When the 2005-06 KIF football schedule was completed, the Friday, Nov. 4 contest at Hanapepe Stadium stood out like a brightly colored aloha shirt. Not only is it the last game of the season, but the contest is also Waimea’s
When the 2005-06 KIF football schedule was completed, the Friday, Nov. 4 contest at Hanapepe Stadium stood out like a brightly colored aloha shirt.
Not only is it the last game of the season, but the contest is also Waimea’s homecoming celebration.
So if both teams made it through the season battling for first-place, Friday’s KIF finale would be, without a doubt, the biggest game of the year.
And as the season unfolded, the Red Raiders managed to go one up on Waimea, after a 7-0 win at Hanapepe Stadium, thanks to Duke Dasalia’s touchdown.
But the Menehune fought back and nearly made the top of the KIF a bit crowded. However, the second Menehune/Red Raider game ended in a 7-7 tie at Vidinha Stadium.
So as you can see, both teams are only separated by a few points, a touchdown for that matter so far this season, which is probably what you’ll see on Friday night at Hanapepe Stadium — another close battle going down to the wire.
Another spectacle to watch on Friday night is the Kaua’i JV football squad, who are still undefeated and have yet to allow a point on the defense.
Kaua’i was also undefeated last season, which brings its win streak to 11 straight in the span of two years.
On the varsity side, look for no surprises from both teams. Waimea will try to run the ball down Kaua’i’s throat and the Red Raiders will try to air it out with an ample mixture of runs.
However, the key for Friday’s game will be defense and special teams. Kaua’i’s defense has a leg up on the Menehune, but the boys in blue have something to prove and if the title should shift back to the westside, Waimea has to play strong on defense.
If the Menehune win, it will set up a playoff showdown for all the marbles, but if the Red Raiders spoil Waimea’s homecoming with a win, they’ll capture their third straight KIF title.
