Kapolei throttles Castle, gets Kahuku next

A ball-hawking defense and a speedy and powerful offense proved to be the magic formula for Kapolei in a 34-0 victory over Castle in the first round of the OIA playoffs Friday night.

Twice in the early going, the visiting Knights drove deep into Kapolei territory, but coughed it up. Two fumble recoveries led to Hurricanes touchdowns and a 13-0 lead with 8:38 to go in the second quarter.

"They were opportunistic and I loved that about our defense," said Kapolei coach Darren Hernandez, whose team travels to play OIA Red regular-season champion Kahuku (6-1) in the quarterfinals next week.

Kahuku is the site of a tragedy that struck the Kapolei ohana. The dad of Noah Punahou Mahelona, a Hurricanes defensive lineman, died in the stands Aug. 15, when the Red Raiders won 33-19.

"We wanted to make it back (to Kahuku)," said Kapolei offensive lineman Villiamu Auwae. "We were hungry all week for this game, but we are waiting for that game. They won the last time, but we think we can physically dominate them."

Hernandez said Kapolei will have to play a "perfect, flawless game" to beat Kahuku.

Ronald Matautia delivered the first blow to Castle’s victory hopes by recovering an errant pitch from quarterback Willie Ewaliko. He rambled 15 yards before handing the ball to teammate Malik Smith, who went the final 50 yards for a touchdown.

Later, Bryson Hughes’ fumble recovery stopped a Castle drive at the Kapolei 16. The Hurricanes marched 84 yards to take a 13-0 lead. Jaymin Sarono finished it off with a 39-yard catch and run on a pass from quarterback Leonard Lee, who finished with four touchdown passes.

"He’s only a sophomore and he certainly acquitted himself well," Hernandez said of Lee.

Kapolei (4-4) took a comfortable 20-0 lead at the half, thanks to some solid clock management in the two-minute drill.

After Laura Tyler missed a 41-yard field goal, Kapolei drove downfield for a score. 

Castle’s defense came up with four turnovers in the second half, but the Knights (2-6) couldn’t take advantage.

Kapolei, on the other hand, turned two second-half turnovers into touchdowns to put the game away.

"Our goal is to keep moving on in the playoffs," Hernandez said.

The Knights, who got 171 passing yards from Ewaliko, are done for the season.

"We moved the ball, but struggled with consistency," Castle coach Nelson Maeda said. "We have something to build on. Kapolei played an outstanding game and I think Kahuku vs. Kapolei is a good matchup."

Kapo–Malik Smith 50 return after Ronald Matautia fumble recovery, 15 return and lateral to Smith (Makana Breault kick)

Kapo–Jaymin Sarono 39 pass from Leonard Lee (kick failed)

Kapo–Ty-Noah Williams 18 pass from Lee (Harrison Wright kick)

Kapo–Joseph Kaina 19 pass from Lee (Wright kick)

Kapo–L.J. Esperas 1 pass from Lee (Wright kick)

RUSHING–Castle: Ryan Mokiha 8-23, Stephen Lee 3-(minus 2), Willie Ewaliko 2-(minus 5). Kapolei: Tristan Centeio 11-75, Kaina 4-29, Trensten Spragling 7-28, L. Lee 4-15, Esperas 2-14, Deven Kapuniai 1-2, Team 1-(minus 2), Ronald Young 1-(minus 12).

PASSING–Castle: Ewaliko 25-47-1-171, S. Lee 4-7-0-12. Kapolei: L. Lee 17-28-2-207.

RECEIVING–Castle: Chad Figueroa 8-52, Isaiah Lewis 5-41, Lalio Keawe-Aiko-Tilton 4-46, Royce Simeona-Townsend 3-6, Mike Pomaihealani 2-11, Kalani Scanlen 2-4, Sione Pikula 1-11, Taylor Bee 1-7, Keanu Furtado 1-3, Ewaliko 1-2, Mokiha 1-0. Kapolei: Sarono 6-73, Williams 3-44, Edward Kea 3-32, Kekua Marumoto 2-11, Young 1-27, Kaina 1-19, Esperas 1-1.