Lunas look like contenders
August 27, 2010 – By ROBERT COLLIAS Staff Writer
With a shiny $2 million Matrix Turf field in place at ”The Imu,” the Lahainaluna High School football team has a spring in its step, a renewed sense of pride and an experienced roster that could lift the Lunas to the top of the Maui Interscholastic League.
Lahainaluna’s 6-2 record last season matched nemesis Baldwin for MIL supremacy – the two teams split their head-to-head matchups – and like much of the rest of the league, the Lunas appear to be much more seasoned than a year ago.
Lahainaluna’s last outright league crown came in 2004, but this looks like a team that can contend for another.
The 43-man roster has 17 seniors, including quarterback T.J. Rickard back to lead the offense and linebacker Mitchell Loewen to lead the defense.
Rickard completed 59 of 95 passes last season for 583 yards – third in the MIL – with four touchdowns and three interceptions. Loewen has shot up to 6-foot-4, 235 pounds – he was listed at 6-2, 190 last season – and is attracting attention from several NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision schools.
”Of course, initially, first stepping on to this field there was a little extra bounce, but once we get into the swing of things, it is practice,” Lahainaluna co-head coach Garret Tihada said last week. ”I’m sure they think the sun is a little bit hotter once they have their pads on.'”
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