After a two-year wait, what’s another week?
That’s one of the mantras for family members around the island as well as Kohala High’s football team, which is set to make its season debut Saturday in a BIIF Division II contest at Ka’u in an 11 a.m. kickoff.
The Cowboys had to forfeit a home game Oct. 23 against Pahoa because of a lack of players, but Kohala coach Jay Blanco said Thursday that his team was primed to take on the Trojans, who also will be playing their opener,
“We’re ready,” Blanco said. “We’ve been ready.”
He said he hopes the forfeit was a one-off, though it remains to be seen if the Cowboys will be able to deal with attrition should injuries, grades or other factors come into play.
“We have enough (players),” Blanco said, echoing his sentiments from the preseason. “We’ve been doing everything we can to get the kids on the field.”
This will also be the first football weekend that family members of players – two per athlete – are allowed to attend games, provided they are vaccinated.
“We’re hoping that can be a game-changer for us this week,” Kamehameha coach Kealoha Wengler said.
The Warriors (0-0 BIIF, 0-1), two weeks removed from 20-0 nonleague loss at Kealakehe, host Honokaa (0-1, 0-1) on Friday in what lines up as a run-heavy contest.
Kamehameha ran elements of the Wing-T offense at Kealakehe, while the Dragons favor the spread option and put the ball in the air just once in a 16-6 loss to Hawaii Prep.
“We’re green,” Wengler said, “so it starts with the basics for us and blocking.”
He said the Warriors’ depth could be tested this week with the roster down to approximately 40 because of varying issues.
Also on Friday, the Waveriders host Waiakea (0-1, 0-1) in a Division I matchup, and Kealakehe coach Wyatt Nahele is looking forward to the atmosphere.
“We’re all excited to have fans back in the stands and for the players to be able to receive recognition,” he said.
“They’ve waited too long for this.”
In a Saturday matinée in Kealakekua, Keaau and Konawaena will try to build on season-opening wins. The Wildcats ended Hilo’s 23-game winning streak with a field goal in overtime, while the Cougars blocked a last-second field goal at Waiakea to avoid overtime.
Blanco said that because the Kohala-Ka’u game will be played at a county facility in Pahala, the BIIF was unable to get approval for fans.
“Just having a game will be great, though,” he said. “We’ve waited two years for this.”
That’s the mantra for many.