Wildcats – Keep Your Eyes on the Prize
Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.
Wildcats – Keep Your Eyes on the Prize
As Head Coach Cliff Walters tells his players over and over and over again… the biggest sin in any sport is the sin of over-confidence. That’s why he doesn’t let up. That’s why he tells his players day-in-and-day-out: Keep Your Eyes on the Prize.
After last weeks 86-0 win, it would be an easy thing for these Wildcats to get a little full of themselves. It would be easy to look past their next opponent towards the rematch the following week against their arch-rival, Hawaii Preparatory Academy (HPA).
But Coach Walters would have none of it. That’s not how he looks at his schedule… or his team. That’s not how you keep your eyes on the prize.
Before a game a few weeks ago, when everyone was predicting a relatively easy win for Konawaena, there he was with his own prediction:
“13-12. And the way we practiced this week,
I’m not sure who’s going to end up with 12.”
So the message from Coach stays the same…
Keep your Eyes on the Prize... and right now the Kohala Cowboys are the next opponent keeping you from that prize. First things first.
Keep your Eyes on the Prize
Having gotten a small taste of the prize that’s waiting for them, the Wildcat players have bought into Coach Walter’s philosophy 100%.
They know they have bigger games coming up, but they also understand that no opponent can be overlooked if they are to reach their goal.
With this in mind, they wasted little time getting focused against Kohala.
Keep Your Eyes on the Prize…
They jumped all over the Cowboys right from the opening kick, scoring 28 points in both the 1st and 2nd quarters to lead 56-0 at halftime.
Dishon Cho intercepted a pass on Kohala’s first possession and the tone for the game was set in stone.
QB Lii Karratti was once again lights out- completing 11 of 13 passes for 303 yards and 6 TD’s to 4 different receivers in the 1st half alone.
WR Dominic Morris nabbed 3 of these TD’s (7 yards, 55 yards, and 37 yards), while Kenan Gaspar (24 yards), Chase Takaki (43 yards) and Dishon Cho (7 yards) pulled down the other 3.
As always, the Defense got into the 1st Half act as well, led by Senior DB Ryan Torres-Torioka, who intercepted 2 passes and took them both back for touchdowns (28 yards and 25 yards). Torioka completed the ‘hat trick’ with his 3rd interception return for a touchdown in the 2nd half, only to have it called back by a penalty.
In the 2nd Half, the Wildcats turned it over to dual-threat RB John Kamoku and the running game. Komaku finished the game with just 4 carries, but 2 of those went for touchdowns of 25 yards and 15 yards.
Komaku also showcased his lethal skills with a catch-and-run that was highlight-worthy of ESPN’s ‘Top 10′.
He took a short pass from Karratti on the left side, got cut off near the 25 yard line on the sideline, got chased backwards and then reversed direction to the other side of the field, out-running the entire Cowboy defense for a touchdown.
Even though it was called back due to a penalty, it left the entire crowd in a buzz.
It was the kind of play that Coach Walters cringes to watch… but no doubt will give opposing coaches migraines as they’re watching Wildcats game film for the rest of the season.
Keep Your Eyes on the Prize – Stepping Up
The 2nd half gave the rest of the Wildcats a chance to prepare for the rest of the season.
With the memory of the loss of one of their Defensive leaders, Austin Denis, still fresh in their minds, these young players know they might be called upon at any moment to step up to the challenge.
Just like they did last week, 22 different players had tackles (1o of them for losses, with 2 sacks) for the Wildcat Defense, lead by Junior Aaron Mills with 6.
Keep Your Eyes on the Prize… it’s on the Horizon
Overall, it was a trademark win by the Konawaena. Dominating offense that attacks from every position. Suffocating defense that can not only shut an opponent down, but also score in every imaginable way.
A game that leaves no doubt in the minds of future opponents that the Wildcats are not looking past anyone in their quest to “Start and Finish in the Stadium”.
And more people are starting to take notice…
Next up?
On the road for their first game of the year against their arch-rivals, Hawaii Preparatory Academy.
If this game is anything like last year’s, this is “can’t-miss” football.
Keep your eyes on the prize. All year long.
Game on.
Hey Wildcat Fans-
If you missed any of the earlier game posts, you can catch up right here-
Konawaena Wildcats – 2012 Game Scores and Recaps