Waimea, Kauai football
players break rules,
dismissed from team
The Waimea and Kauai football teams are the latest to lose some players for breaking team rules.
Three Menehunes were suspended from school and dismissed from the football team last Friday, according to coach Liko Pereira and athletic director Jim Kitamura.
The infractions occurred on the same day as the Menehunes' important game against the Red Raiders, which they eventually lost 26-12.
Pereira said one player was a starter and the other two were potential starters.
"If you break the rules, you're gone," said Kitamura, who added that he couldn't divulge the reason for the disciplinary actions.
"Those three guys made mistakes," Pereira said, "but they're going to be better people for it in their lives. They know it's not the end of the world. They knew it was a bad decision and they handled it as well as can be expected."
Kauai High coach Kelii Morgado said he dismissed two players, one within the past week and another two weeks ago, for team infractions. Neither were starters, and he declined further comment.
Two weeks ago, Punahou suspended about a dozen players for breaking team rules. School officials won't comment on the players' status, but it is believed that some or all have returned to the squad.
During boys basketball season last winter, Waiakea players violated rules, sat out some games and returned to the team, which eventually made it into the state tournament.
KIF heat is on: Waimea (3-1, 1-1) has won every KIF football title since 1992 and that streak is in jeopardy after the loss to Kauai last week.
Pereira, who took over for Jon Kobayashi as the Menehunes' head coach, understands the importance of every game coming up, starting in two weeks against Kapaa.
They play the Red Raiders (2-2, 2-0) twice more -- Oct. 10 at Hanapepe Stadium and Oct. 31 at Vidinha Stadium.
"We had some rough times over the weekend," Pereira said. "Kauai High School played a great game. Their whole coaching staff really outcoached us and the players outplayed us. We need to tighten up and execute."
The Menehunes were without injured senior two-way standout Jordon Dizon.
"Our players were shocked," Pereira continued. "But we called a practice Saturday and everybody was there. This thing isn't over, yet."
Just because Waimea has won the title 11 years in a row doesn't mean all of those championships were easy. League races between the Menehunes and Red Raiders went down to the wire in 1992, '94 and '97, and somehow Waimea found a way to take it at the end each time. The league needed a playoff game to determine the winner in both '92 and '97.
The last time Kauai won the championship was in '91, (a season that was also decided in a playoff) when current Waimea principal Bill Arakaki was the Red Raiders' head coach.
Arakaki's son, slotback and cornerback Justin Arakaki, is one of Kauai's team leaders this year.
"On both sides of the ball, he's our most dominant force," Morgado said. "On defense, they rarely run or throw to his side, so his presence alone cuts the field in half. On offense, he's always finding a window to get open and he's a great downfield blocker."
Quarterback Kekoa Crowell, two-way lineman Aren Racca and possession receiver Garen Itamura were major contributors in the victory over Waimea, according to the coach.
Owls on football map: Mid-Pacific Institute has two Intermediate Division football wins, a 39-12 victory over Iolani last weekend and a 36-26 nonleague win over Damien two weeks ago.
Eventually, the Owls intend to add a varsity squad.
A year ago, many of the Mid-Pacific players were part of the Pac-Five intermediate team, which no longer exists.
If Mid-Pacific develops a varsity team, it will affect the Pac-Five program, which holds practice at the MPI campus and draws Mid-Pacific players as well as players from many small Interscholastic League of Honolulu teams.
Two break into rankings: Kamehameha (4-0, 2-0 ILH) and Kahuku (4-0, 3-0 OIA Red East) broke into the Tony Poll's West Region rankings this week.
The Warriors are No. 5 and the Red Raiders are No. 9.
Defending state and ILH champion Saint Louis (1-1, 0-1) dropped out of the regional rankings after climbing to No. 7.
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Athletes of the Week
Boys
>> David Pershin, Kalaheo football: Completed 13 of 16 passes for 235 yards and six touchdowns in a victory over Kalani.
Girls
>> Tia Ferguson, Seabury Hall cross country: Was the top Hawaii girls finisher, taking second to Ukiah (Wash.) runner Shelby Leland at the Iolani Invitational.
Honor Roll
Football
>> Isaac Laupola, Campbell: Caught six passes for 101 yards in a loss to Mililani.
>> Kekoa Crowell and Weston Victorino, Kauai: Crowell passed for 265 yards and Victorino rushed for 112 in an upset victory over Waimea.
>> Daniel Libre, Hilo: Scored three TDs in a win over Honokaa.
>> Jacobe Akiu, Kalaheo: Ran for 287 yards and scored four TDs in a win over Kalani.
>> Ethan Gonsalves, Castle: Caught a late touchdown pass, kicked field goals of 24 and 45 yards and booted four extra points in a win over rival Kailua.
>> Kelroy Kohatsu, Kailua: Passed for 200 yards and three TDs in a loss to Castle.
>> Abel Werner, McKinley: Passed for 337 yards in a loss to Farrington.
>> Matt Bell, Farrington: Piled up 174 rushing and receiving yards in a victory over McKinley.
>> Sy Cullen, Kamehameha: Rushed for 126 yards and scored twice in a win over Punahou.
>> John Morris, Punahou: Threw for 250 yards in a loss to Kamehameha.
Bowling
>> Kristin Tom, Sacred Hearts: Rolled a high game of 213 and a high series of 603 in a win over St. Andrew's.
>> William Hancock, Radford: Bowled a high game of 278 in a win over Leilehua.
>> Brett Tatsuno, Mililani: Bowled a high series of 666 in a win over Pearl City.
>> Christie Johnson, Leilehua: Bowled a high game of 222 in a loss to Radford.
>> Shehan Sagucio, Waipahu: Rolled a high series of 599 in a loss to Aiea.
>> Carter White, Mid-Pacific: Bowled a high game of 225 in a win over Assets.
>> Colby Benito, Kamehameha: Bowled a high series of 593 in a win over Saint Louis.
Volleyball
>> Brandi Higa, Hawaii Baptist: Had 10 kills, 24 digs and 26 assists in two wins.
>> Shannon Kim, University: Had 39 assists and 22 digs in two matches.
Cross Country
>> Kainoa Guerin, Baldwin: Finished 11th and was the only Hawaii runner to crack the boys top 25 at the Iolani Invitational.
Air riflery
>> Ryan Naka, Kalani: Led the Falcons over Kahuku with a high score of 247.
>> Chandell Dacoslos, Castle: Notched a high score of 234 in a loss to Kaimuki.
Hawaii School Web Sites
