With a new mindset, Kamehameha football hopeful for strong comeback in new season

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Kamehameha ended last season on a sour note, losing their last five straight games — but along with a new video board, they’re also debuting a new mindset.

The Warriors emerged from their season opener with a win against Leilehua, but the team is hardly excited about a 10-3 victory filled with mistakes on both sides of the ball.

“Last weekend, it wasn’t the best, we definitely can do better and I think things that we have changed was our scheme ... this week definitely a lot of zone, especially since the speed of these players,” said Kamehameha defensive back Keahi Kuikahi.

Their next challenge, Mission Viejo, sitting at 33rd in the country based on preseason rankings.

Last year, the Warriors made the trip to Southern California and got shut out, 34-0.

“It really comes back down to can we get aligned, we know what our assignments are in all three phases and can we make the adjustments and play fundamentally sound football,” said Kamehameha head coach Kaeo Drummondo.

Tight end Taimane Purcell added, “Just trying to get on the field as much as I can, make an impact wherever I can, hopefully I can just make some big plays for our team.”

The Diablos have traveled around the country to play ball, but they always seem to come back to the islands, having played multiple Hawaii teams over the last two decades.

“Football is different everywhere, Southern California, Texas, Florida, but Hawaii, they’ve had a lot of great players. I mean we’re at Saint Louis high school right now, Tua went here, and Tyson Alualu the tackle for the Steelers. So it’s a different brand of football, they’re very physical, and they play different overages,” said Mission Viejo quarterback Draiden Trudeau.

A few years ago the team started what they call the “Hawaii Initiative,” a way to give back while visiting.

This year, they’re raising money for Lahaina.

“The fires impacted Maui and the whole civilization out here, we felt like we have opportunity to come in, we want to do something to give back,” said Mission Viejo Head Coach Chad Johnson. “We decided to sell our t-shirts, every year when we go out to Hawaii, we always make a cool t-shirt, we’re excited about it, we got a few thousand dollars to give them in a couple days.”

The Warriors host the Diablos on Saturday, before heading on the road next week to play another California school, Warren.

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