Walking up the hill to Ken Yamase Memorial Stadium Waiakea High School, the sounds of a coach’s whistle and the cracking of pads fill the air, unmistakable hints of a football practice. ADVERTISING Walking up the hill to Ken Yamase
Walking up the hill to Ken Yamase Memorial Stadium Waiakea High School, the sounds of a coach’s whistle and the cracking of pads fill the air, unmistakable hints of a football practice.
But in November at Waiakea?
Yes, and senior linebacker Chance Silva-Borero has been here every step of the way the past four seasons with coach Moku Pita, and the way he sees it the program’s cultural shift is complete, on and off the field.
“Kids used to be blaming the coaches, but nowadays when we see a problem we fix it,” Silva-Borero said. “The speed is getting faster and picking up. Players are buying in and parents are more involved.”
Parental support will not be a problem Friday night, not when all one has to do to see Waiakea is flip on the TV.
After a series of two-win seasons filled with many lowlights, the Warriors get a chance at the spotlight. Waiakea returns to the HHSAA championships for the first time in 15 seasons, taking on Campbell at its field in Ewa Beach, Oahu, in a Division I quarterfinal game in front of statewide audience on OC16. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.
“Everyone is realizing we’re not just a team to step on anymore,” Silva-Borero said. “Some people wanted an overnight change, but we knew it had to be a grind and we had to work it out as a process.”
As for the next step, little is expected from the BIIF runner-up Warriors (3-8), who, with the absences of Makoa Andres (injured) and Gehrig Octavio (away at baseball showcase), will be turning to former junior varsity quarterback Ka’io Kon to step up against battle-tested Campbell
The second-seeded Sabers (6-4) will be playing their first game in three weeks. Campbell missed on a chance to represent the OIA in the Open Division with a 25-7 loss to Farrington on Oct. 14.
In watching the Sabers on film, Waiakea center Thomas Pakani sees “big boys,” the likes of which the Warriors haven’t faced.
“This is another level,” he said. “The Oahu teams are way different.”
Though his statistics might not show it, Campbell quarterback Kawika Ulufale showed steady improvement as the Sabers won three games in a row in September, including a win against Waianae, which went on to make the Open Division.
“I see all 11 guys going 110 percent,” Silva-Borero said. “They are kind of like us. They may not be the most talented team, but they do go full speed.”
BIIF champion Hilo, which plays Leilehua at Keaau High, and Waiakea take the field Friday night trying to score one for their league, which is 0-17 all-time in the Division I tournament.
“It’s never going to be easy,” Pakani said. “It’s who wants it.
“We’re not just coming to show up. We’re coming to ball. Nothing more, nothing less.”
Andres and Octavio helped Waiakea end its state drought with a 29-14 victory against Kealakehe in early October, the high-water mark for Pita so far during his tenure.
“We beat who we had to beat to get here,” Pita said. “With this school and this administration, it’s not about the wins and losses. It’s getting the kids graduated and having most move on to some form of college.”
Andres missed the Warriors’ 40-3 loss to Hilo in the BIIF title game Oct. 21, and with Octavio also not available, Kon takes the reins of an offense that’s used both spread and jumbo backfield formations this season.
That won’t change Friday night.
Kon, a sophomore, was the second-string JV quarterback this season because Waiakea preferred to play him on the defensive line. The Warriors will be boosted by the return of senior running back Austin Deperalta, who missed the BIIF final, giving Waiakea another running threat along with Wes Amuimuia.
“Kon’s strengths are he can throw the short pass and run pretty good,” Pita said. “When we play the spread, Wes can go back to the slot.”
Silva-Borero figures he’s leaving Waiakea football much better off then he found it. It’s been a four-year voyage with its fair share of struggles, but even if the Warriors lose Friday night his career will end with a highlight.
“Hopefully, they give us a challenge we’ve never seen before,” he said. “It’s David vs. Goliath.
”We take a pride in bringing the chance to play at states at back to the community.”
