Kailua goes to 5-0 behind tough ‘D’
2015 September 4 SPT - Kailua's Christian Mejia (18) works to bring down Campbell's Fangaima Mailei (8) with the help of Keiki o Namahiai Kanahele-Santos (16) during the first half of an OIA football game between the Kailua Surfriders and the Campbell Sabers on Friday, September 4, 2015 at Alex Kane Stadium in Kailua. (Jamm Aquino/The Honolulu Star-Advertiser).
Christian Mejia had four sacks as No. 7 Kailua thwarted Campbell 34-21 on Friday night at Alex Kane Stadium.
The Surfriders improved to 5-0 overall and 4-0 in the OIA Blue, providing fans with a Cinderella tale.
Mejia also had a crucial third-down reception in the second half, using his 6-foot-4, 210-pound frame as a big target for quarterback Noah Auld.
"Mejia was exceptional. Our two defensive tackles and (Kawehe) Kohatsu allow (Mejia) to get 1-on-1 opportunities," Surfriders coach Joseph Hau’oli Wong said.
Auld finished 13-for-22 for 166 yards, three touchdowns and no picks. The senior was efficient and heady, rushing for 35 yards on five carries, including three first-down jaunts down either sideline.
"It’s a good team win," said Auld, a three-sport standout. "Campbell’s a great team. They fight to the end."
It may have been the best performance to date for the visiting Sabers, who dropped to 0-3 in league play (0-4) despite leading 21-14 during the second quarter. Kawika Ulufale passed for 187 yards and two TDs in the first half, but sat for much of the second half.
Kailua’s defense stiffened in the second half and never gave the Sabers a chance to establish anything on the ground. With standout running back Terrell Johnson still sidelined by injury, Campbell mustered 20 rushing yards on 21 attempts.
Now the Surfriders have their eyes on more conquests after several seasons of struggle.
"5-0 doesn’t mean nothing to us," Auld said. "We can’t stop. We’re going to keep working hard and get ready for another game next week."
Wong kept it in perspective.
"The second half of our schedule is the meat of the division. We’ve got to keep each other healthy and take care of our class work," he said.
After a wild, seesaw offensive explosion by both teams, Kailua tied the game at 21 on a 15-yard TD pass from Auld to Martin Tigilau midway through the second quarter.
The Surfriders took the lead for good on a 10-yard pass from Auld to Koolau Gaspar that was actually intended for Tigilau, who tipped the ball near the goal line. Gaspar clutched the ball for a TD in the back of the end zone for a 27-21 Kailua lead going into the half.
