Kapa‘a Na Koa wins second AYF outing

LIHU‘E — Kapa‘a Na Koa’s Cory Payomo had a 28-yard touchdown run and ran in a point-after point to lead Na

Koa to a 21-6 win over the Lihu‘e Bulldogs, Wednesday

at Vidinha Stadium.

The win came after Earl Thronas broke open for an eight-yard scoring run to break a 6-6 halftime stalemate. Payomo ran the point-after point for the 13-6 Kapa‘a bulge at the end of the third quarter.

Payomo iced the victory in the final quarter with a 28-yard run to the end zone. Noah Croydon booted the point-after for the 21-6 final.

Lihu‘e opened up the action in the first quarter when a Bulldog defender recovered a

Na Koa fumble inside the 10-yard line.

That set up Lihu‘e’s only score when Michael Remigio, playing solid on both sides of the ball, took the handoff on an end-around run to paydirt behind solid blocking from

his line.

The point-after boot by Remigio failed to gain altitude.

Na Koa’s win gives the newly-created team a 2-0 record in the American Youth Football league that was formed after boys 15 years and younger discovered the Kaua‘i Pop Warner Football League would only be offering a Jr. Midget option.

Brad Hiranaka, president of the Kaua‘i AYF, started the league to offer the young players an option of playing football.

Ralph Suniga, volunteering as an announcer for the league games, said the league is open to youth 15 years and under with no weight restrictions and is based on three basic principles: safety, sportsmanship and full participation.

Zack Octavio, the American Medical Response Kaua‘i director, said he would like to see more coaches volunteer to enable youth from all over the island play in the league.

Tina Albao, the AYF treasurer, said Hiranaka is seeking interested individuals willing to serve as coaches. Interested people can call Hiranaka at

652-9962.

There are four remaining games in the 2009 season, and the next game is scheduled for Oct. 14 starting at 5:30 p.m. at Vidinha Stadium.

Admission is a $2 donation to the AYF league.