Perfect start for new ‘Iolani QB Jonah Chong

Jonah Chong’s debut as ‘Iolani’s starting quarterback was perfection in the record book.

The 5-foot-10, 150-pound junior completed all eight of his passes for 136 yards and three touchdowns and led ‘Iolani on scoring drives on all five possessions he played in a 63-0 drubbing of Kalani on Saturday night at Kaiser Stadium.

Three of ‘Iolani’s top four receivers from last year caught touchdown passes as the Raiders breezed through their 14th win in a season opener in the past 15 years.

“It’s the first time in a long time that we’ve had to break a new quarterback in who hasn’t had any real experience,” ‘Iolani coach Wendell Look said. “The more we play I think the better we’ll get.”

Chong steps in for Tai-John Mizutani, a three-year starter at QB for ‘Iolani who finished his career fourth all-time in the state with more than 7,500 yards passing.

Chong’s second play of the game was a 45-yard touchdown pass to Rayden Kaneshiro, who took a simple pass in the flat and sped down the Kalani sideline for a score.

Chong added touchdown throws to Carter Kamana and Jonah Miyazawa and left the game after handing off to Kaua Nishigaya for a 1-yard touchdown run to make it 42-0 with more than 10 minutes remaining in the first half.

“This was my first time and it was pretty exciting in the beginning because I was a little nervous,” Chong said. “I was pretty happy with the performance. The linemen and the receivers did a good job, so that’s why everything kind of worked out today.”

‘Iolani started three new faces on the offensive line and lists only two players more than 200 pounds on its roster.

It was still enough to overmatch Division II Kalani, which is trying to replace a three-year starter at quarterback of its own in Seth Tina-Soberano.

The Falcons lost their top three rushers and top four receivers from a year ago as well.

“Our goal today was to run the ball, and we’ve got to get better because we’ve got to be able to run it,” said Look, who opened his 28th season with his 189th career win. “In spots we did and in spots we showed how young we are.”

Nishigaya rushed for 55 yards and two touchdowns and Rexton Suzuki broke off a 40-yard run in the fourth quarter before capping the scoring with a 5-yard TD run.

The 63 points allowed by Kalani were the most since losing 70-0 to Kalaheo to open the 2008 season.

Junior Nicholas Sakamoto played the entire game behind center for the Falcons and accounted for 84 yards (40 rushing, 44 passing).

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GAME SUMMARY

‘Iolani 63, Kalani 0
at Kaiser Stadium

>> ‘Iolani (1-0) 35 14 7 7 — 63
>> Kalani (0-1) 0 0 0 0 — 0

‘Iolani — Rayden Kaneshiro 45 pass from Jonah Chong (Mika Makekau kick)

‘Iolani — Kaua Nishigaya 9 run (Makekau kick)

‘Iolani — Carter Kamana 11 pass from Chong (Makekau kick)

‘Iolani — Isaac Ignacio 26 interception return (Makekau kick)

‘Iolani — Jonah Miyazawa 43 pass from Chong (Makekau kick)

‘Iolani — Nishigaya 1 run (Makekau kick)

‘Iolani — Noah Gaudi 21 pass from Sam Faumuina (Makekau kick)

‘Iolani — Cole Ichikawa 37 pass from Tate Shimao (Makekau kick)

‘Iolani — Rexton Suzuki 5 run (Makekau kick)

RUSHING — ‘Iolani: Suzuki 9-58, Kaua Nishigaya 14-55, Chong 1-6, Faumuina 1-1, Ichikawa 1-0. Kalani: Nicholas Sakamoto 15-40, Jake Lee 14-31, Javan Montiho 5-(minus 3), Jerick Robinson 1-(minus 6).

PASSING — ‘Iolani: Chong 8-8–0-136, Shimao 1-2-0-37, Faumuina 4-9–0-39. Kalani: Sakamoto 8-24-2-44.

RECEIVING — ‘Iolani: Miyazawa 2-59, Kaneshiro 2-50, Ichikawa 2-40, Kamana 4-27, Gaudi 1-21, Wailoa Manuel 1-8, Mark Mendoza 1-7. Kalani: Robinson 5-34, Micah Matsuda 2-14, Noah AhSam 1-(minus 4).