JV Football

The Black and Gold 1976

Cohesive Team Efforts Spark Spirited JV Tigers to Unprecented 8-0 Record

 Prior to the JV football banquet, the six coaches tried to vote for a Most Valuable Player but could not single out any particular player. The proverb, "Behind an able man, there are always other able men," best described the cohesive team effort of the jayvees. This, coupled with the close interralationship between the coaching staff and the Tiger Cubs, sparked prepared and determined junior gridders to an undefeated eight-game season, unprecedented in the OIA, and the city title.

 Coaches feared that triumphs over Aiea, 33-0 and Kamehameha, 23-6, in preseason might have groomed the Cubs took quickly. But it seemed to be an emerging sign of pride-pride spelled with confidence.

 McKinley held their opposition to a mere 27 points while scoring 232 points in regular season play. The JV Tigers blanked four adversaries, tallying an average of 28 points against Pearl City, Farrington, Kalani and Kaimuki.

 A second-half appearance by a recuperating Head Coach Mike Marques motivated the jayvees to hold Kalaheo scoreless for the remainder of the game dedicated to Coach Marques and reap 28 points. McKinley pounced on arch rival Roosevelt, unbeaten by the Cubs for four years, to keep their record intact. A screen pass TD and conversion were the only Kaiser scores as the Tiger Cubs snared the Cougars to clinch a tie for the city championship. The final two opponents were victims of a JV Tiger blitzkreig. Maintaining a perfect 8-0 record and the OIA City District title enabled McKinley to playoff Windward district champ Kahuku for the eastern division crown, a rematch of last year's championship battle.

 Not known for their passing game, the Red Raiders scored on a 50-yard bomb and coveted for a 7-0 lead at the half. Crucial mental errors never committed before in season and the loss of tailback Ross Oshiro troubled the Cubs. McKinley plunged deep into Kahuku territory but failed to score. With seven seconds on the clock, Kahuku found the end zone again to put a 15-0 game out of reach for the JV Tigers.

 "We did not lose to a better team," said Coach Marques. "I still believe we are the best JV Football Team in the state."
 "I love my team very much," Marques added, and next year's varsity will truly profit from the "fantastic attitude, ability and modesty" of the jayvees.

McKinley High School Class of 1977

40th Reunion Summer 2017