Kapolei survived a playoff-type scenario Friday to earn a spot in the postseason.
The Hurricanes endured traffic into Nanakuli, slowed by repairs on a water-main break, with the OIA Red’s last playoff berth awaiting the winner of the regular-season finale. They left the valley with a 36-0 win and a fresh start on a roller-coaster season.
Sophomore quarterback Lonenoa Faoa completed 24 of 29 passes for 228 yards and four touchdowns to lead Kapolei (4-4, 3-4 OIA Red) into the playoffs. Nanakuli ended its season at 1-7 overall and 1-6 in the division.
“There’s no doubt that we were in a position where it was do or die,” Kapolei coach Darren Hernandez said. “It’s not easy to play a team on their home field. For us, it was a matter of trying to execute and do our job and I thought we played a pretty balanced overall game.”
The Hurricanes will be seeded between fourth and sixth in the OIA Red, depending on the outcome of tonight’s game between Kailua and division champion Mililani.
Kapolei running backs Dreyden-Steele Kawewehi, Jarad Fonoti and Josh Kansana combined to rush for 159 yards, to complement Faoa’s efficiency in the Hurricanes’ quick passing game.
Kapolei’s first drive of the game stalled at the Nanakuli 4, but the Hurricanes reached the end zone on their next three possessions. Titus Mokiao-Atimalala opened the scoring with an 18-yard touchdown reception, Kansana capped a 12-play drive with a 9-yard scoring run and Tamatoa Mokiao-Atimalala broke loose for a 40-yard touchdown catch-and-run.
“What helped was the run game,” Faoa said. “Especially with the help of the O-line, and we just had a big push there.”
The Kapolei defense held Nanakuli to minus-17 yards in total offense while posting its third shutout of the season.
