The undefeated Kaua‘i High School football team just may see themselves playing at Aloha Stadium again. The six-time Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation champion Red Raiders finished their season 6-0 and is currently the only undefeated team — of Division I and
The undefeated Kaua‘i High School football team just may see themselves playing at Aloha Stadium again.
The six-time Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation champion Red Raiders finished their season 6-0 and is currently the only undefeated team — of Division I and II — left in the High School Athletic Association. Of the teams that have already earned their spots in the First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA State Football Champions, Radford, Campbell, Lahainaluna, Kona and ‘Iolani schools all have at least one loss.
Kaua‘i will play host to Radford on Nov. 21 at Vidinha Stadium which is looking to be a winnable game. Kaua‘i hasn’t lost a state tournament game at home within the last two years. In 2006, the Red Raiders beat OIA Division II champs Waipahu High School 17-6 and earned a spot in the state title game against King Kekaulike. It was the first Division II title game and first time in HHSAA history that Neighbor Island teams played in a final.
“I like our chances,” said Kaua‘i defensive coordinator Mike Tresler, who also added that with their record, he thought it was disappointing that the Red Raiders received only the No. 3 ranking in the tournament instead of at least the second seed.
Last year, third-ranked Kaua‘i beat the Rough Riders from Roosevelt High School 40-9 and advanced to play ‘Iolani, who went on to win the title.
“(Radford) is a classic OIA team. They’re physical and they have good skills. But we played Roosevelt at home and we beat them, so we’re hoping to have that same success as last year,” Tresler said. “We know it’s always a challenge playing a physical OIA team, but we like our chances. It will be interesting because the next game will be on Maui (against Lahainaluna).”
Both Radford and Kaua‘i will have an extra week to prepare for each other since there are no games scheduled for either this week and that, Tresler said, is good for the team.
“Going through the season, some of the players are hurt and a little banged up. Having that bye week definitely helps,” he said.
The players have time to get healthy and extra time to go over game film. Not to mention there’s no traveling involved.
“Being at home is always a big advantage for us,” he said.
The Raiders finished the season averaging just more than 30 points a game and allowing an average 6 points from opposing teams.
Next week’s game is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. If the Raiders get past the Rams, they will move on to face No. 2 Lahainaluna at the War Memorial Stadium.
