The Kapolei High School Hurricanes football team of Kapolei, Hawaii, has traveled to Washington D.C. this weekend to face St. John’s College High School, a prominent football program in Maryland. This marks the first time a high school football team from Hawaii has competed in a game east of the Mississippi River, according to Head Coach Darren Hernandez.
Beyond the athletic competition, the trip provides significant educational opportunities for the players. The team’s itinerary includes visits to the National Mall and the Smithsonian museums, offering the student-athletes exposure to historical and cultural landmarks in the nation’s capital. Coach Hernandez emphasized the importance of providing enriching experiences for his players, highlighting the educational value of the trip.
Despite recently suffering their first loss of the season to Kahuku High School, Kapolei remains confident in their team’s abilities. The Hurricanes’ offensive line, notable for its youth with one freshman and three sophomores starting, is considered a key component of their success. Coach Hernandez acknowledged the line’s potential, emphasizing that minimizing mistakes will be crucial for their performance.
The offensive line provides support for the Hurricanes’ dynamic running back duo, Zeph Salis and Mikey Kapahu, who have amassed nearly 700 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns combined. Salis, known for his speed and agility, has been dubbed “Lightning,” while Kapahu, a powerful runner, is referred to as “Thunder.” The two backs complement each other effectively in the running game, according to Kapahu.
Players and coaches alike believe that a victory against St. John’s College High School would provide significant momentum for the remainder of the Oahu Interscholastic Association (OIA) season. Offensive lineman Ioane Paselio stated that the team’s goal is to secure a win and return home with a renewed focus on dominating their upcoming games. Kapolei will return to Hawaii to play Farrington High School in their next OIA Open division game next weekend.
