Allen Pancho used to sport long hair and chase little girls and boys around the football fields. That’s how he got the nickname “Bully.” Back then, he was the water boy for Waimea High School’s and Kekaha Pop Warner’s football
Allen Pancho used to sport long hair and chase little girls and boys around the football fields. That’s how he got the nickname “Bully.”
Back then, he was the water boy for Waimea High School’s and Kekaha Pop Warner’s football teams.
Now, the 17-year-old senior linebacker/running back sports a clean buzz cut and is a key member to the revived Waimea varsity football team.
They all still call him Bully, though.
“It’s OK, I guess. I’ve gotten used to it,” he said.
Pancho has been playing football for seven years, two of those playing varsity for Waimea. This season, he and his fellow Menehune have made the goal to reclaim the Kauai Interscholastic Federation title and bring it back to Waimea.
Pancho also made a personal goal for himself for the season in order for him to help his team reach its goal.
“I wanted to drop a few pounds and work on my speed and techniques (as a linebacker),” he said.
He’s done that, averaging four tackles a game, and it’s so far so good with the team. Waimea currently sits at 3-1 KIF and 6-1 overall and the Menehune find themselves in a must-win situation Friday as they face the defending KIF champions of Kaua‘i High School (4-1, 5-1)
Waimea won its first meeting against Kaua‘i 16-14, but Kaua‘i won the second 21-7. Waimea must win on Friday to tie Kaua‘i in the standings and to keep the race for the KIF championship on.
It also happens to be Waimea’s homecoming.
“I think everyone’s ready,” he said. “This year, the team is more determined to win.”
Pancho explained that part of Waimea’s success this year is because Kyle Linoz is the head coach. Linoz is now in his second year coaching.
“We’re more disciplined now,” Pancho said. “I try to keep the team together. Before, there was conflict with the team, but now we talk about it. I try to remind them that we’re all a team playing for Waimea.”
Linoz said Pancho has been an asset to the team and its success.
“He’s one of the best players we have in terms of personality and attitude,” Linoz said.
Throughout his years being around the Waimea players when he was younger and being one himself, there are two things that he’s learned are important.
“Hard work and commitment,” he said. “I remember the hard work and the championships they used to win. I want to show my hard work and commitment to the team.”
Pancho and his teammates will be participating in Waimea’s Spirit Week all week long, which started out with a bonfire Sunday.
Waimea plays Kaua‘i on Friday. The junior varsity team starts the night off with kickoff at 5:30 p.m. The varsity team takes the field at 7:35 p.m.
Allen Pancho
Hometown: Hanapepe
Family: Parents Paul and Sharon Pancho, one sister
Hobbies: Baseball and football
Favorite football player: Jordon Dizon, linebacker for the University of Colorado. “He’s a Kaua‘i boy and a former Waimea player. I was his water boy, too. I like the way he acts; he leads the nation in tackles but he’s really humble about it.”
College football team he’d like to play for: Hawai‘i
What he likes to do when he’s not playing sports: “Hanging out and just cruising.”
