On a play designed for him to give the ball up, Tommy Capllonch kept it for himself, instead.
The result: game-winning touchdown.
Capllonch, a junior quarterback, ran in from a yard out in the fourth quarter to help Kalaheo rally past Kalani 6-3 in an OIA Division II game on Saturday at Kailua High School.
"I was supposed to give it, but I saw a hole so I took it," said Capllonch. "I was in there. It felt good."
Capllonch scored with 8:13 left in the fourth quarter. His touchdown capped a 12-play drive that started with a minute left in the third. Until that final drive, the Mustangs (1-1) struggled to get anything going.
"We were just battling, just battling it out," said Capllonch, who completed six of 19 passes for 57 yards.
With six minutes remaining, Kalani (1-1) quarterback Tyler Ching threw the ball deep toward the end zone, but couldn’t connect with Tyler Ho on fourth down from the 42. Capllonch then reminded his teammates of the time remaining.
"I just had to think about the time running out," Capllonch said. "I told my running backs to hold onto the ball the best you can."
Marc Teshima kicked a 23-yard field goal less than three minutes into the game to put the Falcons up 3-0. Four Kalaheo penalties helped Kalani advance down the field on its opening drive.
Kalaheo had an opportunity to tie the game with a minute left in the first quarter. But Kalani’s Ace Faumui blocked Jaimes Geren’s field-goal attempt.
Capllonch said the win would help his team recover from a 39-6 loss to Nanakuli in the season opener.
"This one is going to get us pumped. We’re going to make something happen," Capllonch said.
At Kailua
KALANI (1-1, 1-1) |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
— |
3 |
KALAHEO (1-1, 1-1) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
— |
6 |
Kaln—FG Marc Teshima 23
Kalh—Tommy Capllonch 1 run (kick blocked)
RUSHING—Kalani: Davante Nicholson 7-30, Blaise Manabe 2-1, Gage Quinabo-Reis 6-0, Tyler Ching 1-(-2). Kalaheo: Kawika Cavanh 13-57, Tommy Capllonch 14-34, Kaliu Lapera 5-34, Justin Shipes 2-9, Matthew Sasaki 1-3, Mitchell Sasaki 1-2, Ryan Durden 2-(-4).
PASSING—Kalani: Ching 8-28-1-98. Kalaheo: Capllonch 6-19-2-57.
RECEIVING—Kalani: Manabe 3-37, Tyler Ho 3-31, Kai Reed 2-30. Kalaheo: Caden Smith 3-23, Matthew Sasaki 2-22, John Tuitupou 1-12.
Junior Varsity—Kalaheo 18, Kalani 13
PEARL CITY 34, WAIALUA 7
Jordan Taamu threw two touchdown passes and ran for 76 yards to lead a balanced attack for the Chargers.
Dominic Maneafaiga rushed for two touchdowns and Kavossie Mason had 10 catches for 87 yards for Pearl City.
Royce Tashiro threw for 121 yards for the Bulldogs, including a 13-yard touchdown pass to Thomas Pule to put Waialua on the scoreboard in the third quarter.
At Waialua
PEARL CITY (2-0, 2-0) |
14 |
7 |
7 |
6 |
— |
34 |
WAIALUA (0-2, 0-2) |
0 |
0 |
7 |
0 |
— |
7 |
PC—Kaleo Israel 15 pass from Jordan Taamu (Joseph Komomua kick)
PC—Dominic Maneafaiga 5 run (Komomua kick)
PC—Keelan Domingo-Ishikawa 15 pass from Taamu (Komomua kick)
PC—Maneafaiga 3 run (Komomua kick)
Wail—Thomas Pule 13 pass from Royce Tashiro (Pule kick)
PC— Jarrett Sanchez 15 run (kick failed)
Individual results not reported.
Junior Varsity—Pearl City 42, Waialua 0
NONCONFERENCE
ST. FRANCIS 56, HOLY TRINITY (CANADA) 0
Miaka Teal earned 60 of his 101 rushing yards on a late touchdown and the Saints trounced the visiting Titans at Campbell High.
St. Francis (2-0) ran out to a 37-0 lead by halftime with the help of an interception return for a touchdown by Christopher Vaniser.
Kawika Ulufale threw for 98 yards and a touchdown for St. Francis.
DAMIEN 28, KAUAI 21
Damien quarterback Bransen Apao accounted for three touchdowns including runs of 2 and 6 yards as the Monarchs held off a late charge from Kauai.
Justin Balisican led the Red Raiders with 160 yards and three touchdowns. At Vidinha Stadium
DAMIEN (1-0, 0-0) |
0 |
21 |
0 |
7 |
— |
28 |
KAUAI (0-2, 0-0) |
0 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
— |
21 |
Dam—Ransen Apao pass to Ian Lundberg 47 (Dallas Labanon kick)
Kaua—Justin Balisacan 10 run (kick failed)
Dam—Apao 2 run (Labanon kick)
Dam—Justice White 3 run (Labanon kick)
Kauai—Balisacan 19 run (Aaron Renaud kick)
Dam—Apao 6 run (Labanon kick)
Kauai-Balisacan 10 run (fumble recovery)
RUSHING—Damien: Kepono Kawaakoa 9-25, Samson Low 8-43, Justice White 5-21, Apao 8-21. Kauai: Balisican 24-160, Bulla Rapacon 8-10, Renaud 2-7.
PASSING—Damien: Bransen Apao 13-18-0-163. Kauai: Renaud 4-14-2-20.
RECEIVING—Damien: Ian Lundberg 4-49, Kapiina King 4-60, Kawaakoa 3-18, Kanai Picanco 1-20, Samson Low 1-16. Kauai: Shaedon Tallano 3-18, Damien Butac 1-2.