Kauai Red Raiders

Head coach: Jason Apilado (3rd season)
Offensive coordinator: Derek Borrero
Defensive coordinator: Kaulana Wa'alani Arroyo

Players to watch: QB Andrew Passi (6-0, 190, Sr.), WR Haka Bukoski (5-10, 175, Sr.), DL Kaomea Inouye (5-11, 225, Sr.), WR Nakoa Andrade (5-8, 135, Sr.), MLB Hekili Dizol (5-11, 185, Jr.)

Coach's words: "Our last season pre-COVID, we had one preseason win and lost every (regular) season game. With a renewed spirit and hunger to play, our players have been working very hard since our recent return to campus. It's going to be an interesting season between our three schools. I'd say we are the underdogs this year, but it's OK. We are poised and ready to do some great things on the field. We're super excited to get back at it." - Jason Apilado

SL's take: The Red Raiders' lone win of 2019 that Apilado was referencing was a 7-0 victory over Kalaheo - a team that went on to finish 0-10. Still, it was a bright spot nonetheless and Passi - the only player remaining who was on that Kauai team two years ago - had his best game of the season; He competed 11 of his 18 pass attempts for 132 yards without an interception. Passi's 7-yard TD pass in the second quarter was the game's only score. The now-senior will be tasked with full-time starting QB duties this fall (he split reps as a sophomore) for a team looking for its first win over a KIF opponent since Oct. 13, 2018. Passi will have lots of help from the receiving corps with Bukoski, Andrade and WR Austin Renauld (5-8, 170, Jr.) all expected to contribute. Inouye is the leader of the DL, but the strength of the defense is the linebacking corps, led by Manintin and MLB Hekili Dizol (5-11, 185, Jr.). Mareyon Cromartie, a 5-foot-11 senior, will be pivotal in the secondary from his FS position. Kauai's offense was dismal in 2019, when it averaged only 8.5 points per game, but the defense certainly has room for improvement as well, having allowed 92 points in its last two games that year, a 51-0 shellacking at the hands of Kapaa and a 41-13 trouncing by Waimea. There is talent, to be sure, at the skill positions, but also a dearth of experience on the OL and DL. The Red Raiders, whose last KIF championship came in 2017, would do well to finish with an even record of 3-3 in 2021.

SCHEDULE

Sat Oct 23	Waimea	at Vidinha Stadium	L, 30-13
Sat Oct 30	Kapaa	at Vidinha Stadium	L, 47-0
Sat Nov 13	Waimea	at Hanapepe Stadium	L, 28-14
Sat Nov 20	Kapaa	at Vidinha Stadium	L, 42-12
Sat Dec 04	Waimea	at Vidinha Stadium	L, 24-21
Sat Dec 11	Kapaa	at Vidinha Stadium	L, 23-6