Kaiser runs over Radford in 48-7 rout

A contest to determine the front-runner in the Oahu Interscholastic Association White Division was no contest at all.

Kaiser ran roughshod over host Radford in a 48-7 rout, simultaneously keeping the Rams’ potent offense shackled while busting loose for huge plays at will on Friday night. Kaiser, playing with the benefit of a bye last week, improved to 2-0 in the White — good for a first-place tie with Kalaheo — while Radford dropped to 2-1.

With the mercy rule’s running clock invoked by the end of the third quarter, uber-efficient starter Kahoalii Karratti was pulled and many of the other Cougars starters watched comfortably from the sidelines.

"We were coming into this game thinking Radford was favored," said senior utilityman Thomas Leong, who scored rushing and receiving touchdowns. "They were ranked higher than us in the power rankings in the White. And we were all stoked that we beat them. We just blew them out. We came out strong."

Kaiser, at least at the moment, would seem to have Radford’s number. The Rams’ only loss in the OIA White last year was to the Cougars, a 33-14 setback.

Bruising back Fitou Fisiiahi rumbled for nearly all of his 107 yards and both of his touchdowns in the first half.

While Fisiiahi brought the thunder, the all-purpose flash belonged to the speedster Leong, who besides his impact with the offense was a threat on returns, and also served as the team’s kickoff man.

His highlight was a 69-yard screen pass from Karratti, a haymaker among several blows in a 20-point third quarter.

Karratti completed his first eight passes of the game and went 12-for-15 for 271 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions.

Radford entered the game averaging a gaudy 52.3 points per contest, but was forced to punt on its first three possessions and never got untracked from there.

Rams quarterback Cody Lui-Yuen was harassed and harangued all night by the Cougars. Though the 6-foot-4 signal-caller evaded sacks, he was unable to get the time he needed and rushed several of his throws. He finished 14-for-34 for 138 yards with a touchdown and three picks, the last of which was run back 36 yards for a score by Makaio Hopeau-Lampitoc. Those were remarkable numbers considering he entered the game averaging nearly 300 yards a contest, with 12 touchdowns against just one interception.

"We had an (extra) week to prepare for these guys, and we needed it," Kaiser coach Rich Miano said. "They’re very good. That’s a Red Division (team) in terms of talent and athletically. Freddie (Salanoa) and those guys do a great job. We’re just humble and we keep moving on."

Kaiser rolled to a 21-0 advantage in little over a quarter of work, with Fisiiahi scoring twice.

On Radford’s lone score of the first half, the Rams took advantage of two roughing the passer calls on the Cougars to extend their drive. Lui-Yuen completed the 70-yard drive with an 11-yard pass to Thomas Reid in the right corner of the end zone to make it 21-7.

Kaiser came right back, though, with a big return by Leong to midfield.

After Karratti lobbed a pass on the run to Matt Haili, Leong jetted to the left on the next play from 7 yards out to make it 28-7 at halftime.

In the first half Karratti was 9-for-12 for 150 yards. Fisiiahi rumbled for 105 yards on 16 carries at that point.

Salanoa talked to his team at length after the game and couldn’t be reached for comment.