The scoreboard at Kaua‘i (2-0) games has been lonely, only getting
attention a few times a contest so far this season, but according to
head coach Keli‘i Morgado, that’s about to change.
“This week has been our most productive week this season. I’m not sure
why, but our offense, defense, and special teams looked great. It makes
the coaching staff and team really eager to play,” Morgado said.
In their two previous games, the Red Raiders sputtered on offense, which
is frustrating, if compared to the past two seasons, where points came
easy.
“Our offense has moved the ball between the 20s and have self-
destructed. We have to finish drives and have the confidence to do so.
It’s tough to gain confidence against the best defense on the island,
but we’ve had success this week, so we hope to light up the scoreboards
(tonight),” Morgado noted.
But the Red Raider head man wasn’t really surprised about the lack of
success of his offensive crew.
“It’s a year I anticipated, though. Last year’s offense was senior-
heavy. It’s just part of high-school athletics. I’m sure Red-Raider fans
are just as frustrated. I’m hoping to reward them and ourselves with
more points on the board,” Morgado said.
The alternating of quarterbacks will continue tonight for Kaua‘i, but
don’t blink if you see a different number entering the contest.
That’s because sophomore Andrew Renaud is out for the season due to an
injury.
“I was leaning towards him. He’s got such a bright future. (Kainoa)
Lemke and (Tron) Rule will be our quarterbacks. (There’s still a)
possibility of bringing up JV guys,” Morgado said.
Rule, a senior, will get his first action of the season tonight and his
experience is what Morgado is counting on.
“Lemke isn’t ready to run the offense himself. I don’t have a set
rotation. Tron understands the offense and has a lot of experience,”
Morgado said.
At the receiver spots, the Red Raiders are talent-rich, but the group
hasn’t had a breakout game just yet.
“I feel that we have a lot of talent at the four receiver slots. We’re
really deep. We’re not called the run and shoot for nothing. We’re going
to try to run our opponents to death, at the least (that’s what) we’re
going to try to do. We’re going to try to utilize every part of the
field, and make Kapa‘a keep up with us,” Morgado noted.
“We have some incentive (tonight). We’re also working for something
else: the Quinones family,” Morgado said.
“For some reason it felt like a very long bye week,” Morgado said.
But the long week has ended for the Red Raiders, who seem to be coming
around after struggling in their two wins over Waimea and Kapa‘a, which
could mean a pretty busy night for the score-board at Vidinha Stadium.
- Duane Shimogawa Jr., sports editor, may be reached at 245-3681
(ext. 257) or kauaisports@kauaipubco.com
