Kahuku tops heartbroken Kapolei

It was a heartbreaking night for the Kapolei Hurricanes, and not just in a 33-19 loss to Kahuku on Friday night. 

A father of one of the Kapolei players collapsed during the second quarter. Help was on the way quickly via Kapolei’s athletic trainer and three doctors. An AED was also in use, but he didn’t make it. 

"I got up (to the bleachers) as soon as I could. He was unconscious. I did compressions until the EMTs came," Kapolei trainer Alex Lo said. "He had spurts, moments of coming in and out. I feel sad. I did the best I could. I was hoping I could resuscitate him." 

At the time, Kapolei led 7-0. But when the situation ensued, players on the field saw what was happening on the Kapolei side of the field. 

"It’s the toughest night of my coaching career," Kapolei coach Darren Hernandez said. "They knew he was in dire straits. I couldn’t find the words to console them. They were in shock and dismay." 

On the Kahuku sideline, there was no knowledge of what happened on the Kapolei side. 

"My heart breaks for them. They lost a dad in the second quarter. We didn’t know that," first-year Kahuku coach Lee Leslie said. 

The visitors struck early in the contest, right when Kahuku started its first possession. The ‘Canes popped Kahuku running back Kesi Ah-Hoy and the ball sprung loose. Keoni Taylor returned the ball 26 yards to the Kahuku 26-yard line. Four plays later, quarterback Alton Julius snuck in for a 3-yard touchdown with 8:11 left in the first quarter. 

With an ample following of Kapolei fans behind their bench, the Hurricanes held their ground defensively until the second quarter. A ‘Canes fumble on the snap was recovered by Manaia Atuaia, who recovered at the Kapolei 23-yard line. 

Three plays later, Tuli Wily-Matagi fired a strike to Chance Maghanoy on a post route for a 20-yard touchdown to tie the game at 7 with 8:20 left in the first half. 

Kahuku’s defense began to seize momentum. After a three-and-out by the ‘Canes, Keala Santiago returned a punt 49 yards to set up the next Red Raiders touchdown. Ah-Hoy lined up in the wildcat formation to gain 4 yards, then threw a jump pass to Wily-Matagi, who had set up as a tight end, for a 4-yard touchdown. 

Kahuku led 13-7 with 6:01 to go in the half. 

Malcolm Macatiag came up big defensively moments later, forcing Julius to fumble in the backfield. Atuaia pounced on the ball and scored from 7 yards out to push the Red Raiders to a 20-7 lead with 4:58 before intermission. 

Kapolei drove to the Kahuku 10-yard line in the final seconds of the half, but Soli Afalava stopped wide receiver Anthony Martinez at the 5-yard line after a reception on the final play. 

Ah-Hoy then sparkled in the third quarter, returning the opening kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown and cutting back fluidly for a 38-yard run. That gave the home team a 33-13 lead en route to victory on a bittersweet night.

Kapo–Alton Julius 3 run (Makana Breault kick)

Kah–Chance Maghanoy 20 pass from Tuli Wily-Matagi (Gabriel Pinheiro-Alves kick)

Kah–Wily-Matagi 4 pass from Kesi Ah-Hoy (kick failed)

Kah–Manaia Atuaia 7 fumble return (Pinheiro-Alves kick)

Kah–Ah-Hoy 94 kick return (kick failed)

Kapo–Ronald Matautia 5 run (kick failed)

Kah–Ah-Hoy 38 run (Pinheiro-Alves kick)

Kapo–Randon Ruiz 17 pass from Julius (run failed)

RUSHING–Kapo: Ronald Matautia 6-36, Trensten Spragling 8-29, Ekolu Young 11-27, Kepa Kaina 2-21, Jaymin Sarono 1-3,  Julius 8-(-19). Kah: Ah-Hoy 12-97, Jrue Williams 7-43, Wily-Matagi 7-27, Pena Fitisemanu 6-25, Soli Afalava 6-25, Salanoa-Alo Wily 2-5. 

PASSING–Kapo: Julius 12-24-0-116. Kah: Wily-Matagi 7-12-0-145, Ah-Hoy 1-1-0-4, Afalava 0-1-1-0. 

RECEIVING–Kapo: Naiko Kea 5-53, Tristan Centeio 2-13, Ty-Noah Williams 2-12, Ruiz 1-17, Kaina 1-16, Anthony Martinez 1-5. Kah: Ah-Hoy 2-69, Maghanoy 2-37, Alohi Gillman 2-13, Royce Pao 1-26, Wily-Matagi 1-4. 

Junior varsity–Kahuku 14, Kapolei 6