Damien tops Kaimuki for second straight win

Damien is unbeaten after two games and that’s not something the Monarchs are used to.

The Monarchs took command Friday night to beat Kaimuki 31-21 in an interleague football game at Mililani’s John Kauinana Stadium.

After going winless a year ago, coach Eddie Klaneski is thrilled.

"We’re just happy," he said after the win. "So happy for our kids, for our supporters. It means a lot to get some wins. They’ve been waiting a long time. We’re trying to change the culture here."

Syles Choy passed for 131 yards and scored two touchdowns to lead the Damien offense, which also got a boost from the hard running of Kyle Sato, who rushed for 81 yards. The Monarchs had 190 yards rushing overall in their balanced attack.

Kaimuki grabbed a 7-0 lead in the first quarter when Zac Bastatas hauled in a 39-yard pass from Kainalu Spencer.

But Damien turned the tables with a 66-yard drive, capped by Choy’s 1-yard plunge for a touchdown at the end of the first quarter. It was the start of 24 unanswered points.

Defense was a big factor for the Monarchs, as well. They had three interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Jameson White started the turnover spree with a 50-yard interception return for a 14-7 lead.

Lyle Alloy-Glover’s 25-yard field goal made it 17-7 at the half.

Jashon Ching turned in a huge performance with two interceptions for Damien, while Kana’i Picanco and Brian Lam came up with fumble recoveries.

"We dug ourselves into a hole we couldn’t get out of," said coach Clint Onigama, whose Bulldogs dropped to 0-2. "We got out of our game plan. We’ve got to cut our mistakes."

Choy tossed a 5-yard touchdown pass to Bryson Dalmacio in the third quarter and later scrambled for an 18-yard TD.

Spencer, who threw for 190 yards, kept Kaimuki in the game with two second-half TD passes — a 39-yarder to Fano Tuisila and a 4-yarder to Bastatas for the latter’s second score.

Bastatas, a two-way contributor, picked off a pass, one of two turnovers the Bulldogs capitalized on. Swarrengen Sellet helped out the Kaimuki defensive effort with one and a half sacks.