McKinley will show up on Saturday like it always does, lining up against Waianae and hoping for a miracle.
It is not as far-fetched a thought as it would appear, a lot of football depends on how the ball bounces.
The Seariders have lost to the Tigers only once since 1973, going 10-1, but that one loss might be a clue on how to accomplish the impossible.
McKinley ended Waianae’s season in shocking fashion way back in 2002 by a lopsided score of 35-0. The Tigers got 197 yards passing and four touchdowns from quarterback Abel Werner, but their leading rusher, Michael Vasconcellos, gained only 67 yards on 16 carries.
What did make the difference was something that any team can get on any given night — turnovers.
Waianae quarterbacks threw five interceptions that led to 20 points in just three minutes, including a 65-yard pick-six by Daniel Desoto.
This year’s edition of the Tigers has no names like Werner, Vasconcellos, Desoto or Elliott Twiggs, but we really don’t know what Elyjah-Dane Badua and Nino Mitchell are capable of if they get a few breaks and 20 points of momentum.
One thing is sure, they haven’t caught a break yet this year. The Tigers are 0-4 and have been outscored 237-16. Their only two touchdowns came against Mililani’s reserves.
McKinley has not won a game since Oct. 11, 2013. That’s 12 losses in a row, none of them finishing within two touchdowns. That matches the longest streak since 1991-92, the school record for consecutive winless games in 15 from 1998-1990.
But one positive is that like in those dark days that eventually led to a turnaround, McKinley shows up each week ready to play.
McKinley keeps showing up and giving its best effort against the OIA powers, it forfeited its game against Mililani last year because of lack of numbers.
but the band always sounds good
I like how this reporter for this article uses the past to report on the present. Stick to the facts of this year and try giving credit to where credit is due. No disrespect to McKinley, but what is their record? Imua team Waiʻanae!
“McKinley has not won a game since Oct. 11, 2003. That’s 12 losses in a row, none of them finishing within two touchdowns.”
That doesn’t sound right, so you’re telling me in 12 years they had one game a year all of which they lost. I think you mean Oct. 11, 2013* buddy. Way to rub salt in the wound.
That’s true, WaWa, thanks for the correction.
Among the names mentioned, the post high school accomplishments of Elliot Twiggs is probably a great feature story and a lesson of perseverance, confidence and hope. He is now a medical doctor doing residency.