LIHU‘E — Kekoa Crowell, who finished the 2003-04 season at the helm of the KIF champion Red Raiders, was back on the gridiron Friday night as a large crowd of supporters and football fans converged for the annual Red-and-White game.
LIHU‘E — Kekoa Crowell, who finished the 2003-04 season at the helm of the KIF champion Red Raiders, was back on the gridiron Friday night as a large crowd of supporters and football fans converged for the annual Red-and-White game.
Crowell again showed his prowess in the QB slot, but this time was joined by Kaulana Lemke who took the slot for the White team.
Stanton Yoshimori, who had just switched from his baseball uniform to the Red outfit, also got an opportunity to call the signals.
Lemke, who saw game time during the Kaua‘i appearance at the state championships earlier in the year, piloted an 85-yard scoring hit for the White, connecting with Bryson Semana in the third quarter to keep their edge.
Playing in a 15-play format similar to that done by the Kapa‘a Warriors last week, the Red Raiders did not place emphasis on the individual play points, but instead concentrated on seeing what individual players could do on both sides of the ball.
Game format also forewent the usual kickoff, the fourth down punts, and post-TD kicks.
Brian Rodrigues wowed the crowd, breaking out several times in the night, once for a White TD.
“He’s really small,” one spectator noted as he left at the half. “But, he ran 85 yards for a TD! You should’ve seen him go.”
Joining Rodrigues on the ground were Allan Satta, Justin Perreira, as well as Kevin Cadiente, who was on the receiving end of a Crowell pass in the third period to put the Red right on the heels of the White.
Jett Jasper, a receiver from last year’s JV program, also got to get his hands on a Crowell pass, the third quarter play good for 11 yards. Brendan Young, a Lihu‘e Patriot from the championship Midget program, also got to snag a few Crowell throws.
Lance Okasaki is back from the KIF championship program and got to snag a few aerials as did Matthew Buza who was instantly smothered by Red defenders.
The scrimmage provided more than just a workout for the football program’s players and coaches as a large number of cheer squad hopefuls also turned out, their numbers large enough to create a contingent of Red and Black squads. Kaua‘i High School is the current two-time KIF champion in the cheer program.
For those who got to the stadium early, there was a bowl of chili that accompanied the admission ticket, that hearty Radisson-helped dish made more appetizing by the stadium narration provided by Bruce Sakimae with Tom Shigemoto doing the spotting.
And, for those who came late – the food booth was closed, and there were no programs.
