Pearl City coach Kai Kamaka challenged his Chargers to make some history on Saturday night.
And that they did.
Rakeel McMillian scored two touchdowns in the second half and Tanner Tokunaga tackled Siaosi Hala‘api‘api a yard short on fourth down in the final minute to give the host Chargers a 29-27 victory over No. 9 Kaimuki in the regular-season finale for both teams.
Pearl City (8-0, 8-1) won the regular-season OIA White championship by completing what is believed to be the program’s first undefeated run through an OIA season.
“We preached to these kids to rewrite history,” Kamaka said. “I don’t think Pearl City has ever gone undefeated in the history of the program, so (we told them to) leave your mark on this school and this community.”
McMillian, who wasn’t on last year’s team that saw its season end in a 14-13 loss to Kaimuki in the playoffs, said he was just as hungry as the rest of his senior classmates to atone for that loss.
“I transferred from another school, but (the seniors) came out ready to play to get back (from that loss),” McMillian said. “We kept our composure, kept our minds straight, and made history tonight, baby.”
Kaimuki (7-1, 8-1), the defending league champion, nearly pulled off an incredible comeback, trailing 29-20 with less than 2 minutes remaining.
Quarterback Nahoa Spencer, who was 12-for-22 for 112 yards, tossed his only touchdown pass of the game to Nick Mile with 1:10 remaining to cut the lead to 29-27.
The Bulldogs tried an onside kick after jumping offside on the first attempt and running back Brandon Kekoa, the workhorse of the Kaimuki offense, came up with the loose ball to give the Bulldogs a chance.
The Bulldogs tried to a hook-and-ladder play that Pearl City snuffed out for only a 4-yard gain, setting up a fourth and 6.
Spencer hit Hala‘api‘api with a pass in the flat, but Tokunaga and a second Pearl City defender made the stop short of the first-down marker, putting an end to Kaimuki’s undefeated season.
“I knew (Kaimuki) had to get a score and go 40 yards, but I told our guys to make sure to tackle them well and stay inbounds,” Kamaka said.
Kekoa finished with 159 yards and three touchdowns on 29 carries for Kaimuki, which will be the No. 2 seed in the OIA White playoffs.
“A good message for (our team) is they fought to the end and now the pressure is off as far as anything else,” Kaimuki coach Clint Onigama said. “We’re starting from scratch and need to get focused on just our next game.”
Kekoa scored on a 4-yard touchdown run to open the game, but Pearl City answered immediately when Daicorri Briscoe returned the ensuing kickoff 91 yards for a touchdown.
Chargers quarterback Kaimi Paredes, who was 16-for-22 for 171 yards, threw a 5-yard touchdown to Briscoe in the second quarter and David Laranol made a 35-yard field goal to give the Chargers a 17-13 lead at halftime.
Kekoa scored his third touchdown of the game to start the third quarter before McMillian answered with the first of his two touchdowns that gave the Chargers a 29-20 advantage.
The Bulldogs lost despite outgaining the Chargers 351 to 221.
At Pearl City High field
Kaimuki (7-1, 8-1) 7 6 7 7 — 27
Pearl City (8-0. 8-1) 7 10 6 6 — 29
Kaim—Brandon Kekoa 4 run (Keoki Kaiahua kick)
PC—Daicorri Briscoe 91 kickoff return (David Laranol kick)
Kaim—Kekoa 4 run (kick failed)
PC—Briscoe 5 pass from Kaimi Paredes (Laranol kick)
PC—FG Laranol 35
Kaim—Kekoa 3 run (Kaiahua kick)
PC—Rakeel McMillian 14 pass from Paredes (kick failed)
PC—McMillian 27 run (kick failed)
Kaim—Nick Mile 6 pass from Nahoa Spencer (Kaiahua kick)
RUSHING—Kaimuki: Kekoa 29-159, N. Spencer 5-35, Siaosi Hala‘api‘api 8-29, Kainalu Spencer 1-8, Chansen Exzabe 1-4, Randon Tuitama 1-4. Pearl City: McMillian 4-31, Paredes 11-14, Shawn Lopez 2-6, team 1-(-1).
PASSING—Kaimuki: N. Spencer 12-22-1-112. Pearl City: Paredes 16-22-0-171, Lopez 0-1-0-0.
RECEIVING—Kaimuki: Kanoe Barcenas 3-34, Kekoa 2-20, Hala‘api‘api 2-20, Kaiahua 2-17, Zac Bastatas 2-12, Exzabe 1-5. Pearl City: Briscoe 4-51, Adrian Fonoimoana-Hall 3-19, McMillian 3-17, Laranol 2-35, Kelson Laboy 2-12, Keanu Harris 1-27, Lopez 1-10.
Waipahu 35, Anuenue 8
Gregorio Alip rushed for 120 yards and three touchdowns to power the Marauders over Na Koa.
Tyrdo Ate-Taito opened the scoring with a 92-yard run for a touchdown and Eric Castro added a 66-yard fumble return for a score.
At Kaiser
Anuenue (2-6, 2-6) 0 0 0 8 — 8
Waipahu (6-2, 6-3) 14 14 7 0 — 35
Wai—Tydro Ate-Taito 92 run (Jayson Gonsalves kick)
Wai—Gregorio Alip 2 run (Gonsalves kick)
Wai—Eric Castro 66 fumble return (Gonsalves kick)
Wai—Alip 2 run (Gonsalves kick)
Wai—Alip 11 run (Gonsalves kick)
Anu—Makana Fernandez 26 pass from Mahuka Cullen (Cullen run)
RUSHING—Waipahu: Alip 12-120, Ate-Taito 1-92, Eric Castro 1-66, Christian Paulino 7-32, Matapua Tulafale 3-26, Drake Yoshioka 1-9. Anuenue: Kainalu Kaleo 24-144, Mahuka Cullen 13-66, Keanu Rodriguez 3-23, Malaeloa Liua 10-21, Kakela Lee 5-17, Hemkana Yam-Lum 3-(-4).
PASSING—Waipahu: Yoshioka 7-13-0-65. Anuenue: Cullen 1-4-0-26.
RECEIVING—Waipahu: Tulafale 3-25, Dylan Taii 2-15, Micah Luke 1-17, James Nunuha III 1-8. Anuenue: Makana Fernandez 1-26.
Friday
Nanakuli 34, Kalani 6
