No. 5 Kahuku is known for a bruising running game, but it hasn’t always been there this season.
No worries now. It showed up in a huge way in the second half of Saturday night’s 32-0 victory over Waianae at Carleton Weimer Field.
The offensive line surge came at the right time. The OIA rivals were in a 0-0 deadlock at intermission.
It seemed like the team that decided to play more smashmouth football in the second half would take it. And that’s exactly what Kahuku did.
>> CLICK HERE FOR A PHOTO GALLERY FROM THE GAME
Zealand Matagi delivered 139 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries and Lalio Kaluna added 55 rugged yards behind a player who coach Sterling Carvalho drew attention to after the contest.
“Jack Tito, our fullback, is the hidden one,” Carvalho said. “He and our O-line are the unsung heroes. They do the dirty work in the trenches and blow the running lanes open.”
Center Siosaia Nisa made his presence felt, especially on a 65-yard TD drive — capped by Matagi’s 7-yard run — that broke the scoreless tie early in the second half. Matagi also went behind Nisa on a 58-yard, up-the-middle burst that made it 12-0 and started what turned out to be a one-sided second half.
Carvalho also pointed to his other starters on the line — Marcus Lombard, Mamoe Manumaleuna, Elijah Faleolo and Cobi Ah Puck. They did it without Arizona State commit Micah Soliai-Howlett, who missed the game after getting ejected in a loss to Mililani last week.
Kahuku’s Zion Ah You, a defensive tackle, got to shine in the end zone on a 1-yard TD run when he lined up as a fullback. It finished the game’s scoring on a long, time-consuming drive in the fourth quarter.
“They put it on the 1-yard line and I followed the O-line,” Ah You said. “They took me in. It was a good win. The defense puts in the extra work. We run every day. We knew that if Waianae didn’t score then we wouldn’t lose. That’s what we worry about on defense.”
Led by backup quarterback Shaydon Lopes, the Seariders drove to the Kahuku 5 late in the game, but came up empty.
For Kahuku (2-1), the win was hugely important. The Red Raiders are all even at 1-1 in the OIA Open Division. They host Campbell (1-2,1-1) on Saturday in another key league showdown.
Waianae (1-2, 0-2) is off next week and will take the extra time to prepare to host No. 2 Mililani (3-0, 3-0) on Sept. 7.
“We knew they would come out and hit us in the mouth and they did in the second half,” Seariders coach Mike Fanoga said. “We prepared for that all week. It was a lopsided second half. The kids lost focus. We just gotta finish the job. Kahuku won because they’re a good team. Other than that it was a good game. I hope the fans enjoyed it.”
That’s what you gotta do coach! Work the full back and Kalama in! Zealand is a beast, but he can’t do it by himself. Good job O line! Eh we gotta work with what we have. Tiger with time will be an awesome QB, but he’s still young. Stick with the run until he builds up
Some confidence and then we see. Awesome 2nd half. What to go with what you got coaches. #RR4L #SmashMouthFootball
Good win boys! Still got lots to work on, but the oline got after it in the second half. Basics, then add more as our young qb’s mature.
RRFL
What about Kaniho number 7.
He did a big part in this game
Congrats to all our boys. This is what makes our boys strong
(Brotherhood)
glad Kahuku found its offensive identity. old school, smash-mouth football. gotta build your scheme around the type of athletes you have. not the other way around. of course, they will have to mix it up against the likes of Timpview (Utah) and St. Louis. nonetheless, i like what was showcased against Waianae.
this is the turnaround, boys. we found our identity again. line up, man on man, smash mouth football kahuku style. it’s how kahuku always played and how it should be played now. line em up and full on smash. the problem was that kahuku lost touch with our roots as smash mouth. its in our blood. now that we have that back none of the finesse ILH recruit teams can stop us. we just line up and go! RRFL!
Glad to see Offense score but Kahuku will only win a state title again with a DOMINATING “D”.
When the other team can’t score, you will dominate.
I knew waianae would have a hard time getting into the endzone against Kahuku’s front seven, but giving up 32 points in 24 minutes is just beyond ridiculous.
Good game. Good play calling. But we gotta be realistic! It was just Waianae. The real test will be on sat against Campbell.
Waianae ainʻt no joke a big improvement from last year. Give the coaching staff credit for trying new things with the offense. But maybe should’ve ran the ball more. Would be a closer game it wasn’t for turnovers. 0-0 at halftime. Too many failed fake punts gave Kahuku good field position
Good job coach Carvalho for trying new stuff but hey sometimes going back to RR roots and ground game is better. Zealand and Kaniho are beasts.
It’s funny how all the haters disappeared from these comments section once they felt Kahuku isn’t a threat to their team. Kind a nice. Ha ha. Now just go out and play boyz. Surprise some people who don’t believe in the true RR4L spirit.
Good job Waianae! For a half. Moving in the right direction. Just need to get back to the grind and DASH. Good luck on the rest of your season. Go pull off some upsets. Country to country. RR4L to the W.
That was impressive…penalties killed a couple of promising drives in first half. The O line was on point, even more impressive that Micah wasn’t playing. Bring back Pasi as well and the potential of this team is Unbelievable…So proud of these boys to tune out the noise and play good football. Next week is a good measuring stick. Lets Go!!!!
Fans seem jacked and having fun again. Starting off the week without the often common stink talk or complaining about the admin, coaches, or other schools. I’m happy for the team and community. Wishing you success throughout the season.
Long season to go Kahuku, Waianae outside of the top ten, big boys coming up soon, Campbell, Saint Louis, Punahou.
Hauula bruddah-
Where was the true RR4L spirit last week?
You must be that guy, that still has his RR flag up on his truck along with wearing your RRFL shirts to Windward Mall.
Kidding aside. Good win, hats off to Waianae in having the courage to trying different things and congratulations to RR’s for tough D, dependable special teams, short field position and the ground and pound running game.
good luck this week.
@HLI
Baddah…I’m that guy. Feel free to say hi.
Hi there big guy!
U have stickers too?
Right on👍🏽
Babbo Gam
LollyPop.