It was a close encounter, and just a controlled scrimmage, but the Kamehameha and Farrington football teams finally got to put the pads on and see what it’s like to really compete for the first time this season on Thursday.
No score was kept, and, unofficially, Kamehameha scored three TDs to Farrington’s two, but that statistic is beside the point.
The contest represented the de facto battle of Kalihi. The two schools are 1.2 miles apart and many players know each other well. They ate a potluck dinner together afterward at Kamehameha’s Kunuiakea Stadium.
Both teams are considered contenders to compete for league and state championships.
“It’s always good to play somebody else,” Farrington coach Randall Okimoto said afterward. “You can kind of get complacent going against the same guys (teammates in practice) all the time. And Kamehameha is a quality opponent.”
Okimoto was glad to see that there was not much difference between his first and second defensive units.
Two of the three Farrington quarterbacks battling for a starting position threw one touchown pass each. Senior Joziah Anakalea connected with Tanu Tautolo for one score, while Kaiser transfer Justin Uahinui hit Kingston Moses-Sanchez for the other.
One of Kamehameha’s touchdowns came on a pass from quarterback Justice Young to Sheldon Rosa.
Warriors coach Doug Cosbie was highly impressed with the play of interior defensive linemen Nakoa Pauole and Akamu Makua and linebackers Tainoa Foster and Wesley Faagau. Alema Kapoi, a team leader and starter on the defensive line, was held out with a minor injury.
Offensively, Cosbie said quarterback Fatu Sua-Godinet and wide receiver Kumoku Noa turned in solid performances. Noa is the brother of former Punahou star receiver Kanawai Noa, who will play for Cal this fall.
“All in all, it was pretty good,” Cosbie said about the team in the scrimmage that gave each offense 10 plays before the ball was given to the opponents’ offense.”We got to see some of our young guys play real football and we will still be filling some spots.”
Kamehameha visits Mililani for a 7 p.m. scrimmage Saturday and then faces Waianae in a nonlegaue game on Aug. 7.
The Govs travel to Punahou for a 9:30 a.m. scrimmage Saturday and have the following weekend off. They open their regular season on Aug. 15 at Aloha Stadium against Waipahu.
Maybe only in hawaii..pot luck is so important gor family n friends… so nice to see that…
The first post said that Rapoza scored a touchdown and now the story changed?