Kapolei Vs. Punahou Game Ignites Friendly Family Rivalry
By Jack Danilewicz
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Del.icio.usWhile managing Friday’s game versus Punahou at 7 p.m. at Aloha Stadium, expect Kapolei head football coach Darren Hernandez to sneak a few well-timed peeks at the Buffanblu running back wearing No. 10. That would be his son Zach, who hopes to make a big impact in the game.
“There’s been some fun trash talking going back and forth,” admitted Hernandez, who led Kapolei to a 5-4 season in 2009. “Lately he’s been coming around when I’m on the computer, looking over my shoulder and asking me what I’m working on. I usually minimize the screen and say, ‘Never mind.’ He’s trying to keep the secrets of Punahou, and I’m trying to keep the secrets of Kapolei. He keeps that playbook under wraps.”
Also a standout wrestler, Zach is well-schooled in Hurricane football. His education began at a young age after all, but Hernandez thinks that not coaching his son in high school is a positive for their relationship, even though the Kapolei program has blossomed steadily in recent years.
“Not coaching him has been a blessing,” he said. “I think it would cause stress in the home. This way I’m not a helicopter father, over-reaching, micro-managing, or constantly being on him. He loves to play, and I can enjoy him more this way.”
While part of different programs now, the pair still watch film of Zach together sometimes - but not this week.
Zach added about 28 pounds of bulk during the off-season and is poised for a solid junior season. “If he wants, I’ll break his film down for him, but he knows I’ll be brutally honest with him, and he’s O.K. with that,” Hernandez said. “It will be a strange experience to play them. My whole family will be there sitting in the Punahou section cheering for him, so for one night, I’ll be sort of persona non grata in the family.”
Hernandez found a lone dissenting voice in daughter Zoe, a Punahou freshman who has professed her loyalty for Friday night. “She said she’d sit on the Kapolei side and cheer for dad.”
For his team’s part, playing Punahou in week one is a tough assignment, given the Hurricanes’ young lineup. The veteran coach was hoping a demanding preseason slate would help bring Kapolei up to the speed they’ll have to play at Friday.
Kapolei had full scrimmages - special teams play, included - versus OIA East Red powers Kahuku and Castle, and was expecting a physical battle with Pearl City in a preseason game last weekend.
“That’s a quick way to figure out what we’re made of,” he said. “We’re young, but we do feel like our youth will help us in the long run. As the season progresses, they’ll get experience.”
Among those having monster preseasons is fullback Keaka Fernandez, who rushed for 110 and 143 yards, respectively, in the scrimmages with Kahuku and Castle.
“He was tremendous,” Hernandez said.
The Hurricane Nation also will get its first glimpse of quarterbacks Trey Kamachi and Keaka Napuelua Ah Yee, whom Hernandez refers to as his “two-headed monster.”
Napuelua Ah Yee is a senior, while Kamachi is a relative newcomer as a junior. He was the starter for the JV last season, his first year playing the sport. Both bring a different feel to the offense, in their coach’s view.
“Keaka has more of a grasp of the offense. He’s more of a leader-type, a game manager who makes good decisions. Trey is more of an explosive athlete who can run it and throw it a ton. It’s the nuances of the offense he needs to polish up, but he has all of the intangibles to be a first-rate quarterback.”
Friday’s game with Punahou is part of a doubleheader with Saint Louis meeting Waianae at 4 p.m. in the other contest.
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