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If Kahuku fans needed a little prime-time drama on homecoming night, they got plenty.
Maybe too much. The top-ranked Red Raiders needed a 30-yard touchdown run by Aofaga Wily with 5:45 remaining to pull out a 14-7 win over Moanalua on Friday night.
A festive crowd of about 4,500 saw Kahuku improve to 4-0 in the Oahu Interscholastic Association Red East (6-0 overall) despite a lethargic offensive performance and poor field position for much of the game. The credit for that can go to Moanalua’s physical, hustling defense.
“You always want to win a game, but obviously that’s a great football team over there,” Moanalua coach Arnold Martinez said. “We’re a good football team, too. We’re driving and we ended with turnovers, and the missed field goals. They’ve got some great athletes there. Our defense was stellar again, special teams. We just have to execute the best we can, and if we don’t, Kahuku will take advantage.”
Wily finished with 181 yards on 24 carries despite a gimpy ankle. The junior gained 137 yards after the extended halftime homecoming show as Kahuku’s offensive line wore down Moanalua just enough. Wily read his blockers on stretch play after stretch play.
With the game tied at 7, Kahuku drove 67 yards in five plays with Wily gaining 7 yards, 11 yards and then 30 more to paydirt.
Moanalua’s ensuing series provided some offensive sparks. Dillon Turk, facing a bruising pass rush all night, completed passes to Marciano Tauvela, Chad Aragon and Jay Laudato, but the drive got no further than the Kahuku 45-yard line.
A screen pass that netted minus 10 yards was followed by an offensive pass interference flag — a loss of 15 yards and a loss of down. On third and 35, Moanalua needed a miracle, and it was not to be.
Na Menehune’s prayers were answered earlier in the game after its defense stopped Kahuku on downs at the Moanalua 30-yard line. On the ensuing play, slotback Christian Akana took a toss, lured the defense in and hoisted a spiral downfield to Jon-Michael Sharsh, who was wide open and sprinted the remaining 40 yards for a 70-yard touchdown play. That tied the game at 7-all late in the third quarter.
“Ah, I can’t say we played good defense. We gave up that touchdown and we knew about that play all week,” Kahuku defensive coordinator Kimo Haiola said. “Our corner bit and the safety should be up on top. You cannot be happy about that because other teams will see that and put it in. We’re gonna get better at it.”
That turned out to be one of the few miscues by Kahuku’s defense, which limited Moanalua to 46 rushing yards on 26 attempts. Turk finished 18-for-34 for 157 yards with three interceptions. Two of the picks were by Kawehena Johnson, including a diving snag of the ball deep in Kahuku territory on a slant route.
Mason Kualii-Moe’s interception on the first play of scrimmage set up Kahuku’s first score. Johnson, who started at quarterback and split time there with Viliami Livai, scampered 19 yards for a touchdown to give the home team a 7-0 lead with 10:22 to go in the opening quarter.
Johnson matched his two interceptions on defense by tossing two on offense in his first start at the position. He got the nod after Livai missed a week of practice due to an injury, offensive coordinator Sterling Carvalho said.
“Kawe got the reps, and over here, he never allowed Lasi back in,” Carvalho said. “Kawe gives us a dual threat with his mobility. It’s something we’re going to look at. Hopefully, something other teams see, too. He’s football smart.”
On his scrambles outside the pocket, Johnson had gains of 19, 13 and 18 yards.
Moanalua’s defense permitted just one pass completion and intercepted Kahuku passers three times with picks by Branen Oliveros, Hardy Tautolo and Drake Strothoff. But they couldn’t completely shut down Kahuku’s ground attack.
Kahuku finished with 275 rushing yards on 51 attempts.
| MOANALUA (3-3, 2-2) | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | — | 7 |
| KAHUKU (6-0, 4-0) | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | — | 14 |
|
OIA RED EAST
OIA RED WEST
OIA WHITE
|
Kah—Kawehena Johnson 19 run (Kekahu Aluli kick)
Moa—Jon-Michael Sharsh 70 pass from Christian Akana (Lee Arakawa kick)
Kah—Aofaga Wily 30 run (Aluli kick)
RUSHING—Moanalua: Jay Laudato 20-39, Dillon Turk 5-8, Kaleo Yanai 1-(-1). Kahuku: Wily 24-181, Mahonilai Fakatou 9-36, Johnson 8-33, Viliami Livai 4-17, Sterling Moe 5-9, TEAM 1-(-1).
PASSING—Moanalua: Turk 18-34-3-157, Akana 1-3-0-70. Kahuku: Livai 0-4-1-0, Johnson 1-3-2-11.
RECEIVING—Moanalua: Laudato 5-12, Akana 4-19, Donald Lambert 3-56, Mariano Tauvela 3-34, Sharsh 2-88, Chad Aragon 1-9, Anthony Bowen 1-9. Kahuku: Norman Solomon-Unga 1-11.
