Golden week for Nanakuli
He’s only a junior, but Chazz Troutman knows what a stunning 28-21 win over Kaiser in the OIA White football playoffs means to the Nanakuli community.
"This means a lot. A lot, a lot," said Troutman, who threw two touchdown passes and snuck in for another.
Part of his contribution, though, came off the field. His game-winning touchdown pass to Joseph Shelton came just a few minutes after Shelton missed a potential game-tying PAT kick.
"I tried to keep him up. I tried to tell him one kick isn’t going to be the end," Troutman said.
Coach Skippy Lopes couldn’t help but wonder about his team’s fortune this year. The Golden Hawks lost at home to Kaiser a month earlier, 47-14. But this time, Kaiser was set back by key injuries to Kai Gonda (back spasms) and defensive tackle/fullback Manase Palu (knee).
"I found out Gonda wasn’t playing the second half and maybe that’s what helped us out. My team, I have a Jekyll-and-Hyde team. This time, it was a total great team effort," Lopes said.
He recalled a fumble by Troutman on the play before the winning TD. Troutman pulled the ball back into possession before Kaiser could recover.
"When it’s your turn," Lopes said, "the ball bounces in your hands."
Higa named AD at King Kekaulike
P.K. Higa, a former head football coach and assistant athletic director, is the new athletic director at King Kekaulike.
He replaces Kurtis Saiki, who retired. Higa had been interim AD since Saiki’s retirement.
The MIL has new ADs at Molokai (Hoku Haliniak) and Maui Prep (Kawika Casco), as well as an interim AD at Kamehameha-Maui. Kanani Souza has filled in since Kurt Ginoza resigned in September.
Another tough week for Ka‘u
With a 78-0 loss to Honokaa, the Ka‘u football team has taken two tough losses in a row.
After last week’s 91-8 loss to Konawaena, some critics across Hawaii island — including Kealakehe coach Sam Papalii and Kamehameha-Hawaii AD Kimo Weaver — accused the Wildcats of running up the score. But with the latest loss to another small school, Konawaena supporters insist there was no desire to embarrass the Trojans.
