GAME NIGHT 8/18: Kahuku/Waianae

Kahuku running back Elvis Vakapuna battled for yards against Waianae in the OIA semifinals last year. Photo by Jamm Aquino/Star-Advertiser.

FINALLY. For the first time since 1975, Kahuku heads out to the West side to face Waianae at Raymond Torii Stadium. Waianae hasn’t beaten Kahuku since 2001, a span of 17 straight losses. The Seariders haven’t even scored on the Red Raiders since 2014 as Kahuku has posted four shutouts in a row in the series. It doesn’t bode well that the Seariders have scored one touchdown in eight quarters so far this season.

Kahuku hasn’t won in Waianae since 1974 when the immortal Josiah Hubbell was the quarterback. Waianae hasn’t had a 100-yard rusher against Kahuku since Duane Miller in 1998 and have only had four since 1973. Waianae hasn’t started a season 0-3 since 2011, when they started 0-4.

Kahuku best passing against Waianae: Inoke Funaki, 268 yards in 2000
Kahuku best rushing vs. Waianae: Jason Keo, 279 yards in 1995
Kahuku best receiving vs. Waianae: Spencer Hafoka with 183 yard in 2003
Waianae best passing vs. Kahuku: Kekoa Kaluhiokalani with 240 yards in 2013
Waianae best rushing vs. Kahuku: Reed Aken 150 yards in 1985
Waianae best receiving vs. Kahuku: Ikaika Gilman 134 yards in 1995


The series was given the nickname ‘The Crunch Bowl’ some time ago.

NO. 2 KAHUKU RED RAIDERS (1-0)
Head coach: Makoa Freitas
2017 Red Raiders roster

VS.

NO. 8 WAIANAE SEARIDERS (0-2)
Head coach: Walter Young
2017 Seariders roster

No. 2 Kahuku 37, No. 8 Waianae 0

********************

*** NO. 2 KAHUKU 37, NO. 8 WAIANAE 0, FINAL ***
Kahuku’s defense smothers Waianae from start to finish, allowing just 15 yards of total offense. Kahuku’s offense generated a moderate 264 total yards, while as a whole the Red Raiders finished with 19 penalties for 160 yards.

At Raymond Torii Field
Kahuku (2-0, 2-0) 0 17 13 7 — 37
Waianae (0-3, 0-2) 0 0 0 0 — 0
KAH—Enoch Nawahine 1 run (Duke Heffernan kick)
KAH—Nawahine 34 run (Heffernan kick)
KAH—FG Heffernan 28
KAH—Peter John Mataira 28 pass from Sol-Jay Maiava (kick failed)
KAH—Miki Ah You 53 punt return (Heffernan kick)
KAH—Joseph Purcell 8 pass from Maiava (Heffernan kick)
JV—Kahuku 27, Waianae 0.

RUSHING—Kahuku: Nawahine 8-99, Maiava 7-21, J.L. Lavea 8-16, Alex Fonoimoana-Vaomu 1-7, Samisoni Fotofili 1-5, Ikaika Togiai 1-1. Waianae: Eteuati Lui 2-1, Rico Rosario 15-(-9), Elijah Lujan 2-1, Kenneth Joseph Jr. 4-(-1), Skyler Kaleiohi 2-7, Jeris Oliveros 1-(-4).

PASSING—Kahuku: Maiava 8-18-1-115. Waianae: Rosario 2-14-1-20.

RECEIVING—Kahuku: Sitaleki Tongi 2-14, Thornton Alapa 1-14, Mataira 2-43, Purcell 1-8, Fonoimoana-Vaomu 1-23, Lokana Enos 1-13. Waianae: Keoki Davis 2-20.

*** KAHUKU 37, WAIANAE 0, 6:06, Q4 ***

Kahuku drives 45 yards in eight plays. Maiava to Joseph Purcell on an 8-yard TD toss.

