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‘Iolani’s dedication to the run game was on full display at Aloha Stadium on Saturday night.
Senior running back Kaua Nishigaya rushed for a career-high 226 yards on 41 carries and a record kick from senior Mika Makekau helped the Raiders beat No. 10 Damien 30-19 in a crucial ILH Division I showdown.
Quarterback Jonah Chong accounted for two touchdowns and linebacker Lanakila Pei added a 73-yard punt return for a score for the Raiders (4-2, 3-1 ILH D-I), who won the only head-to-head meeting against the Monarchs (3-2, 3-1) this season to secure a big win toward its state tournament hopes.
“We had to do what we planned to do,” ‘Iolani coach Wendell Look said. “It’s one more win and one less loss. We’ve got a long way to go.”
Nishigaya, who is listed at 5 feet 5, became the fifth ‘Iolani running back to top 200 yards in the 99 all-time meetings between the two schools.
Makekau added three field goals, including a record 44-yarder to end ‘Iolani’s first drive of the second half.
The 44-yard kick was a state record for a female and 4 yards short of the national record set by Heidi Garrett of Martin Luther King High School in Calif., in 2004.
“It’s a combined effort,” Makekau said. “I couldn’t do it without my holder. I just stare at the tee. I only have one vision. It’s my job. I’ve got to do it. My longest at practice is 48.”
‘Iolani and Damien are tied at 3-1 in the race for the ILH’s lone spot in the Division I state tournament, but the Raiders now hold the head-to-head tiebreaker. The team to advance to states is determined by the best record in the regular season.
A competitive first half swung ‘Iolani’s way when the Raiders completed a 16-play, 80-yard drive to score their first touchdown with 16 seconds left before intermission.
Junior receiver Carter Kamana, who had 12 catches for 142 yards, scored on a 7-yard toss from Chong, who threw for 203 yards on 21-for-34 passing.
Makekau’s kick to open the second half put ‘Iolani ahead 13-6 and Chong scored on a 20-yard quarterback keeper after Nishigaya had begun to gash the Damien defense.
Nishigaya finished with 146 of his 226 rushing yards in the second half.
“If Kaua has to run 50 times he’ll run 50 times,” Look said. “That’s been our thing. That’s how you win games.”
Pei’s punt return put ‘Iolani ahead 27-6 with 1:59 remaining in the third quarter and Nishigaya finished the game off on the ground.
Damien quarterback Jake Holtz ended up with 287 passing yards and three touchdowns and Lindon Sevilleja was the Monarchs’ top receiver with 120 yards and two scores on seven receptions.
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GAME SUMMARY
‘Iolani 30, Damien 19
At Aloha Stadium
>> ‘Iolani (4-2, 3-1) 3 7 17 3 — 30
>> Damien (3-2, 3-1) 6 0 0 13 — 19
‘Iolani — FG Mika Makekau 27
Damien — Lindon Sevilleja 53 pass from Jake Holtz (kick failed)
‘Iolani — Carter Kamana 7 pass from Jonah Chong (Makekau kick)
‘Iolani — FG Makekau 44
‘Iolani — Chong 20 run (Makekau kick)
‘Iolani — Lanakila Pei 73 punt return (Makekau kick)
Damien — Sevilleja 17 pass from Holt (Christian Souza kick)
‘Iolani — FG Makekau 28
Damien — Jarvis Natividad 7 pass from Holtz (run failed)
RUSHING — ‘Iolani: Kaua Nishigaya 41-226, Chong 5-(minus 3), team 3-(minus 24). Damien: Logan Lauti 4-31, Aperamo Sulu 11-28, Holtz 4-25, team 1-(minus 2).
PASSING —‘Iolani: Chong 21-34–0-203. Damien: Holtz 24-34-1-287.
RECEIVING — ‘Iolani: Kamana 12–142, Jonah Miyazawa 4-44, Nishigaya 3-3, Rayden Kaneshiro 2-14. Damien: Lauti 8-85, Sevilleja 7-120, Natividad 5-54, Sulu 3-24, Alohi Arecchi 1-4.
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