Specialists lead way for Kamehameha

Kumoku Noa scored three touchdowns, including an 84-yard kick return and a 74-yard punt return, as No. 5 Kamehameha pulled away in the second half for a 33-13 win over Waianae on Friday night.

A crowd of about 2,000 watched the nonconference battle at Raymond Torii Field.

“It’s all my special teams coach, Coach (Dennis) McKnight,” said Noa, who also scored on a 47-yard pass from Thomas “Boogie” Yam. “We take a lot of time for special teams. It’s so important because it can be a game-changer.”

Alema Kapoi anchored the front seven for Kamehameha, which didn’t allow a point after the first quarter.

“Our defensive line, we preach pass rush on third down. If we can win the one-on-one battles, we should win the game,” said Kapoi, who had two of his team’s six sacks.

The home team bolted to an early lead thanks to a 66-yard blast up the gut by Ezkiah Moniz-Hopeau on Waianae’s opening series.

Kamehameha followed with a nine-play, 69-yard drive with sophomore Yam at the controls. Kanoa Shannon’s 1-yard touchdown run capped the no-huddle drive and the game was tied at 6.

Waianae got a big play on special teams a moment after Kamehameha’s fake punt and pass completion was nullified by penalty. The ensuing punt snap sailed over Adam Stack’s head, and after he hustled after the ball, his punt was blocked. Jaylen Gonzales recovered for Waianae in the end zone, giving the home team a 13-6 lead.

Again, Kamehameha stole Waianae’s momentum. Noa returned the kickoff 84 yards to paydirt for the first of his three scores, tying the game with 4:39 left in the first quarter.

From there, Kamehameha’s stingy run defense and persistent pass rush took command.

Stack, who drilled four kickoffs for touchbacks, connected on a 31-yard field goal for a 16-13 Warriors lead early in the second quarter, then hit a 27-yarder early in the third for a 19-13 lead.

Noa then hauled in a 47-yard bomb from Yam, and followed that with his long punt return to the end zone as Kamehameha opened the lead to 33-13 late in the third stanza.

Waianae entered the game winless against Kamehameha since 1998, when the Seariders beat the Warriors at Aloha Stadium. Kamehameha leads the series, which began in 1970, 7-4.

WAI—Ezkiah Moniz-Hopeau 66 run (kick failed)

KS—Kanoa Shannon 1 run (pass failed)

WAI—Jaylen Gonzales blocked punt recovery in end zone (Makana Roque-Gonzales kick)

KS—Kumoku Noa 84 kick return (Adam Stack kick)

KS—Stack FG 31

KS—Stack FG 27

KS—Noa 47 pass from Boogie Yam (Stack kick)

KS—Noa 73 punt return (Stack kick)

RUSHING—Kamehameha: Jordan Bayudan 7-54, Fatu Sua-Godinet 1-3, Boogie Yam 3-16, Shannon 6-53, Jaykob Cabunoc 1-(-7), Brayden Miyamoto 7-21, team 1-(-2), Koby Ford 3-(-1), Noa 1-4, Matthew Aio 6-26, Sheldon Rosa 1-2. Waianae: Javen Towne 9-12, Kade Ambrocio 6-14, Moniz-Hopeau 4-78, Solofua Grey 5-7, Jaren Ulu 9-(-28), team 1-(-7), Charles Mamala 1-17, Royce Carrick 2-4, Nicholas Kelekoa 2-33.

PASSING—Kamehameha: Noa 0-1-0-0, Yam 9-18-0-147, Justice Young 1-2-0-0. Waianae: Ulu 9-20-0-106.

RECEIVING—Kamehameha: Cabunoc 4-85, Sua-Godinet 3-11, Noa 2-45, Shannon 1-6. Waianae: Isaiah Freeney 3-63, Jeresalem Tootoo 2-22, Moniz-Hopeau 1-8, Kelekoa 1-6, Grey 1-4, Jordan Marquez-Pacapac 1-3.

JV—Kamehameha 30, Waianae 16.