Red Raiders happy to play
Kahuku's Evan Moe was brought down by the West defense at the HUB Foundation Goodwill Senior Classic last night at Kapolei.
Getting back on the field, even for an exhibition all-star game with mostly new teammates, has been a bit of relief for the Kahuku Red Raiders.
Nine of them suited up for last night’s HUB Foundation Goodwill Senior Classic in Kapolei, donning the royal blue jerseys of the East squad. That’s quite a departure from their beloved red unis, but they all seemed happy to play despite a horrendous close to their once perfect season.
"It’s an opportunity for us, a second chance for us," lineman Steven Siilata said. "I played center (at Kahuku), but they said go anywhere you want, so I went to D-line."
Kahuku’s season ended at 10-0 when the OIA disqualified the team for using an ineligible player.
"We’re trying to handle it in a mature way, not be angry," Siilata added. "We’re still together as one. We’ll never forget the season."
The East won the game 21-7 on a pair of touchdown passes by Saint Louis quarterback Marcus Mariota and a fumble return for a touchdown by fellow Crusader Juda Parker.
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All nine Red Raiders were still thinking of former teammate Keoni Tafuna, who died nearly two weeks ago.
"Rest in peace, Keoni ‘Deedee’ Tafuna. He should’ve been on this team, I think," Siilata said. "He had the best stats on our defense."
"It’s been a helluva first semester for us," linebacker Ben Mamea said.
Safety Tigi Hill, still hamming it up with funny faces around cameras, was blunt about the tragedy and broken dreams of his team.
"The past month sucked," he said.
Quarterback Evan Moe and his talented targets, tight end Shairone Thompson and wide receiver Punga Vea, learned a new set of plays from East coach Gary Rosolowich and his staff.
"Yeah, different running plays and a lot of shotgun," Moe said.
The East and West teams had four practices to get acquainted with their new teammates.
Being together, the Kahuku teammates — also including defensive back Traysen Medeiros, linebacker T.J. Tito and lineman Christopher Thee — had one last hurrah together. Tafuna’s funeral was set for this morning in Laie.
"For tonight, we’ll just have fun," Thee said.
