task in front of us and we can’t get complacent,” Morgado said.
The only thing for sure this year in the KIF football season is that you’ll definitely get your money’s worth, as this year should come down to the wire with all three teams as hungry as ever. Kaua‘i High School has the chance of repeating as champs for the first time in a long time, Waimea will try to get back the KIF title, which resembled blue for so long, and Kapa‘a looks to pull off an upset or two, so put those seatbelts on and get ready for some exciting KIF football action.
This weekend, Kaua‘i High School faces a tough San Clemente squad from California. The Tritons, with an enrollment of about 3,200 students have gone to the CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) Division II semifinals three straight years.
Much like Kaua‘i, San Clemente is a beach town and boasts some of the best surfers in the world. The Tritons aren’t as bad on the field as well, as they feature a two quarterback scheme in junior Mike Cook and senior Brad Donnelly. On the line, Division I prospect Adrian Martinez has the size (6’5″ 290 lbs.) and talent to mow away any opposing linemen. On the ground, Nick Krempasky leads the attack for the Triton football squad, which brings big-time football to Kaua‘i at Vidinha Stadium on Friday. The junior varsity contest kicks off at 5:00 p.m. and the varsity game will follow at 7:35 p.m.
Meanwhile, Waimea High School travels to the Big Island on Friday to battle with the Hilo Vikings and Kapa‘a High School faces Division II defending champs, Lahainaluna on Saturday in Maui.
The KIF regular season begins on September 10 with Kaua‘i battling Kapa‘a at Vidinha Stadium.
