Micah Kaneshiro is getting comfortable in his role as Moanalua’s starting quarterback.
The junior threw four touchdown passes to lead Na Menehune to a 33-12 OIA Red East football victory over Castle on Friday night at the Moanalua field.
Kaneshiro, who took over after senior starter Max Fiatoa was injured in the team’s opener Aug. 11, completed 13 of 24 passes for 177 yards and went to favorite target Donald Lambert early and often.
Lambert finished with seven catches for 107 yards and three touchdowns. He was the recipient of TD passes of 8 and 2 yards in the first half as Na Menehune grabbed a 21-0 lead at the break.
A stout defensive performance by Na Menehune held the Castle offense by completely shutting down the running game. The Knights finished with minus-26 yards rushing. Lineman Scott Pagano and his mates also kept the heat on Knights quarterback Brandon Makekau, who was held to 104 yards passing.
"We played with the attitude that we’re trying to always get better and I think we did that," said Moanalua coach Arnold Martinez, whose Na Menehune improved to 2-2 overall and 2-0 in the conference. "I’m proud of our guys. We’re trying to build momentum. It’s a long season."
Next up for Moanalua is a key showdown against perennial power Farrington.
Aside from his constant pass rush, Pagano had a fumble recovery and a tackle for loss. He also handled the punting duties and completed a pass for a first down on a fake punt.
Castle started to gain some momentum late in the first half with a fumble recovery by Taylor Malina, an interception by Makana Bee and sacks by Aaron Baldamero and Jacob Pitt. But the turnovers did not translate to points and the Knights still trailed by 21 going into the second half.
Pitt also had a fumble recovery and an interception in the game to lead the Castle defense.
Pitt’s second-half interception and 34-yard return led to the Knights’ first score — Makekau’s 15-yard TD strike to Kyle Urasaki to make it 21-6 early in the third.
But Na Menehune finished what it started and went ahead 27-6 with a 63-yard drive capped by Kaneshiro’s 17-yard TD dart to Lambert. Later in the third quarter, Moanalua marched 61 yards for a 33-6 bulge on Ishmil Scott’s 19-yard TD burst.
"We’re trying to take baby steps," said Castle coach Nelson Maeda, whose team dropped to 0-4 overall and 0-2 in the conference.
At Moanalua
| Castle (0-4, 0-2) |
0 |
0 |
6 |
6 |
— |
12 |
| Moanalua (2-2, 2-0) |
14 |
7 |
12 |
0 |
— |
33 |
Moa—Donald Lambert 8 pass from Micah Kaneshiro (Landon Ogawa kick)
Moa—Sheldon Pagba 20 pass from Kaneshiro (Ogawa kick)
Moa—Lambert 2 pass from Kaneshiro (Ogawa kick)
Cas—Kyle Urasaki 15 pass from Brandon Makekau (kick failed)
Moa—Lambert 17 pass from Kaneshiro (run failed)
Moa—Ishmil Scott 19 run (kick failed)
Cas—Makana Rombawa 1 run (pass failed)
RUSHING— CAS: Bryson Shea 1-3, Makekau 1-0, Don Kaio 1-(minus 3), TEAM 1-(minus-6), Jesse Medeiros 1-(minus-9), Rombawa 5-(minus-11). MOAN: Scott 12-72, Richard Parham 4-35, Kaleo Yanai 8-33, Wylan Lucero 3-7, Lambert 1-6, Jerek Pavao 2-5, DJ Leatimua 3-3, Kaneshiro 2-(minus-15), TEAM 3-(minus-49).
PASSING— CAS: Brandon Makekau 18-33-0—104, Shea 1-2-1—35. MOAN: Kaneshiro 13-29-2—177, Leatimua 2-2-0-12, Pagano 1-1-0-5.
RECEIVING— CAS: Kyle Urasaki 6-85, Joseph Lilio 3-5, Makana Bee 2-19, Kaio 2-11, Medeiros 2-12, Shea 2-10, Rombawa 1-1, Ikaika Kekoanui 1-(minus-4). MOAN: Lambert 7-107, Jon-Michael Sharsh 3-22, Pagba 1-20, Leon Talaro 3-21, Chad Aragon 1-15, Jason Sharsh 1-9.
Junior varsity—Moanalua 13, Castle 7.
