Photo By Kristen Wong | Wardawgs quarterback Candice Luna prepares to pass the ball during the championship...... read more read more
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HONOLULU - Wahine Koa and the Wardawgs went head to head in a championship game at Keehi Lagoon Park to close out another season with the Ohana Sports Alliance, Oct. 26, 2014. Wahine Koa defeated the Wardawgs 19-0.
The Wardawgs, which have many service members and spouses from Marine Corps Base Hawaii, came to this last game with two wins, three losses and two ties under their belts. The original team that was supposed to play Wahine Koa for the championship was unable to attend. The Wardawgs, next in line, stepped up to the challenge.
But while the Wardawgs, in their coach’s opinion, had a great attitude, they just didn’t have enough players. Wardawgs coach A.J. Manning is no stranger to Wahine Koa, who have won the majority of their games since their team was first formed.
“They’re the living embodiment of (the coach’s) attitude,” Manning said of Wahine Koa. “It’s a very threatening style.”
The Wardawgs have had a rough season with dwindling numbers, and only eight left to play Sunday. The team will also be losing Manning, a hospital corpsman with 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, who will deploy soon.
“I love football,” Manning said. “I’ve never coached females before and it’s been fun.”
Manning wants to be a counselor in the future, and he said coaching a female football team helped him develop his counseling skills. Unlike male players, who may need to rein in big egos, women are more willing to listen to coaching, he said.
The Wardawgs succeeded in shutting down Wahine Koa for the first time last season in March, cutting short their four-year winning streak.
“It’s a really big chess match,” said William White, Manning’s assistant coach, and a Marine from 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines. “There’s a one-touchdown difference whenever we play them. It’s always very competitive.”
This is White’s second full season helping coach the Wardawgs. He and Manning played together on the 3rd Marine Regiment tackle football team. White also currently coaches tackle football during the intramural season at MCB Hawaii. White has felt the effects of being shorthanded, as he has had to train three different quarterbacks this season.
“It’s been impressive playing with no more than 12 people per game,” White said. “To get better each week and to be able to play as well as we have speaks to how (hard they work). It’s going to be a good physical game. (Wahine Koa and the Wardawgs) both have the same mentality: The line has to be physical to win.”
The first half went by quickly. The Wardawgs had the initial kickoff, but Wahine Koa almost immediately took the lead with their initial touchdown, but missed the one-point conversion.
During the second half, Wahine Koa scored two more touchdowns, though Wardawgs player Stacy “Crazy” Nance kept Koa on their toes, pulling a number of flags, including the quarterback’s, as she dashed for the end zone.
Wardawgs player Jenna Folks also jumped the pass route during one pass attempt, and gained possession of the ball several times. The referees called the game with only 20 seconds left. Wahine Koa and the Wardawgs ended on a good note, with high fives all around.
“Today was a good game,” said Wardawgs veteran Nicole Hammonds. “The girls stayed focused and determined to play the game. We have a good group of girls that are determined no matter what. They always give 100 percent.”
Hammonds has played about eight seasons. She is the team’s offensive and defensive line. Hammonds said the team as a whole is a good team, but they just need to work on their plays. It is more challenging, she added however, because there are now only eight players, some of the Wardawgs were forced to play unfamiliar positions.
Like the Wardawgs, Wahine Koa will also be losing their coach, August Young, whose wife is making a permanent change of station. Young said that the Wardawgs were a good team, but were simply lacking in players.
“It’s my last official game,” Young said. “I’ve been (coaching) for three years with the ladies, so it’s bittersweet, but it’s good. Overall the team played well. (I) really wouldn’t have done much without my assistant, and offensive coordinator, John, he put a lot of hard work and just dedicated hours to this and without him it wouldn’t click as much as it did. (The team did) exactly what we wanted them to do.
"(Wahine Koa) fought really long and hard all season,” Young added. “I’m just proud to be a part of (the team). They impress me. They gave me what I wanted. I say ‘Give me a pick,’ they gave me a pick. I say ‘Go out there, push it down the field,’ so they pushed it down the field. They gave it everything they had and I can’t ask for more.”
| Date Taken: | 10.31.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 10.31.2014 14:37 |
| Story ID: | 146710 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, HI, US |
| Web Views: | 53 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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