St. Francis breaks in Ching Stadium with big win

St. Francis looked right at home in the first prep football game played at Clarence T.C. Ching Stadium.

The Saints dominated in all phases of the game in a 46-6 victory over Honokaa in a testy nonconference game Saturday at the venue on the University of Hawaii’s lower campus.

St. Francis had four interceptions, including a 15-yard pick-six by Wembley Mailei on the first play of the second quarter and a 55-yard score by Ezra Inayoshi-Dudoit on the second play of the second half. The two other interceptions led to touchdowns. The Saints also recovered a Dragons fumble in the fourth quarter.

"The front seven played well and kept the quarterback in the pocket," St. Francis coach Kip Akana said.

The Saints also scored on a safety when Taka Lautaha and Supi Mailei tackled Dragons quarterback Nainoa Falk in the end zone late in the first quarter.

"Our defense played assignment (football)," said Lautaha, who had three sacks. "Everyone played their part. Everyone played to their best ability."

Honokaa gained 63 yards of total offense, with 56 coming on a touchdown pass from Falk to Jonathan Charbonneau for the final points of the game.

St. Francis finished with 307 total yards.

"They’re a great program. They came out ready to play," said Dragons coach Morgan "Hana" Hanohano.

The Saints scored on a 35-yard punt return by Isaac Crichton in the second half. Taputafoki Kailea had a 46-yard free kick return after the safety, which gave St. Francis the ball at the 23. Three plays later, Matt Dacuycuy scored on a 12-yard run to make it 20-0.

The Saints’ Scott McLeod passed for 182 yards and ran for two scores. Dacuycuy finished with eight carries for 84 yards and two touchdowns in one half of play.

"They executed on offense, so we were able to have a balanced attack," Akana said. "We were able to run the ball and hit open receivers."

There were numerous personal-foul penalties called on both teams during the game.

In the second quarter, Falk carried the ball inside the Saint Francis 15-yard line and was hit near the Honokaa sideline. A couple of players got involved in an altercation and a series of penalties against the Dragons moved the ball back to their 41.

"Those are borderline calls. The game was lopsided so it looked worse than what it was," Akana said of the numerous penalties.

Hanohano said: "I’m really proud of how they (his Dragons) held themselves together and kept their control."

As far as playing the first game at Ching Field, Lautaha said, "To play here was a great experience – the fans and the atmosphere."

Hahohano added: "The setting and being here, the boys were excited and so were we (the coaches)."

The only glitch was the clock on the field went out midway through the third quarter, so time had to be kept on the field by the officials.

The Clarence T.C. Ching Athletic Complex cost around $16 million.

High school football games had been played at the same location back when it was known as Cooke Field.