Kailua back in playoff form with trouncing of Waipahu

Kailua ended its playoff victory drought with a 57-6 rout of Waipahu in the first round of the Oahu Interscholastic Association football playoffs at Alex Kane Stadium on Friday night.

For their efforts, the ninth-ranked and third-seeded Surfriders (7-2) get a date with second-seeded Waianae (6-2) out West in next weekend’s quarterfinals.

Kailua’s previous playoff win came in 2009, 21-0 over Campbell.

"I was a lot more nervous for this game than I have been for any other game this season," said Surfriders second-year coach Joe Wong, who has turned the program around from winless cellar-dwellers in one season. "It’s good to get this one. But we’re never going to be satisfied with just one. Waianae comes right at you and hits you in the mouth. It’s going to be a classic heavyweight bout."

The scoring came early and often for the Surfriders offense, and on the other side of the ball, defensive ends Christian Mejia and Kawehe Kohatsu created chaos in the Marauders’ backfield.

The Kailua defense was especially devastating to Waipahu quarterback Blaise De Asis, who was sacked five times, including two by Mejia.

"When I get back to the school, I’m going to talk about commitment (the players need) in the offseason," first-year Waipahu coach Bryson Carvalho said. "We’ve had problems with grades and it’s hurt us all season. The first year is in the books. It’s important for them to understand that what they do off the field translates to on the field."

Kailua quarterback Noah Auld had the offense in gear, going 10-for-17 for 251 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. Two of the TD throws were to Koolau Gaspar.

"We have to look ahead (to Waianae) and not become complacent," said Nillson Gaisoa, who, at 6 feet 5, 270 pounds, is one of two massive and talented tackles on the Kailua line. The other is 6-5, 265-pound Sione Veikoso. "They (Waianae) look like a difficult team, but any team can be beaten."

Gaspar’s TD catches of 74 and 34 yards in the first quarter, along with Dalton Kalama’s 5-yard TD run, gave Kailua a quick 19-0 lead.

Gabriel Lelesch, a 5-8, 160-poound running back for Kailua, had just three carries and scored on two of them — from 10 and 44 yards out, one in each half.

The Surfriders’ defense contributed to the output on the scoreboard in the second quarter, when De Asis was pressured by Kohatsu in his own end zone and was called for intentional grounding and a safety. Kailua defensive back Kory Bernardino set up one of his team’s touchdowns with a second-quarter fumble recovery.

Kalei Kealoha-Machado’s 34-yard punt return also led to a TD — Auld’s 3-yard toss to Kohatsu for a 43-0 lead late in the first half.

Waipahu (1-7) broke through for its only touchdown with 3:58 to go before the break, as De Asis hit Andrew Simanu in stride for a 49-yard connection.

"Waipahu is a good team and they’ve put up a bunch of points on some good teams," Wong said. "We game-planned for them the same way we game-planned for (No. 4 and defending state champion) Mililani (a 45-21 loss)."