LIHU‘E — Lihu‘e Bulldog quarterback Royce Allianic connected with Reggie McFadden for a 28-yard scoring pass to give the Bulldogs a 12-8 edge over the hard-pressing Eastside Na Koa, Wednesday at Vidinha Stadium. The win for Lihu‘e opens the American
LIHU‘E — Lihu‘e Bulldog quarterback Royce Allianic connected with Reggie McFadden for a 28-yard scoring pass to give the Bulldogs a 12-8 edge over the hard-pressing Eastside Na Koa, Wednesday at Vidinha Stadium.
The win for Lihu‘e opens the American Youth Football league for Kaua‘i’s young athletes who are of the age group for the Pop Warner Midget division games.
Several hundred fans filled the bleachers at Vidinha Stadium, taking advantage of a gate admission that also entitled them to a bento, the proceeds from the contributions helping to fund the fledgling league.
Eastside Na Koa found the end zone about midway through the first quarter when quarterback Fresno Masaniai, on a keeper play, broke open for a 25-yard scoring run.
Noah Croydon’s point-after boot proved to be critical when the Bulldogs answered on a nice scoring drive capped by Kainalu Eva-Smith finding the end zone in traffic on an 8-yard end-around.
Kalen Lagoc-Chang’s point-after boot was rushed, and despite having the range, just missed the uprights, giving Eastside an 8-6 lead that stood until the second half when Allianic completed his scoring hit to McFadden.
“The community support for this league has been great,” said Tina Albao, one of the league’s team moms. “Kaua‘i Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. stopped by to take in some of the game to show his support for the young athletes.”
Brad Hiranaka, coach for the Lihu‘e Bulldogs, got some people together after learning that Kaua‘i Pop Warner Football League would be offering only the Junior Pee Wee and Junior Midget divisions for the 2009-2010 season.
Starting with about 15 players for the Lihu‘e squad and about the same number for the Eastside program, the number grew to about 60 boys between the two teams prior to Wednesday’s inaugural game, Albao said.
Equipment for the boys was donated from people who could spare them so the boys could play, and through weeks of practice, the efforts paid off with the first game, Wednesday.
In an earlier interview, Hiranaka said the AYF league allows boys through the ninth grade, but because it was a fledgling program, he would allow 10th grade athletes for this year only.
Ralph Suniga, the voice of the Kaua‘i High School Red Raider football program, lent his support to the AYF by announcing Wednesday’s game, noting that AYF requires three basic principles of all its members — safety, sportsmanship, and full participation.
Albao said following the game, the teams hosted each other to a potluck with the players and their parents.
“Overall, I think the game was very successful,” Albao said. “The kids had a great time and everyone seemed to be having a good time. We just want to thank everyone for all their support for these kids.”
The American Youth Football program was established in 1996 and is an international youth football organization established to promote the wholesome development of youth through their association with adult leaders in the sport of American football, states the mission statement from the AYF Web site.
For more information on the AYF program and its goals, visit its Web site at www.americanyouthfootball.com.
