• Bringing the best out of our athletes. • Something’s missing • Great grinds Bringing the best out of our athletes. By Duane Shimogawa – The Garden Island For some time now, there’s been a selfless individual at Pop Warner
• Bringing the best out of our athletes.
• Something’s missing
• Great grinds
Bringing the best out of our athletes.
By Duane Shimogawa – The Garden Island
For some time now, there’s been a selfless individual at Pop Warner football games and no he/she isn’t the person who gives away the tasty, “stick to your ribs” plate lunches at the games, instead Zach Octavio displays great love for his job and for Kaua‘i’s youth at the Pop Warner games. A staple at the games, as rice is on everyone’s table at dinner time on Kaua‘i, Octavio has been the EMT for 20 years and counting.
What makes Octavio so special and unique is the fact that he volunteers his weekends just for the sake of the kids on the field.
Not a lot of individuals would give up precious time on the weekends for any reason, but for Octavio, it’s not about losing time, it’s about gaining something: Keeping our youth football players on the field playing, by giving them the required treatment.
Helping the players who have been injured on the field is a tough job and Octavio has mastered the craft.
Zach has been on the job so long, he’s watched his own son, Colby go through the Pop Warner ranks and high school, to coaching a Pop Warner squad in 2004.
Another individual that displays great enthusiasm and love for our youth players is Ben Bregman.
The “tell it like it is” football official doesn’t come out on Saturday’s for the pay, instead he’s out there enjoying every bit of the action as you are in the stands.
Staying with the officials subject, what ever happened to the officials calling out the infractions on the loud speaker.
I think this aspect needs to be reinstated because it definitely adds to the games.
Something’s missing
Another thing missing at the games, especially at the KIF football matches are mascots.
I was just talking with The Garden Island’s feature writer, Kendyce Manguchei about that issue and I would enjoy the sight of a huge Eagle representing the Red Raiders, battling a Menehune and a Warrior on the sidelines.
UH’s Vili the Warrior has added a lot to the football games, so why not at the prep level as well?
I had a good buddy in college who was Wellington the Wildcat at Central Washington University.
Not only was he one of the most sought after characters at the games, he was also a babysitter, as a heavy contingent of kids would follow him around and pull on his tail
Imagine your kid tugging on a Menehune’s leg, following the Warrior around, or watching the Red Raider (Eagle) help conduct the Kaua‘i High School band along with Larry “Legend” McIntosh.
Great grinds
There’s an array of great food items at the KIF football games, but I do have to give Kathy Carveiro credit for continuing to bring the tastiest “snacks.” Carveiro usually brings a hefty load of her secret coffee mixture that usually gets you as warm as a couple of blankets and a pair of socks during the winter months on Kaua‘i.
Carveiro made her famous guacamole on Friday, to go with her killer brownies that would make a diabetic cry.
So the next time you’re at a KIF football game that Kathy is at, make sure and stop by the media booth to taste the latest “can’t miss” snack; trust me, you won’t be disappointed, except maybe your scale.
Duane Shimogawa, Sports Editor can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 257) and kauaisports@pulitzer.net
