No. 7 Kamehameha displayed a dominant defense in downing Waianae 27-0 on Saturday night at Raymond Torii Field.
The Warriors (4-4, 3-3 ILH Open) flexed their muscles in the win in preparation for a big matchup this Friday against No. 1 and undefeated Saint Louis.
Led by Kupono Blake, Hoku Arias, Akalea Kapono, Lancen Dung and Ezra Avaimalo, Kamehameha threw the host Seariders (1-6, 1-3 OIA Open) for losses on 18 plays. Blake had two sacks and another tackle for loss. Arias also got in the backfield for two sacks.
“Our defense has been doing this all year,” Warriors coach Abu Maafala said. “We know what we are and we know our standard and continue to set that standard. We’ve got a big one coming up next week. It’s Saint Louis-Kamehameha. I don’t think it will take a lot to get the defense up for that game.”
All told, Waianae was held to minus-25 rushing yards.
“One team, one love,” Blake said. “We want to show that we can play with the best teams. We’re going to keep grinding for the rest of the season.”
Preston Rezentes gave the Warriors a 3-0 lead with a 29-yard, first-quarter field goal. Skyler Ramos was in on the next two Kamehameha scores. Ramos caught a 6-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Kiai Keone and, a bit later, he took a lateral on the right from quarterback Christmas Togiai and then, when Togiai went out on a pass route to the left, he hit him for a 32-yard catch-and-run TD for a 17-0 halftime lead.
Five Kamehameha players threw passes in the game.
The Seariders got big performances from receiver Diesel Tuinei, who had three catches for 59 yards, and Kalena Sione, who made two tackles for loss. They host Punahou on Friday before playing Campbell on Oct. 19 in a game that could determine if Waianae makes the postseason or not.
Dung and Luke Hamacon accounted for Kamehameha’s final scoring in the second half. Dung took advantage of an Arias strip sack and took it into the end zone for a 15-yard TD. Hamacon added a 39-yard field goal.
Kamehameha is trying to find a way to beat its rival, the behemoth Crusaders.
“The biggest thing we have to do is prepare to execute in all facets of the game,” Maafala said. “Any little mistake, Saint Louis will capitalize on and expose.
“Hoku Arias has done a great job of pulling everybody together,” the coach continued. “The defense plays well together, lifts each other up, challenges each other. Kupono Blake has been doing this all year. There hasn’t been a game where he hasn’t been wrecking shop. He gets off the blocks and is a very smart player. He’s everything you want in a defensive lineman.”
GAME SUMMARY
No. 7 Kamehameha 27, Waianae 0
At Waianae
>> No. 7 Kamehameha (4-4, 3-3 ILH Open) 3 14 10 0 — 0
>> Waianae (1-6, 1-3 OIA Open) 0 0 0 0 — 0
Kamehameha — Preston Rezentes FG 29
Kamehameha —Skyler Ramos 6 pass from Kiai Keone (Rezentes kick)
Kamehameha —Christmas Togiai 32 pass from Ramos (Rezentes kick)
Kamehameha —Lancen Dung 15 fumble recovery return (Keola Downing kick)
Kamehameha —Luke Hamacon FG 39
RUSHING — Kamehameha: Alec Serrao 5-75, Reino Bush 4-25, Wrx Kimura 1-4, Ramos 1-3, Benjamin Alapai 1-3, Braden Akima 1-2, Anthony Thomas-Fonoimoana 2-(minus-2), Tanuvasa Moe 1-(minus-4), Keone 2-(minus-5), Togiai 2-(minus-8). Waianae: Kenneth Joseph Jr. 1-11, Seanuinui Madeira 2-9, Eteuati Lui 7-6, Jesse Kuehu 1-3, Zefften Thompson-Avilla 1-1, TEAM 1-(minus-2), Elijah Lujan 8-(minus-4), Shaydon Lopes 4-(minus-16), Kevin Poepoe 8-(minus-33).
PASSING — Kamehameha: Togiai 4-14-1-18, Keone 7-18-1-66, Ramos 1-1-0-32, Onyx Freitas 1-3-1-20, Moe 0-1-0-0. Waianae: Lopes 3-12-1-54, Poepoe 9-22-1-100.
RECEIVING — Kamehameha: Ramos 3-28, Bush 2-14, Brock Ai 1-20, Togiai 1-32, Akima 1-16, Kahakili Pahio 1-13, Davis Mun 1-9, Titus Maunakea 1-5, Serrao 2-(minus-1). Waianae: Diesel Tuinei 3-59, Lui 2-35, Adonnis Puou 2-31,Chad Pule 1-13, Laakaea Lapastora 1-7, Daniel Wetter 1-5, Malik Brown 1-4, Kuehu 1-0.
* JV — Waianae 23, Kamehameha 0
