Leilehua quarterback Cali Moniz-Kealoha cried in her father's arms following a 6-0 loss to Campbell in the inaugural HHSAA flag football championship game at Mililani on Saturday night.
The sophomore fought through sickness and doctor's orders to take the field on Saturday night. She exited the game in the third quarter, unable to return to action.
Her father, former University of Hawai‘i star quarterback Bryant Moniz, had just completed one last team speech that wrapped up his first season coaching flag football at his alma mater
"Fun season, fun year, fun game," Moniz said afterwards. "We had our opportunities ... just wasn't our night. But I'm proud of our girls. Our girls fought through injury, through sickness. They showed up and they gave their all. Super proud of all of our girls.
"I just told them I'm proud of them. So much to be proud of. Keep their heads up. They fought hard for each other, and be proud of what they did this year."
Leilehua girls flag football coach Bryant Moniz delivers a speech to his team following the HHSAA championship game. (Aloha State Daily Staff)
Moniz-Kealoha had completed six of her nine passes for 18 yards before she exited the game.
"She was in the hospital (Saturday), so she's really battling it," Moniz said. "(Friday) wasn't feeling good, (Saturday) she was dehydrated, so we took her to the hospital. She was there for a few hours, IV. The doctor told us not to play her, and she said, 'I'm here so I can play.' She wanted it bad, but sometimes, when the body can't go, the body can't go, and she just had to tap out. She said she's about to pass out. She just felt faint and was (about to) blackout. But I'm so proud of her. What a year."
The inaugural HHSAA girls flag football tournament provided plenty of parity. Of the five seeded league champions, none were in the semifinals. In the quarterfinals, Leilehua shocked top seed and tournament favorite Moanalua 7-6.
"So rewarding to see how much people came out, to see the community come together, and then to spend this time with my daughter has been amazing," Moniz said. "She's about to leave the nest, so I'm soaking up every opportunity I get. I'm glad I have two more years with her. It's been awesome."
Saturday's contest between the Mules and Sabers featured a pair of teams that played four games in as many days in the 16-team tournament.
"This is something we talked about early on in preseason. We weren't afraid to speak it to existence," Campbell head coach Wilson Naboa said. "The best thing about this was just the ride with the girls. I mean, they believed from the beginning, great group of girls. Defense wins championships, and we proved that all season."
While many flag football coaches will return to their tackle football duties in the fall, Moniz will not be one of them. He recently served as Leilehua's offensive coordinator, but this fall, he'll return to college to get his degree. Moniz says he is one semester away from graduating from UH-Mānoa. If all goes to plan, he'll be on the sidelines again next spring for his daughter's junior season with a degree in hand, ready to impart more wisdom on his players.
"I told the girls this is a game," Moniz said. "Pressure in life is trying to figure out what you're gonna eat the next day. There's so much people doing hard stuff in life that you get the opportunity to come out and play."
Christian Shimabuku can be reached at christian@alohastatedaily.com.
