In four 12-minute quarters, Waimea’s dreams were realized. They beat third-seed Castle 41-20 and were awarded a trip to Oahu to play under the lights of Aloha Stadium. Now, the Menehunes need to close their eyes and dream some more.
In four 12-minute quarters, Waimea’s dreams were realized.
They beat third-seed Castle 41-20 and were awarded a trip to Oahu to play under the lights of Aloha Stadium.
Now, the Menehunes need to close their eyes and dream some more.
They face Kahuku, Friday night, and it’s not going to be a walk in Hanapepe Park.
Kahuku is no joke. The team is bigger than Waimea in numbers and size-much like Castle, but two times the meat. Waimea suits 26, Kahuku lists 100 players on its roster. Waimea players range anywhere from 140 to 230 pounds. Kahuku’s guys range from 140 to 395 (seven break the 300 lb. barrier). Waimea is the 8-1 champion of the KIF. Kahuku is 10-0 and champion of a more demanding OIA conference. Waimea was expected to finish last. Kahuku is expected to win it all. Waimea thirsts for its first semifinal victory since anyone can remember. Kahuku thirsts for a rematch against St. Louis at Aloha Stadium.
Kahuku recently demolished Lahainaluna, 57-14 under the leadership of quarterback Inoke Funaki, who is coming off his finest performance, passing for a personal season-high 307 yards. He will be much like Castle quarterback Joel Botehlo, except he is playing better than ever and has led his team to ten rather uncontested wins.
Everyone knows what Waimea has to do to keep up with Kahuku.
First, control the clock-keep the ball in Adrian Agan’s hands. Castle had an explosive offense and a dynamic quarterback in Joel Botehlo.
Well, Kahuku is even more explosive with Funaki. Against the Knights, Waimea was able to keep possession of the ball for most of the game. They attained crucial first downs with short, but tough runs from Brandon Malama and Chelsey Barba. This, in turn, opened opportunities for guys like Timmy Chang Wo and Jordan Dizon to break out for big, 50-yard runs.
Like any sport, a team’s offense depends solely on the efficiency of its defense.
Last week, Waimea gave up big plays in their secondary, and will have to tighten these gaps in order to stifle Kahuku’s Funaki. Forcing Kahuku to run will also heighten their chances at forcing turnovers, which proved to be the ultimate deathknell for Castle.
An upset here will be the greatest in HHSAA football history. If Waimea can play the way they did last week, an upset is possible.
Kill the clock, play tough defense and execute flawless football. Engaging these three concepts may give Waimea a chance to do what it failed to do in 1999: make it to the final Championship game.
