GAME NIGHT 9/30: Waipahu/Kaimuki

The Marauders can clinch the OIA Division II title with a win over the Bulldogs, who can force a three-way tie at the top of the standings with a win.

WAIPAHU MARAUDERS (6-0, 5-0 OIA D-II)
Head coach: Bryson Carvalho
Marauders roster

VS.

KAIMUKI BULLDOGS (4-2, 4-1)
Head coach: David Tautofi
Bulldogs roster

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Waipahu 35, Kaimuki 14, 4Q, 6:04

Waipahu giving some cushion as Kaimuki drives into the red zone.

Waipahu 35, Kaimuki 14, 4Q, 11:41

Marauders keep marching to the end zone. Kaimuki had a shift on during fourth and long, switching the punter with another player, but the snap sailed over his head for a 27-yard loss. Amorozo to Fiesta for a 12-yard TD strike. All of a sudden, it’s a three-TD game.

THIRD QUARTER ENDS
Kaimuki ball at its 42, third and 10 to end the third period. Waipahu’s defensive adjustments have been huge. Solomon has missed his last five passes, including a third pick (Benjamin).

Waipahu 28, Kaimuki 14, 3Q, 1:42

Leaping interception by safety Zeondre Benjamin and a return of roughly 30 yards might be the pivotal play. Two plays later, Failauga scores on a 9-yard run, and his 2-point run makes it a 14-point game.

Waipahu 20, Kaimuki 14, 3Q, 4:20

Marauders go to work on the ground with four gives to Failauga. That sets up a 36-yard bomb from Amorozo to Isaac Yamashita for a TD down the right sideline. The PAT kick is blocked by Asuega-Fualaau.

Waipahu 14, Kaimuki 14, 3Q, 6:30

Kaimuki driving deliberately. Fourth and goal, ball on the goal line, the nose almost touching. Time out, Kaimuki. Solomon bootleg left, nobody there, easy TD. Richard Burton’s PAT kick ties it.

Waipahu 14, Kaimuki 7, Half

BOXSCORE
At Skippa Diaz Stadium
Waipahu (6-0, 5-0) 7 7 x x — 14
Kaimuki (4-2, 4-1) 7 0 x x — 7
KAI—Ieke Seei-Cleveland 12 run (Richard Burton kick)
WAI—Fiva Tulafale 60 interception return (Braden Amorozo kick)
WAI—Matthew Fiesta 41 pass from Amorozo (Amorozo kick)
JV—Waipahu 21, Kaimuki 0.

RUSHING—
Waipahu:
#25 Alfred Failauga 6-25,
#12 Amorozo 2-(-3)
#11 Ezekiel-Kai Kapanui-Reyes 1-(-6)

Kaimuki:
#25 Seei-Cleveland 16-61,
#11 Solomon 6-(-4),
#5 Naomas Asuega-Fualaau 1-3,
#22 Kainalu Aduca 1-0,
Team 1-(-3),

PASSING—
Waipahu:
Amorozo 6-10-0-89,

Kaimuki:
#11 Solomon 10-14-2-125,

RECEIVING—
Waipahu:
#24 Branson Jay Reyes 2-9,
#11 Kapanui-Reyes 2-10,
#6 Fiesta 1-41,
#10 Alika Ahsing 1-24,

Kaimuki:
#25 Seei-Cleveland 1-8,
#20 Elijah Lemalu 3-42,
#1 Mana Mahiai 1-3,
#3 Saburban Castillo 1-20,
#22 Aduca 4-53,

Kaimuki drives to its 49 before Solomon is sacked. After a Waipahu time out with 8 seconds left in the half, Kaimuki takes a knee. It’s been an intriguing half. Kaimuki’s game plan was excellent, but the blitz package by Waipahu has turned the tide for the Black Flag. Kaimuki’s time of possession has been a huge factor: 18 MINUTES and 16 SECONDS. That means Waipahu’s offense has had the ball for 5:44.

Waipahu 14, Kaimuki 7, 2Q, :36

Waipahu scores its first offensive TD on a 41-yard post pass from Braden Amorozo to Matthew Fiesta as the QB read the blitz perfectly.

Bulldogs drive to the Waipahu 22, but stall out on another run play. With Solomon getting rushed, they went to Seei-Cleveland one too many times against a nine-man front this time.

Kaimuki 7, Waipahu 7, 2Q, 6:43

Solomon started 6-for-7, but Waipahu is bringing heat now. He has thrown two picks in his last three attempts. Dhelton Bandonill picks off a floating duck as Solomon is slammed by two pass rushers near the sideline. Lucky to escape injury.

FIRST QUARTER ENDS

Kaimuki 7, Waipahu 7, 1Q, :00

Kaimuki QB Jordan Solomon looks sharp, but his pass over the middle is picked off by Fiva Tulafale for a 60-yard return to the house. He is a 6-2, 211-pound sophomore with WHEELS. He jukes past Solomon on the way to the end zone. WOW. Quarter comes to an end.

Kaimuki 7, Waipahu 0, 1Q, 3:41

Kaimuki drives 83 yards, nice and deliberate except for a three-play, no-huddle stretch near mid-field. Very clear the Bulldogs don’t want to get into a shootout at warp speed with the Marauders. RB Ieke Seei-Cleveland was a workhorse and scores on a 12-yard TD run.

Waipahu three and out on its first series, punt downed at the Kaimuki 17.

Pre-game: It’s been a weirdly voggy afternoon in Honolulu, a thin white film hanging over Punchbowl and even now with the sun down, it is visible all across Kapalama Heights, Alewa Heights and Downtown. Other than that, it’s about 80 degrees with very light trade winds. Barely a cloud in the sky.

Kaimuki wins the coin toss and elects to defer. Kaimuki will defend the mauka (freeway) end zone and unbeaten Waipahu will receive from the makai end zone.