After years of teaching the run-and-shoot at Kauai, Kelii Morgado came to Kapaa and found himself with bigger linemen, including some mobile ones who could plow defenders. This year, the Warriors are grinding opponents down with a mix of looks, but their primary weapon is the spread option popularized by Paul Johnson when he was the offensive coordinator at the University of Hawaii.
In this play against Waimea during the Kauai Interscholastic Federation title game, the linemen are in extremely tight splits and tight end Kaulana Kaui (42) is lined up at right. Slotback Bronson Aiwohi (10) is at left, with power-running Sendreck D‘Sio (28) as the lone running back.
Waimea, which had played Kapaa three times already, lined up with five linemen down and two linebackers, a relatively even alignment. But Kapaa had set the Menehunes — they spell their nickname in plural — up with constant action on the wide side of the field via option pitches by quarterback John Das (7).
At the Waimea 6-yard line, the die was cast. Aiwohi went in motion in the backfield and Waimea’s cornerback anticipated another option play. On the snap, however, the quick pulling action of right guard Maka Ah Loo (60) made it clear that this was going inside.
By then, it was too late for Waimea. Ah Loo, a 6-foot-1, 305-pound freshman, pushed out the defensive end. The cornerback (3) committed to the option and remained wide, a crucial distance from the action.
Right tackle Gabe Dias (51) sealed in the defensive tackle, and Kaui took on the linebacker. With the cornerback long gone, wide receiver Kaikea Sonoda (4) alertly converged toward the point of attack and helped Kaui seal off the linebacker.
Simultaneously, Das faked to D‘Sio, then followed him through the hole for an easy 6-yard touchdown run.
In the end, it wasn’t bad execution by a tough Waimea defense. The Menehunes were simply outnumbered as the safety stayed back behind the goal line, making this a 5-on-3 blocking scenario. It’s that kind of edge, in addition to Kapaa’s girth advantage over ‘Iolani, that makes today’s matchup all the more intriguing.