Waianae can’t protect Rosario against this Kahuku front seven. Another sack ends the series, punt.

#####

Waianae’s Kaimana Swann-Merritt intercepts a deep pass by Maiava for a touchback. The third quarter ends with Waianae second and 11 at its 19.

*** KAHUKU 30, WAIANAE 0, 1:40, Q3 ***

Waianae drive stalls despite some gritty running by Rosario. Punt snap hits the ground and Ebel is hit as he punts. Miki Ah You returns the bouncing punt 53 yards for a TD. Not sure if it’s legal to hit the punter after the ball hits the ground, but it seems that’s the deal. Fans are irate about the no-call.

*** KAHUKU 23, WAIANAE 0, 6:11, Q3 ***
The Red Raiders receive the kickoff to start the second half and go on a 15-play, 82-yard drive. It ends with a 23-yard strike from Maiava to Peter John Mataira on a go route down the hash. PAT kick caroms off the left upright, no good.

*** KAHUKU 17, WAIANAE 0, HALF ***
Kahuku has a modest 135 yards of total offense in the half, but has clearly controlled the line of scrimmage. The young Seariders are hanging in there, but if they don’t punch it across the goal line soon, Kahuku will just run out the clock with that excellent offensive line.

At Raymond Torii Field
Kahuku 7 10 xx xx — 17
Waianae 0 0 xx xx — xx
KAH—Enoch Nawahine 1 run (Duke Heffernan kick)
KAH—Nawahine 34 run (Heffernan kick)
KAH—FG Heffernan 28


JV—Kahuku 27, Waianae 0.

RUSHING—Kahuku:
Nawahine 8-99,
Maiava 2-8,
J.L. Lavea 1-0,

Waianae:
Eteuati Lui 2-1,
Rico Rosario 9-(-5),
Elijah Lujan 2-1,
Kenneth Joseph Jr. 3-0,
Skyler Kaleiohi 1-0,
Jeris Oliveros 1-(-2).

PASSING—Kahuku:
Maiava 3-10-0-28.

Waianae:
Rosario 2-7-1-20.

RECEIVING—Kahuku:
Sitaleki Tongi 2-14,
Thornton Alapa 1-14,

Waianae:
Keoki Davis 2-20.

*** KAHUKU 17, WAIANAE 0, :02, Q2

Maiava scrambles for 9 yards and tosses a 10-yard strike on third and 1. Holding fall pushes Kahuku back to the 22, but Waianae is called for pass interference in the end zone. Mauga had tight coverage there. Maiava incomplete pass and Waianae calls time out. Heffernan drills a 28-yard field goal with :02 to go in the half.

Waianae in a funk here, needs something to happen. Third and 12 the snap sails past Rosario, who wasn’t ready. He scoops the ball up by the goal line with a handful of Red Raiders on his tail and slings the ball downfield. Pass interference on Kahuku, first down. WOW. Third and 11, Rosario hurls a beautiful pass down the hash mark and just misses his target. Timing just a bit off but impressive for a lifetime RB. Punt snap goes over Ebel’s head, but he hustles for it and turns it into a 5-yard punt. Ball at the Waianae 41 for Kahuku with 1:24 left in the first half.

Kahuku with penalties intermittently in the first half. This time, delay of game sets them back. Third and one, Maiava sacked on the play-action. Sekope Latu punt is downed at the Waianae 24.

Waianae offense really struggling now. Kahuku major penetration against the run, and on third and 12, Rosario barely got the snap before being sacked. Punt plus Kahuku penalty on the return, it’s Big Red ball at its 37.

*** KAHUKU 14, WAIANAE 0, 9:05, Q2

Kahuku needs just four plays to reach paydirt. The O-line is smashing the right side and springing Nawahine. They keep running to the opposite side of Mauga and it’s simple and successful. Nawahine tears off gains of 14, 11 and then 34 yards for a TD. Kick is good. Kahuku starting to assert its dominance.