Castle 48, Roosevelt 19
Olycon Finau scored twice on the ground as the Knights defeated the Rough Riders. Castle quarterback Kela Shea passed for three touchdowns in the win.
| CASTLE (2-2, 2-4) | 21 | 7 | 13 | 7 | — | 48 |
| ROOSEVELT (0-4, 0-6) | 0 | 6 | 13 | 0 | — | 19 |
Cast—Olycon Finau 1 run (Adam Aquino kick)
Cast—Jacob Martin 43 pass from Kela Shea (Aquino kick)
Cast—Kamalei Kam-Aweau 56 punt return (Aquino kick)
Roos—Toa Fola 2 run (kick failed)
Cast—Finau 4 run (Aquino kick)
Roos—Leland Kahoohilihala 6 pass from Fola (pass conversion failed)
Cast—Layne 20 pass from Shea (Aquino kick)
Roos—Alani Uyeno 69 pass from Fola (Lopaka Boyd kick)
Cast—Teawe Olds 25 pass from Shea (kick failed)
Cast—Theodore Locey 41 pass from Sabu Kekoanui (Aquino kick)
RUSHING—Castle: Finau 14-76, Bula Clayton 1-14, Kam-Aweau 1-11, Shea 6-8, Ulii McFadden 2-5, Kekoanui 1-(-3). Roosevelt: Donnevon Ito 4-22, Anuenue Tui 2-7, Allen Rubon 1-5, Fola 16-3, Cayden Joaquin 2-0, Kainoa Koki 1-(-5).
PASSING—Castle: Shea 12-27-1-147, Kekoanui 3-5-0-64. Roosevelt: Fola 5-23-3-127.
RECEIVING—Castle: Olds 3-50, Ted Locey 2-48, Layrie Suyat 2-28, Cullen Shroma-Fernandez 2-14, Martin 1-43, Clayton 1-9, Kekoanui 1-7, Chase Sagawinit 1-6, Aweau 1-4, Kainoa Kipapa 1-2. Roosevelt: Kahooilihala 3-47, Uyeno 1-69, Adam Lee Soon 1-11.
Junior varsity—Castle 28, Roosevelt 9
OIA WHITE
Anuenue 48, Nanakuli 40
Kainalu Kaleo ran for 250 yards and three scores as Na Koa defeated the Golden Hawks. Teammate Mahuka Cullen scored once, rushed for 125 yards and converted three of Anuenue’s six 2-point conversions.
| ANUENUE (2-3, 2-3) 16 | 8 | 0 | 24 | — | 48 | |
| NANAKULI (1-5, 1-6) 0 | 20 | 0 | 20 | — | 40 |
Anue—Kakela Lee 12 run (Cullen run)
Anue—Cullen 11 run (Cullen run)
Anue—Kaleo 38 run (Cullen run)
Nan—Nyenoa Ulangca-Kauweloa 12 run (run failed)
Nan—Nolan Kanui 40 interception return (Brandon Felisi 7 pass from Ulangca-Kauweloa)
Nan—Jamaal Winston 14 run (pass failed)
Anue—Kaleo 4 run (Laakea Mano‘i-Hyde run)
Anue—Mano‘i-Hyde 17 run (Mano‘i-Hyde run)
Nan—Ulangca-Kauweloa 3 run (run failed)
Nan—Winston 46 pass from Ulangca-Kauwela (Brady Kaaihue pass from Ulangca-Kauweloa)
Anue—Kaleo 96 run (Mano‘i-Hyde run)
Nan—Brandon Felisi 8 pass from Ulangca-Lauwela (run failed)
RUSHING—Anuenue: Kaleo 20-250, Cullen 13-125, Lee 5-54, Mano‘i-Hyde 5-43, Hemakana Yam-Lum 4-20. Nanakuli: Charles Garcia 3-81, Kaaihue 6-35, Felisi 4-29, Joshua Gohier 4-25, Winston 1-14, Ulangca-Kauweloa 8-(-6).
PASSING—Anuenue: Yam Lum 0-1-0-0. Nanakuli: Ulangca-Kauweloa 16-31-0-168.
RECEIVING—Anuenue: none. Nanakuli: Felisi 7-65, Aubrey Marshall 3-40, Brady Kaaihue 3-34, Winston 3-29.
Pearl City 34, Waialua 6
Kaimi Paredes threw for 172 yards and four touchdowns as the Chargers defeated the Bulldogs.
| WAIALUA (0-6, 0-6) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | — | 6 |
| PEARL CITY (5-0, 5-1) | 8 | 6 | 6 | 14 | — | 34 |
PC—David Laranol 20 pass from Kaimi Paredes (Kelson Laboy run)
PC—Adrian Fonoimoana-Hall 42 pass from Paredes (kick failed)
PC—Shawn Lopez 12 pass from Paredes (kick failed)
PC—Rakeel McMillian 6 run (run failed)
PC—Laboy 25 pass from Paredes (Laboy pass from Paredes)
Waialua—Christopher Gervacio 8 run (kick failed)
RUSHING—Waialua: Taleon Lele 8-11, Ezra Travis 8-19, Kennedy Siaosi 7-5, Jallel Fabro 7-4, Kebi Dellatan 7-14, Gervacio 11-13, Kalen Hong 1-2. Pearl City: Paredes 8-72, Noah Derby 10-111, Lopez 5-23, Troy Barboza-Scanlan 4-7, McMillian 4-24, Angel Aponte 4-11.
