Kamehameha-Hawai`i Pulls Away Late to Defeat `Anuenue

Friday night’s contest between Kamehameha-Hawai`i and `Anuenue was more than just a football game. From the Hawai`ian chant and protocol between both teams at mid-field before the game, to the PA announcements done by `Anuenue’s english teacher, all done in Hawai`ian, and the singing of Hawai`i Pono`I, started by Kyra Gomes, and finished entirely by the players and coaches on the field, the game was an opportunity to show that the Hawai`ian language and culture lives outside of the classroom.

On the football field, it was a ground-and-pound battle much of the way, until the Warriors puled away to win 25-6 over Na Koa at Kamehameha-Hawai`i’s Pai`ea Stadium.

Both teams had their opportunities to score in the first quarter. Kamehameha-Hawai`i had their first possession start inside of Na Koa territory, but end quickly with a punt. Meanwhile, `Anuenue got a boost late in the first quarter from a 61-yard run by Kainalu Kaleo, who ran for 120 yards and a touchdown on nine carries. That long run took them inside the Warriors’ 30-yard line, but would not go much farther, as they could not convert a pass attempt on fourth down at the Warriors’ 28.

Kamehameha-Hawai`i would get on the board first with 8:08 left in the second quarter. Jairah Chun-Lai bounced out to the left side of the field and scored on a 13-yard touchdown run, his first carry of the day, giving Kamehameha-Hawai`i a 7-0 lead. Chun-Lai will be used on both sides of the ball, but primarily at the Will linebacker position this year.

Speaking of his defensive play, that came through on `Anuenue’s next posession. Quarterback Hemakana Yam-Lum, rolled to his right and was pressured by several dark blue Warrior jerseys before throwing the football right at Chun-Lai, who took it back to the end zone for a 41-yard score, giving his team a 13-0 lead that would last through the half.

Na Koa continued to run the football out of their double-wing formation with some success, albeit limited, in the second half. They got on the board with 7:35 to play in the third quarter when Kainalu Kaleo ran in from 13 yards out. After missing the two-point conversion, `Anuenue was within seven at 13-6.

That would be it, however, for Na Koa’s running game, as Kamehameha-Hawai`i started to plug the holes up the middle that they were able to run through during the game. With their run game silenced, the Warriors were able to build momentum for their offense. With 4:28 left in the third quarter, Faaolaina Teofilo burst through the middle of the field and ran into the end zone for a 26-yard touchdown, giving the Warriors a 19-6 lead after a failed two-point conversion. Teofilo finished with 106 yards on nine carries.

Late in the fourth quarter, the Warriors were able to put it away on a one-yard quarterback sneak score from sophomore Micah Kanehailua, who made his varsity debut at quarterback Friday night. Kanehailua went 5-for-11 for 61 yards passing on the night, but was able to cash in on his only carry of the game to extend the Warriors’ lead to the eventual final score, 25-6.

Kamehameha-Hawai`i showed off its depth in this game with three different backs who showed the ability to torch defenses. The third, Adri Castro, a transfer from Waiakea High School, got the start at I-back and shifted and fought his way to 51 rushing yards on 11 carries. The 278 net rushing yards from the Warriors is part of head coach Dan Lyons’ new philosophy of trying to pound the football.

Meanwhile, `Anuenue was held to 208 rushing yards for the contest, but 84 of those were in the second half. Last year, they averaged over 300 yards rushing per game in the OIA White division.

Na Koa gets into OIA White play next Saturday when they face Nanakuli High School at Kaiser High. Meanwhile, Kamehameha-Hawai`i visits Wong Stadium to face Waiakea High Saturday.

`Anuenue 0 0 6 0 – 6

Kamehameha-Hawai`i – 0 13 6 6 – 25

Waiakea 26, Waimea 14

Dayton Kiko caught a touchdown pass and returned an interception for a touchdown in the first half, and Devin Preston finished things off with a 32 yard touchdown run to lead Waiakea over Waimea at Hanapepe Stadium on Kaua`i.

The Warriors, even with Kiko’s two touchdowns, were down by two after missing both extra points, but their defense shut out Waimea in the second half to pull away for the victory.

Waiakea 6 6 7 7 – 26

Waimea 7 7 0 0 – 14

Kealakehe 10, Kailua 3

David Fangupo’s six-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter would prove to be the go-ahead score as Kealakehe ushered the second coming of the Sam Papali’i head coaching era with a 10-3 win on the road.

Kealakehe trailed 3-0 in the first half before getting a 47-yard field goal from Keoni Yates in the second quarter to tie the game. The defense did the rest of the work, holding Kailua to only 97 yards of total net offense for the game.

Lennox Costales lead Kealakehe with 97 rushing yards on 23 carries. Fangupo rushed 10 times for 56 yards.

Kealakehe 0 3 7 0 – 10

Kailua 3 0 0 0 – 3