Jordan Bayudan rushed for 159 yards and three touchdowns as No. 4 Kamehameha pulled away in the second half for a 42-28 win over ‘Iolani on Friday night at Kunuiakea Stadium.
A rain-drenched, near-capacity homecoming crowd saw the Warriors improve to 4-1 in ILH play (5-1 overall), thanks to steady play up front and the reading skills of quarterback Fatu Sua-Godinet. The senior passed for 221 yards and two touchdowns and also rushed for 176 yards and another touchdown.
From read-option keepers to draw plays and off-tackle runs for Bayudan, Kamehameha’s offensive line wore down a scrappy ‘Iolani defense. The game was tied at 21 before Kamehameha scored three unanswered touchdowns in the second half.
"Fatu is definitely getting better, throwing better. He does a good job. Brian (Ah Yat) does a real good job coaching him," Warriors coach Doug Cosbie said.
Bayudan, a junior who has stepped up since a season-ending injury to Kaulana Apelu, had his most productive game. His previous best was a 144-yard, one-TD effort against Saint Louis two weeks ago.
"Jordan’s been playing really well. We tried to get the seniors some (work). One twisted his ankle tonight and another’s got a bad knee. Jordan’s been carrying the load lately and he’s doing a good job."
In all, Kamehameha rushed for 429 yards on 44 carries and finished with 650 yards of total offense.
"’Iolani’s always good. They do a great job. Their kids do a great job and they’re well coached. We did some good things and some things we need to do better," Cosbie said.
"Our defensive coaches made some adjustments at halftime."
‘Iolani (2-3, 3-3 overall) got some big first-half plays from K.J. Pascua and Keoni-Kordell Makekau, but Kamehameha’s defensive secondary won enough battles to prevail after intermission. Safeties Dylan Kane and Mason Chow each had one interception.
Mika Kane and Lokomaikai Recca had one sack each, but for the most part, the Warriors relied on tight coverage.
Austin Jim On passed for 299 yards (19-for-44) and two touchdowns for the Raiders. His big-play target was Makekau, who had eight receptions for 162 yards, including a 77-yard touchdown in the first half.
‘Iolani finished with 436 total yards.
"We gave ’em a run for their money. We got as much as we could get out of our guys, squeezed every ounce of courage and pride out of ’em. I’m proud of them," Raiders coach Wendell Look said. "Breaks here and there, and we would’ve been in a better position. Cannot fault these guys for effort. We talked all week about having each other’s backs and playing for each other."
Next up for Kamehameha is unbeaten Punahou in the regular-season closer. A win by the Warriors would possibly create a three-way tie in ILH Division I along with Saint Louis.
"We’ve got a tough one next week. They’re the state champs and they’ll be tough to beat, but we’re capable," Cosbie said.
| At Kunuiakea Stadium |
| ‘Iolani (3-3, 2-3) |
7 |
14 |
0 |
7 |
— |
28 |
| KS (5-1, 4-1) |
7 |
14 |
14 |
7 |
— |
42 |
Iol–K.J. Pascua 69 run (Evan Minami kick)
KS–Jordan Bayudan 25 run (Noah Crabbe kick)
KS–Kumoku Noa 25 pass from Fatu Sua-Godinet (Crabbe kick)
Iol–Keoni-Kordell Makekau 77 pass from Austin Jim On (Minami kick)
KS–Bayudan 12 run (Crabbe kick)
Iol–Connor Ohira 22 pass from Jim On (Minami kick)
KS–Kaulana Werner 30 pass from Sua-Godinet (Crabbe kick)
KS–Bayudan 8 run (Crabbe kick)
KS–Sua-Godinet 59 run (Crabbe kick)
Iol–Tyler Teruya 1 run (Minami kick)
RUSHING–‘Iolani: Pascua 11-125, Storm Lotomau 8-13, Teruya 2-10, Team 1-(minus 5), Jim On 4-(minus 6). Kamehameha: Sua-Godinet 14-176, Bayudan 16-159, Alika Kaha’ulelio 2-38, Kaysan Nakatsu 5-17, Werner 1-11, Jaykob Cabunoc 2-10, Maximillian Roe 1-7, Keola Pedrina 2-6, Trever Kahunahana 1-5.
PASSING–‘Iolani: Jim On 19-44-2-299. Kamehameha: Sua-Godinet 17-31-0-221.
RECEIVING–‘Iolani: Makekau 8-162, Ohira 5-69, Teruya 5-41, Pascua 1-27. Kamehameha: Werner 5-80, Noa 5-52,Kaha’ulelio 4-65, Cabunoc 2-11, Bayudan 1-23.
