Spring Football In May For Anxious Mules

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Leilehua football coach Nolan Tokuda is counting the days to spring practice on May 23.

Hopes are high for the Mules, who finished 7-4 last season, and who battled eventual state champion Kahuku to a standstill in a 13-7 loss in the OIA semifinals. This year’s team will include junior and senior classes that captured OIA titles at the junior varsity level.

“Our JV team put the pressure on me,” joked Tokuda.“I’ve got to win now, too.

“They’re a real team-oriented group,“he added.“The reason that they’ve won is that they’ve stayed together (as a group).”

The Mules have been in weight training and conditioning since winter, but will be able to suit up in full equipment for five of the 10 spring practice sessions. The Green and Gold spring game is June 6.

“At Leilehua, we don’t call it ‘off-season,’ we call it early-season training because of the interest in football in our community. The work-outs have gone really well.The work ethic and attitude has been great.”

Among the priorities will be to select a quarterback after the loss of three-year starter Bryant Moniz who graduated. Two juniors, Kaipo DeRego and Kaipo Ke-a, are vying for starter.

The program will hold a barbecue chicken fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 28 at Dole Plantation. Price for each whole chicken is $8.