When the Hanapepe Colts Junior Varsity football team captured its first title with a 28-0 win over Waianae on Saturday at Hanapepe Stadium, the team did not realize how close it was before having to leave for Florida. The victory
When the Hanapepe Colts Junior Varsity football team captured its first title with a 28-0 win over Waianae on Saturday at Hanapepe Stadium, the team did not realize how close it was before having to leave for Florida.
The victory gives the Colts eligibility to participate in the national Pop Warner Super Bowl in Florida. But time is running out because the team leaves Wednesday for their first game which kicks off Saturday in Orlando, Florida.
“This is the first Junior Midget/Junior Varsity division team to ever go to the Pop Warner Super Bowl from Kauai,” said Val Rita, mother of Kyle Linoz, the Hanapepe Colts JV’s head coach. “This is a big deal. The problem is that we are running out of time to fundraise. Initially, we were under the impression that we would be traveling Dec. 3. Instead, we’re leaving Wednesday.”
Cherie Linoz, the Hanapepe Pop Warner Association president, said there have been several groups stepping up to the plate to help the Colts with fundraising efforts.
Brick Oven Pizza, both its stores in Kalaheo and Wailua, have agreed to contribute 10 percent of all food sales between 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday to help the Hanapepe Pop Warner Association’s travel team.
The HPWA will host a kalua dinner fundraiser pickup Saturday at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tickets are available at the door.
Also, the HPWA will have random prize drawing contributions for a $500 gift card at the Junior Pee Wee Championship game Sunday starting at 10 a.m. at Vidinha Stadium. The Hanapepe Colts JPW will be kicking off against the Kapaa Eagles JPW for the rights to play in the Harold Naumu Bowl on Dec. 3 at Hanapepe Stadium.
Monday, the HPWA will do a final push for the travel team when Pizza Hut stores across the state will donate 25 percent of food sales earned by using the specially-coded order form.
Cherie Linoz and Hanapepe Pop Warner Association representatives will also be volunteering at the McDonald’s in the Eleele Shopping Center between 5 to 8 p.m. with 10 percent of the proceeds earned during this time being donated to the Hanapepe Pop Warner Association.
“We have already received a lot of community support through congratulations, best wishes, and some donations,” Cherie said. “We are very appreciative. We are extremely excited to be representing our community of Hanapepe, the island of Kauai, and the State of Hawaii at the Pop Warner Super Bowl. We thank the community for all of its continued support.”
The team leaves Kauai for the Pop Warner Super Bowl in Florida on Wednesday, arriving in Florida on Friday for its first game Saturday in Orlando.
The Pop Warner Super Bowl, Division II championship, is scheduled for Dec. 9, and the teams return on Dec. 11.
