Jorell Pontes-Borje was opportunistic and precise.
Not bad for a third-stringer. The backup’s backup quarterback fired two touchdown passes in the first half as No. 9 Waianae overpowered Leilehua 50-28 on Friday night at Hugh Yoshida Stadium.
Pontes-Borje was thrust into the limelight when starter Jaren Ulu was benched for disciplinary reasons. Pontes-Borje then took the field during Waianae’s second series and directed Waianae’s run-heavy offense with authority.
Waianae improved to 3-0 in the OIA Red (3-1 overall) in Walter Young’s first year as head coach. The visitors rushed 49 times for 192 yards, and their three passers — Ulu started the second half, as expected — threw for three combined TDs without taking a sack. In all, Waianae quarterbacks were 8-for-13 for 111 yards in a very efficient, power-oriented attack.
Leilehua slipped to 0-2 in OIA Red play (0-3 overall).
With Ulu sitting the first half, Quinn Searle took over. He had trouble with the snap on each of Waianae’s first two series, and Pontes-Borje took over during the second possession.
He eventually drove Waianae downfield for two touchdowns, both set up by a ground-and-pound attack between the tackles. Pontes-Borje connected with Royce Carrick on a 20-yard pass for the first TD — busted coverage had Carrick wide open at the goal line — with 8:53 left in the first quarter.
After Connor Murakami got Leilehua on the scoreboard with a 21-yard field goal, Pontes-Borje led the Seariders on a 10-play, 57-yard drive. He found Isaiah Freeney on a post route for a 19-yard scoring strike and the visitors led 14-3 with 2:29 to go in the first half.
Waianae then recovered an onside kick that was disputed by Mules coach Nolan Tokuda. Three plays later, Pontes-Borje lost control of the ball on a botched handoff and Bryson Caminos Kekahuna recovered for Leilehua at their 45-yard line.
Kona Andres then directed the Mules 55 yards in eight plays. A roughing-the-passer call on Waianae helped the Mules, and Andres found running back Jadan Gilliland wide open on the left side for an easy 11-yard touchdown play with 33 seconds left in the half. That cut the lead to 14-10 entering halftime.
Ulu sparked his first series of the second half with a 20-yard option keeper on third-and-10, and Javen Towne scored two plays later on a 1-yard run.
Leilehua answered with a 63-yard kick return by Elijah Kahoopii, and Andres found Ty Keough for a 15-yard touchdown pass to keep Leilehua within range at 21-17 with 9:51 left in the third quarter.
But Waianae simply wore down Leilehua’s front seven with smashmouth football. That set up another Ulu TD pass, this one of 15 yards to a wide-open Kade Ambrocio on the left side. The running back scored untouched and the lead was 28-17.
An interception and 85-yard return to the end zone by Mosiah Brame broke the game open. The Seariders led 42-20 with 7:54 remaining.
Roosevelt 17, Waialua 14, 2OT
The Rough Riders prevented the Bulldogs from their first 4-0 start in the Prep Bowl and state championship era when Dillon Yamamoto kicked a 29-yard field goal and the Roosevelt defense stopped Waialua on its final possession to pull out a dramatic victory.
The game was tied 7-7 when both teams scored on their opening possessions in the first OT period.
Bulldogs quarterback Royce Tashiro scored on a 10-yard touchdown run.
Roosevelt answered when Shayne Teruya caught his second touchdown of the game.
Teruya finished with eight catches for 132 yards.
Roosevelt hadn’t played an overtime game since beating Kaiser 22-16 in double overtime in its final game of the 2010 season. The Bulldogs hadn’t played in one in games dating back to 1973.
The Rough Riders improved to 2-2 overall and 1-2 in the OIA D-II, while Waialua fell to 4-1 and 3-1.
Roosevelt has won five of its last seven games dating back to last season after going 2-28 over the previous 30.
Murrieta Mesa 39, St. Francis 0
The St. Francis offense couldn’t get going against Murrieta Mesa as the Rams held Saints quarterback Scott McLeod to just 25 passing yards on their way to a shutout.
