×

A Luna through and through

Having grown up around program, Watson now a versatile leader for Lahainaluna

Lahainaluna High School’s Kuola Watson returns a punt that set up the Lunas’ first TD on Saturday. The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo

LAHAINA — In every way imaginable, Kuola Watson was born to be a Lahainaluna High School football player.

The Lunas’ junior safety is the son of Kenui Watson, the team’s defensive coordinator, and the grandson of co-head coach Robert Watson.

Like his father and older brother Kamalei did before him, Kuola Watson does a whole bunch for the Lunas: runs the defensive secondary from his safety spot, returns punts and kickoffs, and holds on place kicks.

“I mean, it’s just a community, all my boys, we all have good chemistry and we all support each other,” Kuola Watson said Sunday. “It’s just a good time. I always dreamed of playing football for Lahainaluna.”

At 5-foot-8, 145 pounds, he is not the most imposing figure, but he can make huge differences on the field for the team that has made five straight state title games.

Watson

“He is a Luna through and through because his grandpa, his dad, they are all Lunas,” Lahainaluna co-head coach Dean Rickard said of Kuola Watson. “I mean, he grew up basically a Lahainaluna Luna. He’s been on this field since he was a kid. You’re right, he’s a versatile utility player. If he was just a little bigger he’d play on the line. 

“But it’s his football intelligence, he just plays smart. As you can see, he’s not physically the biggest specimen we have out there, but you talk about a kid who plays with heart, that is him. He is what Lahainaluna football is all about — being disciplined, focused, and going out there and just competing at the highest level.”

Rickard continued with this to wrap up his thoughts on Watson.

“Without Kuola, I don’t know what we’d do,” Rickard said. “He looks at any way he can help the team, always, and doing whatever is best for the team. That’s the kind of players we really like.”

Watson remembers going to the old Imu practice field on campus with his father when he was 3 years old.

“I grew up on the field,” he said. “It was a good learning experience, I could see the fast pace of the game and just have fun on the field. That’s pretty much it, but the boys were always supportive though.

“I could just hear it. I wanted to be like them when I was younger and I think that’s what we have now.”

Certainly his three-interception performance in a 21-14 Lahainaluna victory in terrible weather conditions on Sept. 3 at Kamehameha Maui stands out, but his 27-yard punt return that set up the Lunas’ first touchdown in a 28-6 win over King Kekaulike on Saturday night in Lahaina was also a difference maker.

To be one of the role models now for the youngsters running through the stands and concourse on game nights at Sue Cooley Stadium is something he is coming to appreciate.

“I didn’t really think about that — it’s pretty crazy because I used to be that kid,” Watson said. “I mean, I used to look up to all the football players that played for Lahaina.”

The Lunas celebrated homecoming on Saturday night in front of a packed house at Sue Cooley Stadium.

“I couldn’t even picture anything like that,” Watson said. “It was one of my dreams to play in front of a crowd like that. … I think it was all of our dreams, too, especially after COVID, to play in front of a crowd like that.”

Certainly the crowd will be large this Saturday at War Memorial Stadium when the Lunas take on Maui High with huge implications for the MIL Division I state berth on the line. The Lunas (4-0) have won a league-record 35 MIL games in a row — their streak against the Sabers (3-1) is 10.

The first meeting on Aug. 20 was the closest of the recent games between the Lunas and Sabers, a 17-10 win for Lahainaluna in a game that had just 286 total yards from scrimmage.

Lahainaluna leads the MIL in team offense (315.3 yards per game) and defense (133.8 ypg). The Sabers are third offensively (272.5 ypg) and second defensively (147.0 ypg).

“I think we’re going to be good because we’re all going to be dedicated,” Watson said. “We’re all going to do everything we need to do to perform to our best, especially with our starting D-line and our linebackers. … I will talk to my DBs this week and we’ll have the passing game on lock.”

His brother and current Southern Utah player Devon Sa-Chisolm are two of the players Kuola Watson remembers watching closely. 

Kuola Watson said he thinks about college football — Sa-Chisolm left West Maui prior to his senior season in 2020 to play at Orem (Utah) High School.

“It’s always been a goal for all of us to just make it out, to play for the next level,” Watson said. “We always push each other in practice just to get to that level of skill to where we can be playing in college football.”

Of course, Kuola Watson is proud of the family name, which resonates in Lahainaluna circles like the Tihada family name also does. Kuola and Kenui Watson manage to keep track of the fact that family comes first.

“He is my coach, but at the end of the day he is my father, so it’s just normal stuff we talk about,” Kuola said. “Well, before games we talk about football, to get the mindset.”

Kamalei Watson has advice for his little brother, always.

“Everything, all the time, he notices my mistakes, but he also sees my accomplishments,” Kuola Watson said. “He brings me up, my papa and my dad, too. They taught me everything I know. They gave me the love of the game.

“I feel proud to walk in their footsteps.”

His grandfather holds a special place in Kuola’s heart.

“Honestly, he’s one of the best coaches I know,” Kuola said. “He actually takes time in his day to watch film, he makes sure that we’re in the spots we’re supposed to be to make the big plays. 

“That’s what happened in the Kam game. He set up everything perfectly — all I had to do was listen to him, trust him, and I was there.”

As is clearly the Luna way, Kuola Watson was quick to credit his teammates, who harassed KSM quarterback Makana Kamaka-Brayce –the reigning MIL Offensive Player of the Year — into a tough night.

“Our defense was holding them down, our D-line wasn’t giving the QB any time to get to his reads,” Watson said. “So, it’s a big shout out to all the defensive players and all the defensive coaches.”

The one thing that Kuola Watson is waiting to do is get a chance to join the Lunas’ giant stable of running backs, like his brother did.

“My brother, he would run the ball, too — I’m trying to get on that side,” Kuola Watson said. “It’ll come someday.”

To be a Watson on the Lahainaluna roster “is an honor, obviously,” Watson said. He grew up with current Lunas running back Kaulana Tihada, the younger brother of MIL all-time rushing leader Joshua Tihada and son of assistant coach Joey Tihada.

“There’s a lot riding on your name and you just have got to show out every day,” Watson said. “I grew up with Kaulana, though, we’ve got good chemistry. I got his back, he’s got my back. That’s how it’s always going to be.”

*Robert Collias is at rcollias@mauinews.com

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper?
     
Support Local Journalism on Maui

Only $99/year

Subscribe Today