Football fever hits Lanai: promising season lineup revealed
Contributed by Natalie Ropa, Lanai High & Elementary School Foundation. Photos courtesy of Natalie Ropa.
The Lanai High & Elementary School 8-man football season has begun its fall season, and it's looking very optimistic with a full team of about 31 young men. Practices started on July 23 with the usual first two weeks, also known as “conditioning week,” where the players condition by doing two hours of running, rolling tires, passing, throwing, catching and drills. After the two weeks are over, they are officially given their helmets and then their pads the following week.
Head coach Sid Alejado is excited for this season. Seniors Diesel Del Rosario, Ervin Badillo, Alex Hawkins and Makamae Kadooka lead the team, and newcomer senior Johnny Baltero adds size to the squad. This year, Reese Noble replaces his brother Ryan as head quarterback. “Our players have been working out all summer, attending camps on Oahu, Maui and Molokai, and playing flag football to stay conditioned for this season,” says Alejado. “Our first game this year is a home game on September 9 against Molokai. We ask the community to support us by coming out to watch and cheer for our boys; it will be a very exciting game!”
Below is the 2023 game schedule:
Saturday, September 9: Lanai vs Molokai (Home Game)
Saturday, September 16: Lanai vs Seabury Hall at Seabury Hall
Saturday, September 30: Lanai vs Hana at Hana
Saturday, October 7: Lanai vs Seabury Hall (Home Game)
Saturday, October 14: Lanai vs Hana (Home Game)
Saturday, October 21: Lanai vs Molokai at Molokai