Pearl City takes it to Kaimuki early and often

Pearl City had no problem finding the end zone in its 46-13 win over Kaimuki in an OIA Division II game on Friday.

The host Chargers (3-0) scored on the game’s first play, Dominic Maneafaiga returning the kickoff 81 yards for a score. It was one of his four touchdowns as the Chargers found multiple ways into the end zone.

"That bust the bubble, it took the air out of them," Pearl City coach Robin Kami said. "That was a big key, the kickoff return, the first play of the game."

Maneafaiga rushed seven times for 148 yards and two touchdowns. He also had three receptions for 24 yards.

Pearl City quarterback Jordan Taamu completed 11 of 18 passes for 129 yards and three touchdowns. 

"He’s very smart, stays in the pocket, and looks down for receivers," Maneafaiga said of Taamu.

Pearl City scored three touchdowns in the second quarter to break the game open. Taamu threw two touchdowns and Maneafaiga scored on a 62-yard run to put the Chargers ahead 33-13 with 5:43 remaining.

"We looked at their size as intimidation," Maneafaiga said of Kaimuki. "But as the game got going, we did our own thing."

The Chargers have been stingy on defense, allowing just one touchdown in each of its previous two wins. Kyler Mano sacked Kaimuki quarterback Tevita Lino twice. Pjay Solomon recovered a fumble and scored from 7 yards out to put Pearl City up 39-13 with 7:50 left in the third.

"The defense is putting us in good field position, so that’s helping us out," Kami said. "We don’t have to drive 80 yards — it’s 50 or 40. We’re trying to have a balanced offense this year instead of one dimension. We want to run and pass this year."

Kaimuki (1-1) had its own 81-yard kickoff return in the second quarter by Sean Noda with 8:50 remaining. Noda bounced off several defenders at midfield before breaking free and streaking down the left sideline.

PC–Dominic Maneafaiga 81 kickoff return (kick failed)

PC–MJ Keopuhiwa 6 pass from Jordan Taamu (Maneafaiga pass from Taamu)

Kaim–Nixon Siona 8 pass from Tevita Lino (kick failed)

PC–Maneafaiga 10 pass from Taamu (kick failed)

Kaim–Sean Noda 81 kickoff return (Dathan Lloyd kick)

PC–Keelan Domingo-Ishikawa 10 pass from Taamu (Joseph Komomua kick)

PC–Maneafaiga 62 run (kick failed)

PC–Pjay Solomon 7 fumble return (Komomua kick)

PC–Maneafaiga 20 run (kick failed)

RUSHING–Kaimuki: Lino 5-49, Calton Joseph 1-2, Cain Asiata 1-2, Noda 8-1, Dathan Lloyd 1-0, Daniel Nguyen 1-(minus-6). Pearl City: Maneafaiga 7-148, Jarrett Sanchez 7-38, Taamu 2-37, Keopuhiwa 10-24.

PASSING–Kaimuki: Lino 5-14-1-40, Nguyen 0-1-0-0. Pearl City: Taamu 11-18-0-129.

RECEIVING–Kaimuki: Ieke Seei-Cleveland 2-19, Siona 2-14, Noda 1-7. Pearl City: Maneafaiga 3-24, Kavossie Mason 2-32, Keopuhiwa 2-24, Garrett Kanamu 1-15, Domingo-Ishikawa 1-10, Cayman Amorin 1-16, Chyson Gasper 1-8.

Junior varsity–Pearl City 42, Kaimuki 0