• KIF sports on the horizon KIF sports on the horizon By Duane Shimogawa Jr. – The Garden Island Mark your calendars for August 20, as the KIF kicks off its first action of the 2005-2006 campaign. On that day,
• KIF sports on the horizon
KIF sports on the horizon
By Duane Shimogawa Jr. – The Garden Island
Mark your calendars for August 20, as the KIF kicks off its first action of the 2005-2006 campaign.
On that day, the Kapa‘a Warriors football squad, spearheaded by new coach Sia Salausa, will take his troops to Vidinha Stadium to battle Hawai‘i Prepatory Academy.
One day before that, the Menehune will be on Maui, squaring off against Baldwin.
And the two-time defending KIF champion Kaua‘i High School football team won’t see any action until August 27 on the Big Island, against Kona.
A day before that, the Warriors will face the Warriors of Kamehameha-Big Island.
The complete KIF schedule isn’t out just yet, but thanks to Diane Nitta, the KIF’s executive secretary, the contests for football are out.
For a complete look at the KIF’s 2005-2006 schedule, see the scoreboard on page B2.
Oh and by the way, the regular season kicks off on September 9, with Kapa‘a hosting Waimea at Vidinha Stadium. And remember, JV games start at 5 p.m. and the varsity contest follows at 7:30 p.m.
With the Red Raiders looking like the front runners, because of its strong JV showing, both Kapa‘a and Waimea should challenge for the top spot, so don’t count them out of bringing down the “Red Train” and their two straight titles.
But their main components of quarterback Kekoa Crowell and Kevin Cadiente are gone due to graduation.
The spot QB might be platooned at first by a few inexperienced throwers, but they possess special qualities. Kainoa Lemke, Tron Rule, and Andrew Renaud look like the front runners.
In all, Kaua‘i has lost 23 players from last year’s roster, but the JV squad will definitely replace most, if not all of those individuals.
Waimea, in the meantime, will rely heavily on its JV squad for players. The Menehune dropped 25 players to graduation, but their best player from last season, Kenny Estes, the perennial preseason KIF football player of the year, is ready to go this season and might even see some action at the quarterback spot.
Kapa‘a, who always fields the biggest group of players, will have 32 spots to fill, but again, the eastside bunch will showcase a huge squad once again.
Under first-year head coach Sia Salausa has the dangerous Ekolu Allianic returning for his senior season. Add a solid defense to the mix and the Warriors are looking like a refurbished bunch, that could surprise some people this season.
Right about the same time, the KIF volleyball season will commence and it looks like another tight season for all three schools.
The Red Raider girls look like the preseason favorites, but on the boys’ side, all three squads have lost key players, so it will be interesting to see young players rise to the occasion.
Another KIF season is on the brink and there’s just about a month left before it begins with preseason football and volleyball as well. Hold on tight, ‘cuz it’s about to get busy!