Waianae’s next possession ends with a third-down sack. Ebel’s punt is downed at the Kahuku 41.

*** KAHUKU 7, WAIANAE 0, 11:56, Q2 ***

Power-I goal-line set for Kahuku and Nawahine scoots through easily for a 1-yard TD. Duke Heffernan adds the PAT kick.

#####

Nawahine with a nice 26-yard run to the right on the read-option give by Maiava. He is tackled by Kana‘i Mauga at the 9, saving the TD. The Red Raiders move to the 1 on a third-down scramble by Maiava as the opening quarter ends.

Not even Rosario can do anything about Kahuku’s pass rush. He is under pressure on third and 10 and throws to an offensive lineman, which is illegal, but the pass caroms off him and is snagged by Kahuku for an interception. First down at the Waianae 36.

Kahuku’s opening series is a quick first down, very conservative with dives up the guy by Enoch Nawahine. But Sol-Jay Maiava’s third-down pass is short. Punt. Waianae ball at its 36. The punt returner muffed it but recovered.


Rico Rosario has opened the game at quarterback, which I believe is a first for him at any point in his illustrious varsity career. He sneaks for a first down on third and 1. He passes for 15 yards on second and 15. He scrambles for 7 yards on third and 6. What’s going on here?? Amazing. This is a genius move. Drive stalls, Tate Ebel’s punt is a touchback.

Conditions are virtually perfect. No rain clouds, trades 5-15 mph. Dry weather. Kahuku wins the kickoff and elects to defer until the second half. Waianae will receive.

COMMENTS

  1. BG Grad August 18, 2017 11:53 am

    in before anywaaays whines about recruiting and ILH, because that’s really the only thing he does on HPW


  2. TooMeke August 18, 2017 1:10 pm

    speaking of whining ^^^

    irony. doh.

    RRFL.


  3. Choloropicrin August 18, 2017 7:19 pm

    JV- Kahuku 27 — Waianae 0


  4. Hyn August 18, 2017 7:31 pm

    Dont worry nobody will be whining about kahuku because us guys in the ILH we worry about ourselves.


  5. Choloropicrin August 18, 2017 8:22 pm

    I wish they would stop referring this game as a rivalry. Kahuku has had Waianae’s number for 17 years.


  6. BG Grad August 18, 2017 8:29 pm

    Toomeke, you’re included in that list. you’re the second biggest whiner aside from anywaays, who writes essays about recruiting and ILH this and that even on articles that have nothing to do with ILH.

    although it’s nice to see Kahuku try to work it’s passing attack. It’s not pretty right now, but they definitely have the talent for it. they’ll need some kind of balance to take down st louis this year


  7. Nailz August 18, 2017 8:42 pm

    @ BG Grad Kahuku doesn’t need a passing attack to beat St Louis they been winning all these years without it.


  8. Grabum.by.da.puppy August 18, 2017 8:48 pm

    bias oc16. when kahu no play agains ref sey ot play agains comentatrs


  9. TooMeke August 18, 2017 8:56 pm

    Practice… RB has 98 yards on 8 carries. Against a D that held Kapolei to 7 points.

    BG – stop whining about alleged whining… duh.

    Next.

    RR4L.


  10. TooMeke August 18, 2017 8:58 pm

    Hyn – I started watching late… did Waianae cross da 50 yet?


  11. 88 August 18, 2017 9:01 pm

    Kahuku’s OC needs to put the QB in better situations to be successful. The guy looks like he is just calling plays from the field instead of getting help from the coaches up in the box.


  12. BG Grad August 18, 2017 9:04 pm

    lol right. and here you are, keep on whining. just let it go. you know it’s truth but you can’t let it go. RR4L!

