Coach Dean Rickard addresses the Lahainaluna High School varsity football team in a post-practice session that prompts players to express the goals and mentality of the team.

LAHAINA — Lahainaluna’s stunning loss to archrival Iolani in the Hawaii High School Athletic Association Division I State Championship contest last year will no doubt be a motivating factor as the Lunas open up the 2022 season.

But the veteran Big Red coaching staff led by co-head coaches Bobby Watson and Dean Rickard will also concentrate on refocusing the energy of the current team.

“We have established short- and long-term goals to motivate the players to make another run. Emphasis is put on being responsible on the field and in the classroom,” said Coach Rickard last week.

“After last season’s loss, the players made a pledge at the airport to recommit to the goals of the program.”

He added that talent is there and, with a large number of returning student-athletes with the experience of the ’21 campaign, the team is poised to make another run at a Maui Interscholastic League Division I title and a return to the HHSAA State Championship arena.

The Lunas have dominated the MIL over the last decade and last year moved up from the Division II bracket to compete at D-I.

The loss to Iolani ended a championship streak of four consecutive titles and will motivate the current team.

Coach Watson will lead the Lunas’ 3-5 defense while Coach Rickard mentors the offensive line. Joining them on the Lahainaluna staff are Mike Arakawa (linebackers), Randy Arakawa (wide receivers), Jeff Kihune (replaces retiring defensive line coach Clifford Corniel), Garret Tihada (returning as offensive coordinator after a three-year hiatus.), Kekoa Mowat (offensive line), Joey Tihada (running backs) and Kenui Watson (defensive coordinator, defensive backs).

“This year we have 13 seniors returning who either started or saw significant playing time during last year’s championship run. Currently, we have a roster of 49 players, 27 of whom will be in their junior year, and a good portion of them were starters or had significant playing time and are expected to break in to the starting lineups this year,” said Coach Rickard.

“Also good news is that we will field a junior varsity team of about 30 players who’ll get valuable game experience that will definitely help our program moving forward,” he added.

The Lunas JV program is headed up by Aloha Kaniho, and he is joined by Jayson Cabanilla (wide receivers), James Hapakupa (offensive line), Darren Kawahara (running backs), Dal Magno (linebackers, defensive coordinator), Nolle Smith (quarterbacks, offensive coordinator) and Sonnie Waiohu (defensive line).

The support staff for Luna football is staffed by Randy Casco (speed and conditioning), Lawrence Kauhaahaa (strength coach), and Shane Treu (team manager).

“For us, it’ll be business as usual, and with the return of Garret Tihada as our offensive coordinator to guide our base shotgun, multi-formation schemes and packages, offensively. Coach Watson and Coach Kenui Watson will lead our base 3-5 hybrid scheme defensively,” Rickard said.

“We’re all excited to get the season going, and I’m sure our fans are, too. We definitely cannot do it without the always appreciated and continued support from the families, school, sponsors and the entire West Side community. Mahalo Nui, Luna nation!” Coach Rickard concluded.