Kailua holds on in opener

Kailua’s defense held tough just long enough for a season-opening victory.

The Surfriders kept Moanalua’s air attack in check and stuffed Na Menehune on the ground for a 16-13 win on Saturday night at Kailua.

Senior Mark Lagazo was a do-it-all threat for the Surfriders, rolling up 100 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries, plus another 82 yards on three receptions. He sometimes took direct snaps at quarterback in relief of Keoni Serikawa and even played cornerback.

“I like the pressure, because it pushes me to go forward and to make big plays for the team,” said Lagazo, who credited his linemen. “We all played for each other.”

Moanalua (1-1, 0-1) got things going offensively in the second half once quarterback Alakai Yuen entered — he missed the first half due to team reasons — but Na Menehune could not overcome its minus-67-yard total on the ground.

The game’s deciding score was a fumble recovery in the end zone by utility man Alika Teramoto with 2:24 left.

“It’s funny because on all levels — high school, college and pro — defense has always had the upper hand on offense,” said Kailua coach Joseph Wong, a former NFL lineman. “I just told them you gotta hang in there, keep playing defense, and when our offense clicks we’re going to be hard to stop.”

In what was a mighty offensive struggle early, Kailua got on the board with 10:23 to go in the second quarter — but only because Moanalua had consecutive snaps sail over backup quarterback Ezra Grace’s head. The second went out the back of the end zone for a Surfriders safety.

That would be it for the half.

Moanalua receiver Ryan Ramones had a field day last week against Damien — five touchdown hauls — but was held in check with Yuen out. He had just two grabs for 6 yards in the first half.

Yuen needed all of two plays to get Ramones and his team going to open the third. While taking contact, he slung it to his favorite target for a 16-yard touchdown. A 2-point conversion try failed and it was 6-2 Moanalua.

Kailua responded behind Lagazo, who made an amazing one-handed grab across the middle and took it 54 yards into the red zone. Three plays later, Lagazo punched it in from 2 yards for a 9-6 lead.

Kailua gradually won the field position battle from there. Teramoto nailed a perfect 33-yard punt that sailed out at the 2. Moanalua, pinned deep, was eventually forced to punt.

“He made a hell of a punt,” Wong said. “That was Reggie Roby, Ray Guy, whoever you want to say. He put it out on the 2-yard line. It doesn’t get any better than that.”

After a Moanalua stand at the 1, Yuen advanced it to the 7, but on the next play the signal-caller was ambushed and trapped as he retreated in the end zone. He fumbled it into the eager hands of Teramoto, one of his pursuers. Suddenly the hosts were up 16-6.

Moanalua had one last gasp. Yuen (110 yards) orchestrated a 53-yard scoring drive featuring two great grabs by Ramones. Rylan Miguel snared a 1-yard strike from Yuen and Na Menehune were back within three with 1:09 remaining.

Yuen’s onside-kick attempt was too strong, however, and sailed out of bounds. Moanalua was out of timeouts and Kailua took a knee to end it.

Moanalua coach Savai’i Eselu thought his team ran out of gas late.

As for Yuen’s absence, Eselu said, “It’s a big message that I want to send, that’s it’s not just about football; it’s about taking care of each other as a family. Hat’s off to Coach Wong, because I know exactly what he’s doing here and I admire what he’s doing.”

Christian Mejia, Kailua’s senior All-State defensive end, had a blocked punt and sack in the first half.