Today at Nanakuli Beach Park, I was invited to a "Big Boyz Football" JV (ages 12-13) game. I ran into head coach of the Westside Warriors (4-0), Ale Tolentino and he related that he has been with the Warriors since they first started 6-7 years ago under Father John Frederick. The"Big Boyz" was organized for kids who want to play Pop Warner football but can't because of their weight, which means they would have to wait until they get into high school. This gives them an opportunity to experience playing football before they get into high school. Last year, the Warriors took the 2009 Championship. Today's game will be a "battle of the bulge" because the Waikele Wild Cats are another top team in this division and are undefeated, 3-0. I also had a chance to speak with head coach of the Wild Cats, Roy Tavares who has been with the team for the past 3-4 years. He also told me that "Big Boyz" football was to accommodate the kids who cannot make weight requirements to play Pop Warner. Today's game should be a good one, and the Wild Cats are hoping to come out on top against the Warriors who are a tough team.
"Tough" was the word for both teams. I have to admit that all throughout the game, "good sportsmanship" was held to the highest standard. At half time, the Warriors took the lead at 26-22. During the fourth quarter, one of the Warriors team players #52 Charidon Leleo Jr. (center and lineman) was down due to an injury, and the game came to a halt. Both sides were hoping all was well, and he was helped off the field with medical waiting for him. I checked with Charidon and thankfully, he said he was doing okay.
As for the final game score, the Warriors ran off with the game 46-38 over the Wild Cats. Congratulations to the Warriors and to head coach Ale Tolentino and his staff, and to the Wild Cats and head coach Roy Tavares and his staff. Great effort on the part of both teams, including the following players, #10 Troutman and #11 Kaawa of the Warriors and #25 Reno, Abero, #24 Timmy Riviera and #54 Mark Failauga (photo above) of the Wild Cats. I would also like to thank the Failauga family for inviting me to the game, and to the Grace Thru Faith Monastery, Pita Mohetau for their "ono" laulau. "click" here to see photos
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