LIHU‘E — Several hundred people braved the biting winds to see the Kaua‘i Crusaders make its debut in the Hawai‘i Professional Football League Saturday at Vidinha Stadium in Lihu‘e. Coached by Brad Hiranaka, with assistants Dan Nanbu, Mario Longboy, Dean
LIHU‘E — Several hundred people braved the biting winds to see the Kaua‘i Crusaders make its debut in the Hawai‘i Professional Football League Saturday at Vidinha Stadium in Lihu‘e.
Coached by Brad Hiranaka, with assistants Dan Nanbu, Mario Longboy, Dean Petro and Stacy Iwasaki, the team was overwhelmed by the Ko‘olau Hurricanes who swept through the Crusaders for a 37-0 win.
Behind the signal calling from quarterback Bradson Hiranaka, the Crusaders were stymied both in the air and on the ground by the quicker and bigger Ko‘olau boys.
But the Crusaders had its moments during the game, Ashkon Kuhaulua reversing the defense and plucking a Daniel Tautofi pass in the third quarter with a return into Hurricanes’ territory.
Nothing came of that drive when the Ko‘olau defense stiffened and held the Crusaders to just a three-yard gain on the drive before Brad Wakuta had to punt away.
Another scoring opportunity presented itself late in the third period when Zach Rodrigues, taking the handoff from Bradson on a reverse, found open ground until the Ko‘olau two-yard line before the period ended.
Opening the final frame, the Crusaders hammered against an unrelenting Ko‘olau defensive wall, and after being strapped by a penalty, finally gave up the ball on the Ko‘olau six-yard line.
The HPFL, while having the Crusaders host the Hurricanes, also played an Aloha Stadium match with the Wai‘anae Sharks taking on the North Shore Raiders on O‘ahu.
Kaua‘i football fans will get to see more of the HPFL teams when the Crusaders host the Wai‘anae Sharks, Saturday at a 6 p.m. kickoff at Vidinha Stadium.
On March 16, the Crusaders will host the North Shore Raiders in a 6 p.m. kickoff at Vidinha Stadium to end the HPFL regular season.
Playoffs are scheduled starting March 23 with the Kaua‘i Crusaders playing a team to be announced at Aloha Stadium on O‘ahu.
The Crusaders are also scheduled to play another team to be announced March 30, starting at 4 p.m. at Aloha Stadium, and a final game on April 6 at Vidinha Stadium against a team to be announced.
The Kaua‘i Crusaders are sponsored by Servo Pacific/Kaua‘i Toyota, Girards Quality Cleaners, Cushnie, Txturz Hair Designs, DND Auto Detailing and Petro Construction.
