Kahuku football starts strong

If anyone doubted that Kahuku was ready for a new season under a third head coach in three years, they were seriously mistaken.

A hounding defense and a powerful running game powered by a line that just blew over the opponents led the No. 4 Red Raiders to a 50-0 victory over visiting No. 7 Campbell in a nonleague season opener at Carlton Weimer Field on Friday night.

Defense, which is new head coach Vavae Tata’s specialty, got the party started early. Junior defensive back Stokes Botelho stepped in front of a Siaosi Soto pass and returned it 37 yards for a touchdown with 5:27 left in the first quarter.

“We had a good week of preparation,” said Tata after a win in his first game as coach. “The offense kept to smashmouth with a stable of running backs that offensive coordinator John Hao rotated. The offensive line went out and it was just maul. On defense, we wanted to stop number 6 (Terell Johnson) and we did that, holding him to limited running yardage. That way, they were one-dimensional and we went after their quarterback.”

The Kahuku defense held Johnson to minus-14 yards and sacked Soto five times — with two by Bradlee Anae, and one each by Hirkley Latu, Manaia Atuaia and Aliki Vimahi.

Early in the game, Kahuku’s opening drive was thwarted deep in Sabers territory on an interception by Campbell’s Aaron Bunting, who also blocked an extra point in the game.

But the pounding was just about to start with two quick Red Raiders touchdowns, thanks to a short punt by the Sabers and a blocked punt by Kekaula Kaniho and ensuing fumble recovery by Draeton Thompson. Running back Kesi Ah-Hoy scored from 3 yards out to cap a 35-yard drive for the first one, and then Harmon Brown jammed in from 1 yard out to make it 20-0 with 11:48 to go in the first half.

“I was surprised (we ran so well on Campbell),” said Kahuku running back Sefa Ameperosa, who galloped for 80 yards. “Toa (Neher) and Jed (Heffernan) said they were going to push (on the O-line) and told us to just do our jobs and they did make that push.”

The Red Raiders continued to take advantage of the short field, scoring their next three touchdowns on drives of 32, 43 and 45 yards. LeRod Tongi, Brown and Ah-Hoy found the end zone to make it 40-0 with 13 seconds to go in the third quarter. Kahuku led 34-0 at the half.

“It was a good wake-up call for us,” said Soto, one of two Sabers QBs. “We didn’t know what to expect. We came in here and saw some big boys. Our other games (scrimmages), the players weren’t as big. We know that we can build from this. We’ve never seen a defense like that and we’re glad we saw them early in the season so we can work up from there.”

Just eight seconds after Ah-Hoy’s second score, the Red Raiders capitalized on another interception for a touchdown, this time from 20 yards out by Tema Lindsey to make it 47-0 at the end of three. A 40-yard field goal by Farrington transfer Kekoa Sasaoka put the finishing touches on the win.

“We need work on our lines on both sides of the ball,” Campbell coach Amosa Amosa said. “We knew they were going to try and run the ball down our throats. They’re athletic, long and tall and we didn’t execute on our protection and made other mistakes. This is a great learning lesson. We can fold our tent for the season or learn.”

Kah—Stokes Botelho 37 interception return (Kekoa Sasaoka kick)

Kah—Kesi Ah-Hoy 3 run (Sasaoka kick)

Kah—Harmon Brown 1 run (conversion failed)

Kah—LeRod Tongi 2 run (Sasaoka kick)

Kah—Brown 1 run (Sasaoka kick)

Kah—Ah-Hoy 5 run (kick failed)

Kah—Tema Lindsey 20 interception return (Sasaoka kick)

Kah—FG Kekoa Sasaoka 40

RUSHING—Campbell: Austin Medeiros 1-1, Kawika Uluvale 1-(minus-3), Terell Johnson 11-(minus-14), Soto 6-(minus-29). Kahuku: Sefa Ameperosa 13-80, Ah-Hoy 11-73, Brown 5-41, Steven Lombard 4-20, Tongi 3-8, Vaikona Tuifua 1-3, Jordan Mariteragi 1-(minus-3), Team 1-(minus-1).

PASSING—Campbell: Siaosi Soto 5-13-2-64, Kawika Ulufale 0-2-1-0. Kahuku: Jordan Mariteragi 1-3-2-20.

RECEIVING—Campbell: Noah Esprecion 3-35, Braden Kauhane 2-29. Kahuku: Royce Pao 1-20.

Junior varsity—Kahuku 15, Campbell 12.