Iriarte’s TD passes help Radford cruise

Radford finally got to play an entire game.

Quintin Iriarte threw for four touchdowns and ran for two more as the Rams beat Kalani 53-6 in an OIA Division II game on Friday night at Aiea.

Radford (3-0, 3-0 OIA D-II) entered Friday’s game relatively short on game experience. The Rams won their first game by forfeit over Anuenue, then had a 43-0 win over Roosevelt last weekend in a game that was called at halftime because of inclement weather.

"They had the opportunity to execute for four quarters," said Radford coach Fred Salanoa. "Too many times you only play one quarter, two quarters and you’re not ready to play a full game. As we get deeper into the season, I’m not taking anything from Kalani, we got to have the stamina to last a full four quarters. That’s what I was looking for tonight from our players."

The full game allowed Radford to work out its plays. Salanoa said the game showed him areas the team needs to focus on.

"It was good for them, good to get some (of) our kinks out," Salanoa said. "There’s still too many penalties going on, but I think those are penalties we can fix, more so effort penalties, which I’m OK with."

The Rams scored four times in the first quarter, with Iriarte accounting for three touchdowns. Blaise Manabe, a Kalani transfer, hauled in a 59-yard pass from Iriarte on the second play of the game to give Radford a 6-0 lead.

Iriarte’s 26-yard run and Roman Gennero’s PAT made it 13-0 with 7:47 left. Iriarte connected with Manabe again late in the first quarter to extend Radford’s lead to 26-6.

Iriarte’s 62-yard run and Gennero’s PAT made it 33-6 midway through the second quarter. Iriarte connected with Thomas Reid on a 60-yard pass to give Radford a 40-6 halftime lead. Iriarte threw for 223 yards and rushed for 88.

"We try to get everyone the ball, we don’t have one special player on the team we go to," Salanoa said. "We can spread the ball around. Q does a good job. He’s still learning the position. He’s a transfer from Guam, he came from a predominantly running (program). He’s learning the passing side of it. It’s a work in progress with him. Hopefully he gets better as the weeks go by."

Manabe had four receptions for 121 yards. Radford’s Ace Faumui, another Kalani transfer, intercepted Kalani quarterback Seth Tina in the second quarter. Faumui rushed for 67 yards.

Jaemi Harris scored for Kalani (1-3, 1-2 OIA D-II) in the first quarter on a 55-yard run. Harris finished with 99 rushing yards.

"I have a lot of respect for (Kalani) and coach Greg Taguchi," Salanoa said. "They have a pretty good team. I think you have to tip your hat to them. They never gave up at any point."