PASSING—Waialua: Lele 3-8-2-7. Pearl City: Paredes 9-18-2-172, Aponte 0-1-0-0.
RECEIVING—Waialua: Lokepa Paty-Miner 3-(-5), Christian Agcaoili 2-28, Jesse Hurst-Kauwalu 1-50, Dustin Ibrao 1-4. Pearl City: Laranol 4-42, Laboy 3-48, Adrian Hall-Fonoimoana 1-42, Lopez 1-25, Joe Hammond 1-15.
No. 9 Kaimuki 28, Kalani 0
The Bulldogs remain unbeaten in conference play with a dominant win over the Falcons.
Kaimuki’s Brandon Kekoa ran in two first-half touchdowns and finished with 107 yards on 17 carries. Siaosi Halaapiapi and Henry Welley also ran in a touchdown apiece for the Bulldogs.
| KAIMUKI (4-0, 5-0) | 7 | 7 | 0 | 14 | — | 28 |
| KALANI (2-1, 2-2) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
Kaim—Brandon Kekoa 6 run (Keoki Kaiahua kick)
Kaim—Kekoa 29 run (Kaiahua kick)
Kaim—Siaosi Halaapiapi 19 run (Kaiahua kick)
Kaim—Henry Welley 2 run (Kaiahua kick)
RUSHING—Kaimuki: Kekoa 17-107, Halaapiapi 7-67, Chansen Exzabe 3-32, Randon Tuitama 3-28, Nahoa Spencer 10-26, Amu Moefu 1-8, Joey Inouye 1-3, Welley 1-2. Kalani: Genta Hammani 4-57, Lorenzo Reaves 2-28, Shane Ra 4-5, Enrique Gruver 3-2, Dru Reaves 1-(-5).
PASSING—Kaimuki: Spencer 11-17-1-118, Kainalu Spencer 1-2-0-7. Kalani: Ra 13-32-3-81, David Shishido 0-1-0-0.
RECEIVING—Kaimuki: Kanoe Barcenas 2-24, Kekoa 2-23, Halaapiapi 2-17, Daylan Demello 1-13, Stephano Tuisila 1-12, Zac Bastatas 1-11, Rudy Anton 1-10, Taku Cossey 1-8, Nick Motellang 1-7. Kalani: Reeves 7-48, Gavin Kim 2-15, Gruver 2-(-2), Talon Sismar 1-12, Trevor Yamashita 1-8.
Junior varsity—Kaimuki 30, Kalani 7
Waipahu 42, Kalaheo 26
Gregorio Alip rushed for 183 yards and three touchdowns as the Marauders remained unbeaten in conference with a convincing victory over the visiting Mustangs. Despite being picked off five times, Kalaheo quarterback Rashaan Matalolo passed for 273 yards and three touchdowns.
| KALAHEO (1-4, 1-4) | 6 | 0 | 0 | 20 | — | 26 |
| WAIPAHU (5-0, 5-1) | 7 | 20 | 8 | 7 | — | 42 |
Waip—Gregorio Alip 4 run (Jayson Gonsalves kick)
Kalh—Jesten Morenson-Freitas 16 pass from Rashaan Matalolo (kick failed)
Waip—Alip 15 run (kick failed)
Waip—Dylan Taii 50 pass from Drake Yoshioka (Alip run)
Waip—Alip 18 run (kick failed)
Waip—Matapua Tulafale 7 pass from Yoshioka (Mason Corpuz-Slade run)
Kalh—Matalolo 5 run (Nainoa Frank 2 pass from Matalolo)
Kalh—Frank 15 pass from Matalolo (pass conversion failed)
Waip—Isaiah Alama 11 run (Gonsalve kick)
Kalh—Derrick Morgan 30 pass from Matalolo (pass conversion failed)
RUSHING—Kalaheo: Matalolo 17-44, Shanon Aiwohi 2-7, Cristian Johnston 3-5, Robert Like 1-5. Waipahu: Alip 19-183, Yoshioka 9-25, Alama 4-20, Christian Paulino 3-12, Lance Jefferson Pagdilao 1-10.
PASSING—Kalaheo: Matalolo 19-39-5-273. Waipahu: Yoshioka 10-28-0-144.
RECEIVING—Kalaheo: Morgan 7-77, Frank 5-51, Like 3-77, Jesten Mortenson-Freitas 2-46, Aiwohi 2-22. Waipahu: Taii 2-62, Tulafale 2-29, Andrew Tagalicod 2-11, Micah Luke 1-15, Kingsley Albano 1-13, James Nunuha III 1-9, Efren Peralta Jr. 1-1.
Junior varsity—Waipahu 33, Kalaheo 0
BIIF
Kamehameha-Hawaii 35, Kau 0
Waiakea 34, Hilo 0
MIL
Baldwin 42, Maui 6