Three days after a disappointing upset loss to end a tumultuous season, Reggie Torres said yesterday he wants to stay on as Kahuku High School's football coach for at least one more year.

Torres, speaking at the Honolulu Quarterback Club's weekly luncheon, acknowledged that in his 23 years as a coach in three different sports (football, wrestling and judo), this past season was his toughest.

"It was tough on the players, tough on the fans, tough on me and my staff," Torres said. "But I think it made us all better people. The players learned lessons to take back with them, the community learned a lot, I learned a lot, the (other) coaches learned a lot. We'll be ready if it happens again."

"It" was a season-long saga that unfolded after an 0-2 start and climaxed earlier this month with a community petition to get him fired and a partial team boycott of practice. Many alumni and fans were upset about a 27-0 loss to the Utah 5A state champion, and players were unhappy with Torres' strict rules, especially regarding on-field celebrations and showing emotion.

The issues eventually were resolved, but the season ended abruptly at 6-3 when the Red Raiders were upset 14-7 by Kapolei in Friday's O'ahu Interscholastic Association quarterfinals. It was Kahuku's first home loss since 1999, and first home loss to a Hawai'i team since 1996.

But despite the Red Raiders' three lost fumbles, an interception and 110 yards in penalties, Torres said there were positive signs throughout the game.

"The team really bonded, they really came together," he said. "The players just started to understand some of the concepts we had been trying to teach, and then it was over. That was the saddest part."

Torres said he did not receive any negative reaction from parents or fans after the game or during the weekend. Kahuku athletic director Joe Whitford, who also spoke at the Quarterback Club luncheon yesterday, said the program is moving forward.

"We support the football coach, we think he did a fantastic job," Whitford said. "Things are going well. Even though we lost, we'll be back next year."

Torres said he "told the kids (the season's drama) was not their fault," and he is still reflecting on the events that unfolded.

"I do that after every sports season," Torres said. "I look at how we can make the program better, what kind of things we need to do, from top to bottom."

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.