‘Iolani wins on late score

The ‘Iolani football team found yet another way to break Waipahu’s heart.

Reece Foy hit Chad Hanaoka in the middle of the end zone on a 2-point conversion with 39.8 seconds left and the Raiders beat the Marauders 35-34 on Saturday night in Waipahu. ‘Iolani ended last season with a 34-0 thrashing of Waipahu in the Division II state championship game.

This one might have hurt just as much, leaving Waipahu stunned on its sideline while ‘Iolani waited for handshakes. The funny thing, though, was ‘Iolani went for the 2 because it felt like Waipahu had won the game.

"Waipahu totally outplayed us in all phases. They deserved to win the game," ‘Iolani coach Wendell Look said. "That’s why we went for 2. I just wanted to see where our boys were at, if they wanted to fight. They stepped up."

‘Iolani, which improved to 2-0 for the first time since 2005, set up Look’s decision by driving 72 yards in 36 seconds of game time. Foy hit Yuuya Kato from 26 yards out to complete a 21-point fourth quarter and pull the Raiders within 34-33.

Foy threw for 364 yards and four touchdowns, but fumbled the ball once in the red zone and had trouble moving the team until the deciding moments.

"The whole game, it was frustrating for us," Foy said. "It felt like we were beating ourselves in a way. Waipahu has a great team and they proved it. We just can’t wait until the end to sharpen it up."

‘Iolani hosts Hawaii Prep next week, while Waipahu hosts Kapolei. Waipahu, which is winless after its first two games for the first time since 2005, played without defensive tackle Ezekiel Taylor, who is expected to miss a month with a torn meniscus.

‘Iolani ran a clinic on its first series, moving the ball 69 yards on 13 plays, capped by Foy’s brilliance. The quarterback mixed the run and pass on the drive and combined them on the scoring play. With the ball on the 13-yard line, Foy dropped back to pass, but couldn’t find an open man. When Waipahu’s rush finally got to him, Foy reversed field and headed for the sideline, then sprinted back to the middle of the field. Once he finished his Fran Tarkenton impression, Foy found Kato alone in the end zone for the touchdown. Jordan Genovia added the extra point and it appeared a repeat of last year’s state title blowout was on.

But Waipahu quarterback Kaimi Paredes was having none of it. The option quarterback ran the ball four times and completed two passes to march the Marauders 63 yards in nine plays. Paredes capped it off with an option keep from 5 yards out and Jayson Gonzalves provided the tying point.

Paredes was just as slippery on Waipahu’s next drive (after an ‘Iolani punt), taking the Marauders 71 yards on seven plays and scoring the touchdown on a sneak from 2 yards out. Foy tied it with a 13-yard pass to a wide-open Tanner Nishioka.

Waipahu didn’t want to show too much in the game after moving up to the Red and knowing that Kapolei was scouting it.

While everyone waited for ‘Iolani to blow it open, Paredes led the Marauders to a touchdown with a 9-yard pass to Dylan Pakau just before halftime. Paredes left the game after absorbing a blow to the head in the second half, but his replacement did just fine. Kai Mercado-Aiona hit Pakau for a 29-yard touchdown pass to give Waipahu a 26-14 edge with 1:27 left in the third quarter. Then ‘Iolani stepped up.

Jaryn Paris rushed 60 yards for the go-ahead touchdown early in the fourth quarter as the Golden Hawks beat Na Koa.

Anuenue’s Kainalu Kaleo rushed 22 times for 336 yards and three touchdowns.

The Mustangs stopped a 2-point conversion attempt in the fourth quarter in a victory over the Cougars.

Christian Johnston rushed for 141 yards on 22 carries for Kalaheo, while Chase Hanawahine threw for 164 yards on three competions.

Kaiser’s Makana Lyman completed 18 of 36 pass attempts for 254 yards and two touchdowns.

Cody Lui-Yuen threw three touchdown passes, two to Jameson Pasigan, as the Rams beat the Chargers.

No details were reported.