Kapolei Takes On Coach Hernandez’s Former Saber Team
By Jack Danilewicz
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Del.icio.usDarren Hernandez stopped short of singling out this week as rivalry week - even with neighboring Campbell as his Hurricanes’next opponent.
“Every game we play is a rivalry game for our opponents,” Hernandez said.“It’s something you live with when you’re a new program. The other teams don’t want to lose to a new school. There’s a feeling whenever we play that there’s a bulls-eye on us. It can’t be me, since I’m such a nice guy.”
In a sense, this week is about the Kapolei coach - at least in the days leading up to Saturday’s 3 p.m. kickoff at Campbell. From ‘92 to ‘99 Hernandez was Campbell’s head coach, and he played for the Sabers during his own high school days.
“There’s some feelings there,“he admitted.“I have a lot of fond memories of my time there, and there are a lot of people still there that helped me. This will be the first time I’ve ever been on the visiting sideline in that stadium, so that will be a little different.”
From a fan’s perspective, there might not be a better matchup in the state than Saturday night’s contest. Last year, the game more than lived up to its billing, with Kapolei holding off the Sabers 33-27. Hernandez would gladly take another high-scoring affair, which would seem to favor the Hurricanes.
Indeed, when it comes to possessing the ball, Campbell has always been a handful for its opponents with its Wing-T offense.
“They have a great scheme on both sides of the ball,” Hernandez said. “Their game plan is to wear you down, make first downs, and play keep away. It really is a precision offense, and with all the deception and mis-direction plays - a total team concept.”
More than perhaps any other team in the state, the Sabers have had their share of adversity. Their Aug. 18 game with Roosevelt was canceled when it was discovered on the night of the game that copper thieves had rendered Campbell’s stadium lights inoperable. The following week, a much-publicized melee broke out at the end of Campbell’s game with Aiea, prompting the Oahu Interscholastic Association to force both schools to forfeit their next league game.
When able to play,the Sabers have looked like contenders, as evidenced by their 21-21 tie with ILH member Kamehameha Sept. 1. The Sabers had trailed Aiea only 33-26 in the game’s final minute of their OIA Red West opener and figured to get the ball back when that contest was called off.
Campbell also boasts one of the league’s most exciting players in sophomore running back Samson Anguay, who had scored all seven of Campbell’s touchdowns heading into last weekend. Against Kamehameha, he ran for a pair of scores (covering 90 and 15 yards) and caught a 70-yard touchdown pass from Sabers quarterback Kevin Newcomb. He was equally impressive against Aiea, accounting for 212 yards and four touch-downs, including a 50-yard punt return.
With that in mind, Hernandez sees the matchup between Kapolei’s defensive line and Campbell’s offensive line as “a big key” to the outcome.
Kapolei, which plays a three-man front, is deep in its defensive line with Chad Lopati, Othaniel Maiava, Trent Nakata, Paul Belford, Victor Faavae and Bryson Guerrero all sharing time.
“It helps that we can bring in fresh bodies and not have a drop-off (in ability). I really like the way they’re progressing in the defensive line, especially against running teams. We’re built more for the run.”
The Hurricanes counter with an offense led by senior quarterback Mason Koa, one of the state’s most capable at his position. He completed 65 percent of his passes as a junior and was the Hurricanes’ second leading rusher, averaging 7 yards per carry.
“His best attribute is that he does-n’t get flustered - he’s calm and poised under pressure,“Hernandez said. “He manages the game well, and he’s so athletic he can do a lot of different things.”
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