Kamehameha upends Punahou
In Ryan Ho’s mind, this was an elimination game.
The Kamehameha running back answered that pressure by rushing for 162 yards, including a 61-yard touchdown, as fifth-ranked Kamehameha outlasted No. 9 Punahou 28-10 last night at Aloha Stadium.
“It was a do-or-die game,” Ho said. “I think it was. It was step up or go down the drain.”
Kamehameha improved to 1-1 in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu (4-1 overall). Punahou dropped to 1-1 (1-3 overall) despite a fairly solid defensive effort. The inability of Punahou’s offense to move the ball for most of the night became a factor that gave Kamehameha’s punishing offensive line an edge.
“Coach (David Stant) said to be patient and things will happen,” said Ho, who carried the ball 19 times.
The Warriors had only one turnover to Punahou’s three. Stant credited quarterback T.C. Campbell for his steady play.
“He showed composure in the pocket on third and longs, a big game like tonight,” Stant said.
A punt block by Mikei Thomas Morita set up the Warriors at Punahou’s 16-yard line in the first quarter. Six plays later, on fourth and goal from the 1, Kupono Park leaped over the middle for a Kamehameha touchdown with 3:33 left in the first quarter.
Punahou’s offense struggled and went three and out four series in a row to start the game. Kaiana Eldredge completed just one of his first seven attempts, but one of the incompletions was a drop by Jeremy Ioane on a deep post that would’ve been an easy touchdown.
“I should’ve caught that. It was my mistake,” said Ioane, who plays full-time at linebacker.
The Warriors capitalized with Ho’s 61-yard touchdown jaunt. Ho juked a linebacker and sprinted up the middle, eluding a safety on a slight cutback to the right. The Warriors led 14-0 with 11:50 left in the first half.
Punahou fumbled away its next possession and Sean Pickard recovered for the Warriors at the Buffanblu 41-yard line. Kamehameha’s offense went three and out, though.
Punahou finally scored with 5:57 left in the half on Kaimi Fairbairn’s 27-yard field goal.
The Buffanblu racked up 72 yards in penalties before halftime.
Kamehameha extended the lead on Dylan-Keanu Montez’s 24-yard interception return for a touchdown. The Warriors led 21-3 with 33 seconds left in the third quarter.
Junior Liloa Travis replaced Eldredge and drove his team 84 yards to paydirt while Kamehameha’s first-team defense was still on the field. A 39-yard strike to Forrest Kim set up a 5-yard burst by Stabren Caires for the Buffanblu’s first touchdown of the game. Punahou was within 21-10 with 9:25 remaining.
“We scored kind of quick just before that. I think (our defense) was tired,” Stant said.
Ho answered again, busting out of a pileup at the line of scrimmage for a 66-yard gain to the Punahou 1-yard line. Ho scored two plays later on a toss sweep to the left, and Kamehameha led 28-10 with 6:24 left.
The Buffanblu got stellar games from Kim (six catches, 101 yards), linebacker Kyle Tu‘umalo, nose tackle Leni Sekona, safety Brian Suite and Ioane. Travis, in particular, was impressive with his quick releases and was 13-for-20 for 116 yards.
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Pac-Five 37, Damien 12
P.J. Minaya flustered a swarming Monarchs defense and passed for 315 yards and three touchdowns as the Wolfpack improved to 1-1 in league play (4-1 overall).
Brendan Sagucio was on target with three field goals in as many tries. Minaya heaved touchdown passes of 67, 22 and 12 yards as the Pac-Five overcame a 110-yard rushing effort by Damien’s Brenan Furtado.
“Scrambling around, looking for people open, it’s fun making plays,” Minaya said. “Coach (Kip Botelho) says if nothing’s there, try and make something out of nothing.”
The senior from Hanalani School now has 25 touchdown passes with seven picks to go with 1,658 yards.
No. 7 ‘Iolani 42, Word of Life 0
Jarrett Arakawa hurled four touchdown passes in little more than one half as the Raiders (4-1, 2-0) blanked the Firebrands in a Division II matchup.
“Iolani’s a real good team, consistently good,” Word of Life coach Joe Onosai said. “We’re trying to find our niche. Our guys continued to fight. It’s part of the growing pains.”
It was the ILH opener for Word of Life (0-2 overall).
Arakawa, directing the Raiders’ no-huddle, run-and-shoot offense, completed 14 of his 16 attempts for 166 yards.
Farrington 41, McKinley 7
Scotland Smith and Harry Tuimaseve combined for 230 yards on the ground and two touchdowns as the fourth-ranked Governors dominated the Tigers in an OIA Red East matchup. Siausi Feleunga rushed for 54 yards on seven carries and had a touchdown as well.
Farrington posted 39 points before the half and was never really challenged. The Govs also recorded two safeties, one on a blocked punt and the other on an intentional grounding in the end zone.
Kalaheo 36, Waialua 13
Jesse Carney rushed for 184 yards and three touchdowns in a lopsided win over the Bulldogs.
Carney scored two touchdowns in the first quarter to give Kalaheo a comfortable lead, and Eddie Tauai followed with a 10-yard TD run in the second quarter.
Waialua responded with touchdowns in the second and third quarters, but couldn’t score in the fourth.
Matthew Abad passed for 173 yards for the Bulldogs, but also threw four interceptions.
Kaiser 32, Kalani 12
Josh Gonda rushed for 261 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries to lead the Cougars past the Falcons.
Kaiser’s Teli Latu passed for 108 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions.
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Volleyball scores
ILH
Varsity girls
La Pietra def. Island Pacific Academy 25-5, 25-10
St. Francis def. Christian Academy 25-12, 25-21
St. Andrew’s Priory def. Hanalani 25-15, 25-17
Sacred Hearts def. University 25-16, 25-23
‘Iolani def. Mid-Pacific 25-17, 25-10
Punahou def. Word of Life 25-13, 25-19
Kamehameha def. Maryknoll 25-19, 25-17
Le Jardin def. Hawaiian Mission 25-20, 25-22
OIA
Varsity girls
Kapolei def. Nanakuli 27-25, 27-26
Castle def. Waipahu 25-20, 21-25, 15-12
Kailua def. Anuenue 25-16, 25-16
Junior varsity girls
Kapolei def. Nanakuli 25-15, 25-16
Castle def. Waipahu 25-18, 20-25, 15-12
Kailua def. Anuenue 25-6, 25-5
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