HondaReport.com - No harm done for Firebrands RB

Monday, Aug. 11, 2008
Not everything written makes it to print. This piece on Word of Life and a knee injury to fullback Kala'i Bustos is still worth a read.

Word of Life isn't playing soft as its first varsity football season kicks off. In fact, the Firebrands, who won the ILH intermediate title a year ago, took on powerhouse Kahuku in a scrimmage on Thursday. WLA fans held their breath as starting fullback Kala‘i Bustos went down with a knee injury. That almost put a cloud over WLA's successful day at Carleton Weimer Field; Word of Life scored three times during the scrimmage. Kahuku scored twice.

Bustos was able to walk despite the injury, but when the knee swelled up the following day, concerns arose. An MRI on Saturday gave the senior and his team good news: no visible damage.

Kahuku, with a mammoth roster, put a lot of players on the field to get snaps in scrimmages with WLA and Mililani in recent days. Word of Life, with just 35 players and a tricky Double-Wing offense, marched down the field and scored on its first series.

"Our whole goal was just to have our kids believe they can play with a great team," coach Joe Onosai said. "Our offense is something Kahuku's not used to. By the end of the season, Kahuku is always a different team. I'm glad we caught them early."

Two days later, the Firebrands and their posse of two-way ironman players found the going tough against Kaimuki.

"They're so physical, they totally shut us down. The double wing couldn't move except against their second group," Onosai said. "To play two great teams within 48 hours was just a bit too much."

There are a few teams, including Waianae and Lahainaluna, that use the Wing-T offense. WLA used the WIng T on the intermediate level for a half-season, but opted to stick with the Double Wing.

"It's not a magic offense, but it helps us to compete," said Onosai, who noted that Oahu Interscholastic Association White member Anuenue is also using the Double Wing this season.

Word of Life opens nonconference play at Nanakuli on Saturday, then will play Moanalua on Aug. 22. The Firebrands will travel on the Superferry and play at Kamehameha-Maui on Aug. 30 before opening league play against Pac-Five.