The Kauai High-Kapaa High rivalry is one that usually stirs plenty of emotion on the field, in the stands and in pre- and post-game discussions. It doesn’t really matter which sport is being played. Fans and players can get very
The Kauai High-Kapaa High rivalry is one that usually stirs plenty of emotion on the field, in the stands and in pre- and post-game discussions. It doesn’t really matter which sport is being played. Fans and players can get very intense and the repeated matchups each season usually only build the drama even further.
The most intense game that I’ve been to was the Raiders’ and Warriors’ third football meeting in 2010. Kauai was trying for its eighth consecutive KIF title and Kapaa was hoping to disrupt the dynasty with both teams sitting at 3-1. Kauai won a 14-13 slugfest that ended on an unsuccessful field goal attempt at the final horn. Each sideline was erupting for different reasons and the Warriors saw some of their emotion understandably spill over.
The loudest game I’ve been to was a Kauai-Kapaa boys basketball game for the 2010-11 KIF crown. The game needed two overtimes to determine a winner and it ended in thrilling fashion as Spam Lindsey sunk a putback at the buzzer for a 57-55 win. The gym was so loud that to this day, I doubt you can find anyone on island who knows for certain if Lindsey’s shot left his hands before the buzzer sounded. I know I certainly couldn’t tell, but it triggered a celebratory explosion from the Warrior faithful.
But this week’s Raiders-Warriors football tilt is unlikely to reach a similar crescendo. It’s their final meeting of the year, but Kapaa might be looking ahead to bigger and better things. With their 28-0 win over Waimea last week, the Warriors clinched a second straight KIF title and appear to be the team to beat in all of Division II. In terms of a result, Kapaa has little to play for. They’ll be trying to stay sharp, continue to get better and keep their shutout streak alive, which currently stands at four games.
But I wouldn’t blame the Kapaa staff if it’s beginning to focus more on teams like Radford, Nanakuli and Damien. With the Warriors’ spot in the state tournament locked up, it will be hoping for a top seed and would likely face one or more of those schools in the later rounds. Having dominated KIF play so thoroughly, I’m sure Kapaa’s practice and situational game play will revolve more around what those teams might do and less around what they’ve already seen from Kauai and Waimea.
BOWS’ GRADE STILL AN INCOMPLETE: While we know for certain that Kapaa is very good, we’re five games into the college season and we still have no idea about the Rainbow Warriors. Hawaii has a pair of wins over Colorado and UC Davis, but in three games against three very good teams — Ohio State, Wisconsin and Boise State — the ‘Bows have been held scoreless for all 180 minutes of play.
So the one thing we know is that UH is not competitive with the elite programs. That’s no surprise. Hawaii hasn’t been built for that for some time and were huge underdogs in all three contests. They played their best against No. 1 Ohio State, but have consistently had problems moving the football.
It’s unfair to make any defining statements about quarterback Max Wittek when he’s dealt with three elite defenses to this point. But Wittek will need to begin showing his pedigree week to week. He’s got a good arm, he’s a good leader and he understands the quarterback position. He was named the starter over Ikaika Woolsey so that Hawaii (2-3) could win games like Saturday’s home contest with San Diego State (2-3).
I saw the Aztecs in their matchup against Penn State, a 37-21 loss in Happy Valley. Though they were mostly dominated in terms of yardage and possession, San Diego State played an opportunistic game and were dangerous on special teams. They trailed by just six points after three quarters and never quit despite being outmanned.
Penn State’s not as good as Ohio State, Wisconsin or even Boise State, but the Aztecs put up a much better fight in their road game against a power team than the ‘Bows have. Hawaii enters as a small favorite, but we’re going to learn more about UH in this one game than we have all season.
LET’S GO METS: Yes. Let’s go Mets. That is all.
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David Simon can be reached at dsimon@thegardenisland.com.
