KALAHEO FOOTBALL: HISTORY MADE & RECORDS SET

This year’s football season at Kalaheo came with many changes. From a brand new coaching staff, manned by head coach Mr. Jaymason Lee,  came new ways of training and records. But most importantly, new mindsets. Before the season even started,  the team created a better sense of bonding and camaraderie through a two-day, two-night football camp.  “We really needed that football camp to buy into what they were doing. They are coaching us in the most perfect way possible, we are held accountable for everything we do. They have taught us major life lessons that we needed for us to start to become a successful program,”  said junior Connor Nauta (C, OLB).   

60-43 HOMECOMING WIN : It has been over 26 years since the Kalaheo Mustangs have beaten the Kaimuku Bulldogs in a football game. The last time being October 17th, 1997 at Aloha Stadium! On September 8th, 2023, at Kalaheo’s Homecoming game, not only were we able to beat Kaimuki, Kalaheo’s 2023 football team was able to score the most points in one game in comparison to any other Kalaheo football team since 1976. With a score of 60 to 43, the Kalaheo Mustangs proved to hold their own. 

RECORDS BROKEN: Later in  the season, Both Kamalu Anoba-Jordan and Jude Weber were able to break school records in the same game against Kaiser High School. Jude with passing over 333 yards and Kamalu with a receiving record of 172 yards. “All of those records were a team effort. The only reason any of those records were broken was because our team was able to work efficiently and effectively together. None of the records broken were an individual effort, all of them were team efforts,” said Jude. 

GAME CANCELLATION & NO HOME FIELD: Sports seasons are never perfect. For many Kalaheo fans, it was difficult to even attend any games as Kalaheo had no home football field due to Kailua High School’s field lights not working. Meaning that most games were not on the east side at all. And on October 9th, despite over 1,000 spectators in attendance, a Kalaheo vs. Kalani game was cancelled just minutes before kick off. It was Kalani’s senior night and homecoming game, but despite scheduling in place weeks in advance, no referees showed up. Unlike in most recent years, the Kalaheo football team was able to hold their own throughout the season. Consistently playing competitive games with close scores against opposing teams, it was disappointing to not make it to playoffs despite the team playing better than it had in years.  

Jude Weber mentions that while the result wasn’t what they had hoped, an even more important lesson was learned. “The end result that I had in mind as well as others wasn’t able to be achieved, but it was a stronger season.  The look for next year is to continue with the same if not more of an intense mentality and effort, and to take our program to the playoffs next year,” said Jude.