LIHUE — With football season about a month away, local fans got a small taste of what’s to come this upcoming season.
Kapaa, Kauai and Waimea high schools’ junior varsity and varsity football teams held 7-on-7 scrimmages Saturday morning at Kauai High School.
“We had a chance to go out there, look at our skill positions — our receivers and one of our quarterback candidates, which I though he did well,” said Kauai High School varsity head coach Jason Apilado. “Man, looking at the three high schools with their defensive units and even their offense, it’s going to be a tough fight (this season). It’s anybody’s ball game at this point.”
“It went well,” Apilado continued. “Everybody played hard, fast and safe. We had a few — as expected in football — a couple of collisions but nobody’s hurt, which is great. I think overall, today benefited every team to see what everybody’s got. I know everybody’s hiding stuff, but that’s fine. That’s gamesmanship. That’s how it goes. But all in all, very happy with how today went.”
Dozens of spectators supporting the three schools were in attendance, watching the scrimmages on the Red Raiders’ practice field.
For Apilado, the upcoming season will be his first as head coach for Kauai High after previously coaching at the youth level.
“I’m just in awe. It’s amazing, now that I’m at the high school level, how fast these kids are,” Apilado said. “Basically, it’s (about) fine-tuning the kids and the training they have to go to — footwork, handwork, hand-eye coordination, everything under the sun. It’s just, watching the other teams and watching my own team, it amazes me how fast the game is. I’m loving. The adrenaline level is up. We’re game. We’re ready to go.”
For Kapaa head coach Philip Rapozo, the scrimmages were more about camaraderie among Kauai’s teams rather than full-on competition.
“Fun. It’s actually more about fellowship with the other two schools than anything else,” Rapozo said. “We don’t try to take it to that level. Yeah, they want to win, of course. But I think it’s more about respect, just getting together and having some fun.”
Based on what was shown Saturday, Rapozo also said the upcoming regular season should be quite tough.
“I think the fans of Kauai are going to be in for one heck of a football season,” he said. “It’s going to be amazing for everybody. I think it’s going to be drag-out football. Like last year, you don’t know who’s going to be on top. I think all three teams are good. It’s going to be fun.”
Waimea High School head coach Jason Caldeira also said things weren’t taken too seriously during the scrimmages.
“Today, we’re just trying to have a little fun out there — a little friendly competition,” Caldeira said. “Both schools looked good. I though we got some work to do. So, we’ll just go back and get ready for the season.”
The football preseason is expected to start in early August, and the Kauai Interscholastic Federation football season is expected to begin in late August. Schedules have not been released yet.
At this point in time, right before preseason starts, Caldeira said he’s focused on the essentials.
“Just fundamentals and know the basics on offense and defense,” he said. “Understanding the situation of games, and stuff like that. The basics.”
•••
Nick Celario, sports writer, can be reached at 245-0437 or ncelario@thegardenisland.com.
