QB Mundon, coaching staff are reasons why The lasting image is of quarterback Dustin Mundon, steady eyes pointed at his own sideline as he headed toward the Kapa’a coaching staff. The Warriors’ signal-caller had just tossed a pin-pointed fade into
QB Mundon, coaching staff are reasons why
The lasting image is of
quarterback Dustin Mundon, steady eyes pointed at his own sideline as he headed
toward the Kapa’a coaching staff.
The Warriors’ signal-caller had just
tossed a pin-pointed fade into the outstretched arms of senior Kalani Miyashiro
to record the first points of the KIF season against Waimea.
But most
striking was Mundon’s gait and those eyes. There was no exaltation from the
sophomore; no touchdown dance or taunting. Rather, there was a simple aura of
confidence and assurance. Mundon’s certainty that he will visit the end zone at
the Menehunes’ expense another time or two in the years to come was quite
clear.
True, Waimea won Friday night’s game 20-7, upping its overall record
to 7-0, and its KIF mark to 5-0 while sealing its ninth consecutive league
crown. But the Warriors, led by Mundon, showed no fear, showed that football on
Kaua’i could be quite interesting in the next year or two.
The fact is,
though Waimea will again be loaded with talent in 2001, Kapa’a, assuming all of
its players are healthy and eligible, will be a true threat. Mundon will be a
refined junior with three games against Waimea under his belt. Tailback Dahson
Gonzales, who led the Warriors with 61 yards on 18 carries Friday night, should
be a strong, focused senior. And many of the Kapa’a linemen also are scheduled
to return.
What the Warriors lose, however, will not be easy to replace.
Miyashiro’s departure will register as the most decisive casualty. The
co-captain has been an all-around asset for Kapa’a and head coach Gordon
Muramaru. Friday he caught seven balls for 57 yards and ran for 24 more. The
biggest hole he stands to leave, however, is on defense, where the linebacker
has been chewing up opponents all season.
But there’s something special
about Mundon, who has amassed 304 yards on 34 completions this year.
Some
level of poise and unflappability that obviously instills confidence in players
and coaches, and gives fans the sense that, though the boy can’t drive, he can
lead a football team. When he mishandles the center snap, and watches another
loose ball turn into a turnover, nobody yells, and his confidence certainly
does not waver. Rather, he just paces back to the sideline, gets some
instruction and awaits another crack at the defense.
At the beginning of
the season, Muramaru told me the Mundon name is one rich in athletic history on
this island, that “Dustin hails from a good bloodline and will be fine.” The
more you watch him, the more you understand.
Kapa’a’s first game against
Waimea, a 37-0 loss on September 8, looked like a mismatch, and made it seem as
though the rest of the KIF schedule might just as well be trashed. But the
Warriors jelled, and on September 29, they pushed Waimea, despite falling 14-0
in the end. Friday night, the better team was not clear cut. The Warriors
penetrated the Menehunes’ defense, showed that an effective passing team can
experience success against a unit that has yielded just 20 points all season.
And, more importantly, that it can happen right here in the KIF.
Many of
the Warriors did raise a well-deserved ruckus after the Friday night touchdown.
There was cheering and towel waving, moonwalking and butt-slapping. The joy was
evident, and despite losing its scoreless streak, may even have served the
Menehunes well. It fired them up, and surely will plant a seed of recharge as
Waimea begins thinking about the state playoffs scheduled for mid-November.
And so perhaps Kapa’a’s touchdown was good for the island, for what it may
do for the team from the west side, and what it certainly will do for the team
from the northeast.
There will be more of them for Mundon and company next
season. Though you’ll never know by looking at him.
