‘Iolani’s Mizutani passes for milestone in win

Tai-John Mizutani passed for 426 yards and three touchdowns, and sophomore Carter Kamana set a school record with 222 receiving yards as ‘Iolani pulled away for a 55-20 win over Pac-Five on Saturday afternoon at Aloha Stadium.

The Raiders improved to 1-2 in ILH Division II play (2-3 overall). Pac-Five dropped to 0-3 (1-4).

Mizutani completed 31 of his 40 pass attempts, connecting for three TDs. Two of them went to Kamana, a 6-foot-1, 164-pound wide receiver, for 48 and 53 yards. Mizutani also became the 15th passer on Oahu to cross the 6,000-yard threshold for career yardage.

“It’s great. You look back at our school and think of all the great quarterbacks who left their legacy here like Kela Marciel and Reece Foy, but it doesn’t mean anything. We have a whole season to go,” said Mizutani, who trails Foy and Kiran Kepo‘o in the school’s record book for career passing yardage.

“Our receivers made plays after the catch, and our line played great. I just put the ball in their hands,” said Mizutani, who also scrambled for 65 yards, including a 20-yard TD run.

The Raiders, who have their sights on a D-II state berth, are feeling optimistic after struggling in recent seasons, both in D-I and this season back in the lower tier.

“This senior group hasn’t won an ILH game in their careers, so it’s a nice win for them,” coach Wendell Look said. “All the receivers have been working well with Tai-John. It’s whoever’s open, that’s who we’re supposed to throw the ball to.”

With Tyler Fukuroda out of the lineup (injury) for Pac-Five, wide receiver A.J. Ulufale moved to quarterback and kept his team closer for a half.

The Raiders took a 7-0 lead early on a 52-yard breakaway touchdown run by Kaua Nishigaya (61 yards on eight carries).

‘Iolani didn’t score again until there was 7:06 left in the first half. Mizutani connected with Justin Genovia (six catches, 82 yards) to set up a 6-yard TD run by Nishigaya, and the Raiders led 14-0.

The Wolfpack scored on the ensuing drive. Ulufale found linebacker/receiver Nathan Bek for a 19-yard TD to cut the score to 14-6.

The Raiders responded with a 48-yard TD pass from Mizutani to Kamana to open the lead to 21-6 with 3:44 to go in the second quarter.

Ulufale went to Bek in the left corner again for a 29-yard TD toss with 1:23 left in the first half.

The Raiders then marched 59 yards in just 43 seconds. Mizutani scrambled to the left sideline and reached the pylon untouched for a 20-yard score and a 28-12 lead just before intermission.

Mizutani’s 14-yard TD pass to Rayden Kaneshiro stretched the lead to 35-12 with 3:26 remaining in the third quarter.

More photos of the game between ‘Iolani and Pac-Five.