Red Raiders pay their respects


Kahuku held a moment of silence prior to the start of the Kaiser game to honor the late Feso Malufau and Benji Kemoeatu.

Malufau, better known as Coach "Juice," was a beloved member of the football community with his work with the Laie Park Big Boys team. He had been hospitalized for the past six months, but was able to see the Red Raiders' season-opener against Campbell before his passing the following week.

"Juice has been there for me since I was little," said running back Sefa Ameperosa. "He's like a father figure to me. I've dedicated this whole season to him and I miss him. Every time I point to the sky, that's for him. I thank him for everything."

On the morning of the Kaiser contest the players met at the school for a quick offense and defense meeting before heading down to Malufau's funeral.

"We had the whole team there with our jerseys to pay our respects," said Kahuku coach Vavae Tata. "He's touched a lot of these boys lives, coaching the big boys with our farm system — and he's also coached Kahuku football. It was great to see our kids pay our last respects to him."

After paying their respects, the Red Raiders headed back to campus to watch a team movie, but received more heartbreaking news when they found out that Kemoeatu died of a heart attack earlier that day. Kemoeatu, the youngest brother of NFL linemen Chris and Maake Kemoeatu, was a class of 2008 alumnus of the program.

"My heart goes out to Maake, Chris and the family. Prayers and godspeed to them," said Tata.

Playing with heavy hearts, the Red Raiders rolled Kaiser with an impressive defensive performance, 34-3. Ameperosa, who had "Juice" written on one eye black and "Benji" written on the other, rushed for a season-high 150 yards and two touchdowns in the win.



Reach Michael Lasquero at [email protected].