    Nailz, last year they needed one. This year they’ll probably need one. If Kahuku commits to a more balanced offense, Sol Jay might end up being pretty effective because he looks like he has the tools. The D and the running game will always show up


  13. Oia#1 August 18, 2017 9:52 pm

    Embarrassing, great job kahuku. Waianae needs whole new coaching staff on offense. Special teams is awful aswell. Please tell me why mauga is at OLB? His specialty is rushing the passer.


  14. Choloropicrin August 18, 2017 9:59 pm

    Waianae’s OC Kana Kawai and Olinemen coach needs to go!!


  15. Choloropicrin August 18, 2017 10:03 pm

    Waianae running offense formations from the 60’s and 70’s means that their coaches aren’t putting in the time to get modern.

    They want to be a power run team and the linemen can’t even block.

    Please Kekoa Kaluhiookalani, get the offense coaches out!! As a attire of fact all the coaches! They are all hold overs from the Matsumoto era.


  16. Oia#1 August 18, 2017 10:16 pm

    Every year same shit, get blown out by kahuku and top teams. Defense is not as good as recent. Seems like we are taking a few steps backwards. Even worse is campbell is next and they look tough.


  17. Choloropicrin August 18, 2017 10:22 pm

    The have two other QBs on the team, but the coaches theink they’re better at other positions. These guys can’t do it, no player development. Kana Kawai and Oline coach needs to go.


  18. Choloropicrin August 18, 2017 10:23 pm

    Campbell is going to smoke the Seariders next week. They are potent and could be a wildcard in the OIA outside of Kahuku, Mililani and Kapolei.


  19. RidgeRunnerE-5 August 18, 2017 10:44 pm

    You all really think that offensive schemes is the problem with this Waianae team? I see an offensive line that is almost non-existent. I don’t care what type of offense you’re running, if your O-line is getting rag-dolled the entire game in the trenches, IT WON’T WORK! Go ahead fire Waianae’s OC, you’ll still be left with an O-Line that can’t open holes or give the QB any time to make his reads.


  20. Choloropicrin August 18, 2017 10:51 pm

    they may be getting ragdolled cause they aren’t learning proper technique.


  21. Tokotoko August 18, 2017 11:19 pm

    Tough loss for the Seariders. Opening the season w/ St. Louis, Kapolei, and Kahuku is an arduous task for any team, but I didn’t expect them to look as bad as they have in all 3 games, especially on the offensive side of the ball. It wont get any easier as they will face a Campbell team that looks really good.


  22. Hyn August 19, 2017 12:02 am

    Toomeke- sorry didn’t have time to watch but saw the halftime score was 17-0. Seem like it was a close game till the end just like against leileihua. I guess you guys won’t have a real game again till the mainland team and oia playoffs. Would be nice if you guys played against kapolei or mililani too really see how good you guys are but I guess we have to wait .


  23. Oia#1 August 19, 2017 6:23 pm

    RR5, whos fault is it to call a qb keep up the middle on 3rd and 12 if your line getting ragdolled? The linemen are terrible, #55 trying to catch the ball? Bad snaps?


  24. RidgeRunnerE-5 August 20, 2017 2:20 pm

    OIA#1, you ain’t getting it huh? Let’s go with your example, 3rd & 12. Exactly what do you call when you’re getting manhandled up front? PA pass? Rico will be sacked for a loss. Pass out of the shotgun? Again, Rico gets sacked or throws an errant pass under pressure that gets picked off. Give the rock to the RB? He gets hit behind the line for a loss. Triple option? Rico gives the ball to the upman who gets hit in the backfield, or he keeps the ball and gets hit in the backfield OR he pitches the ball out and the RB gets hit behind the line. You all are acting like if Waianae went with a different offensive game plan, that it would magically enable the O-line to hold their blocks and get a good push on the opposing front seven.


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the Star-Advertiser's TERMS OF SERVICE. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. To report comments that you believe do not follow our guidelines, email hawaiiprepworld@staradvertiser.com.

*

RECENT TWEETS

RECENT TWEETS