Falcons Bolster Defense After Losses, Aim To Score
By Jack Danilewicz
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As the Kalani football team readies itself for Saturday’s game with Oahu Interscholastic Association White Conference rival Waialua (6:30 p.m. at Kaiser Stadium), the Falcons’ greater chore is to finish - scoring drives, that is.
“We’re working on it - we’re starting to move the ball a little better, but scoring has been elusive,” admitted Kalani coach Glenn Oshiro, whose team opened the season with shut-out losses to Roosevelt and Anuenue. “From the 20 (yard line) to the 20, we’ve moved the ball. We’ve had our opportunities. It will come, and once it happens, we think we’ll begin to come around a little faster. As a unit, they’re playing a better brand of football.”
Despite a pair of tough losses to begin 2007, Oshiro remains upbeat, with an eye on the long term. The Falcons have fielded a junior varsity team this fall for the first time in years, a move that should go a long way in the varsity program’s development.
For inspiration, the Falcons need only look at Saturday’s opponent - Waialua. Like Kalani, Waialua has traditionally been forced to play with small rosters, but the Bulldogs were the surprise team in the league last season when they broke through with a 6-3 record and a playoff appearance. The year before, the Bulldogs had come within a coin flip of making the post-season, after tying with three other schools for the league’s last berth.
While the Bulldogs are back in the rebuilding phase this season, having graduated several key players, Oshiro still consider them a dangerous team.“They’ve always been very good at the skilled positions, and that’s a concern,” he said. “They can run and pass, and they’re proficient at both. Hopefully, we’ll raise our level of play. Our focus is on controlling the ball. We don’t want to leave our defense on the field too long.”
Last year Waialua emphasized the pass with then-senior quarterback Caleb Fore running the show. This year, the Bulldogs have become more run-oriented. To fill the void left by Fore’s departure, Waialua coach Lincoln Barit had shifted running back Donovan Matas to behind center during spring practice only to move him back to his more natural position last week. Matas was the league’s fourth leading ground gainer in 2006.
“Moving Donovan back there gives us a running game,” Barit said. “He’s been clocked at 4.4 in the forty, so he has the speed. His running should help to open up our passing game.”
Senior Shane Tyler will likely be behind center for Waialua Saturday night. After getting off to a slow start in fall camp and missing Waialua’s summer football workouts because of scheduling conflicts with baseball, Tyler has made strides in the last few weeks, according to Barit.
“He’s a good passer; he can throw the ball, ” he said. “It’s a matter of getting him to read defenses better. We’re trying to teach him.”
For their part, the Falcon defense has played better than the numbers would indicate, in Oshiro’s view.
“We’ve focused a lot on it,” he said of the defense. “They’ve been working hard, and we’re starting to see positive changes. In games, they’ve been coming out a little more aggressive and playing more physical. They’re gaining knowledge, and that’s helping them to gain more confidence in themselves and in each other.”
Falcon Notes: The Most Valuable Player behind the scenes for the Falcons so far in 2007? Coach Oshiro’s girlfriend.“I want to thank her for her understanding and support,” he said ... Kalani still has regular-season road games remaining with Nanakuli Sept. 22, Waipahu Sept. 29 and Kaiser Oct. 12. The Falcons’ homecoming game is Oct. 20, when the Falcons host Kaimuki at Kaiser Stadium.
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