First quarter
‘Iolani wins the toss and elects to receive. Interesting.
Third play from scrimmage, K.J. Pascua right up the gut for a 69-yard TD run. Two pass plays set up the simple dive. IOL 7, KS 0, 11:12.
Two plays after Kamehameha stops ‘Iolani on fourth and 1 near midfield, Jordan Bayudan goes around left tackle for a 25-yard TD run. KS 7, IOL 7, 1:38.
The Raiders had some momentum going with two big gains by Pascua, but the Warriors have adjusted. That hole has been clogged up, and Austin Jim On is having trouble making completions, mostly because of tight coverage.
Second quarter
Rain starts falling during a Kamehameha scoring drive. Fatu Sua-Godinet delivers a nice 25-yard pass down the sideline to Kumoku Noa for a TD. KS 14, IOL 7, 6:17.
‘Iolani ends a dry spell — four consecutive possessions without scoring — with a 77-yard TD pass from Jim on to Keoni-Kordell Makekau. He got a nice block near the sideline and broke down the left side on the big play. IOL 14, KS 14, 5:09
The Warriors come right back with a six-play, 80-yard drive. Scrambles of 42 and 17 yards by Sua-Godinet set up a 12-yard TD run up the middle by Bayudan for his second score. KS 21, IOL 14, 3:46.
Fourth and 10 for Kamehameha at the Raiders’ 42. Sua-Godinet’s quick kick (punt) gets to the 20, where it’s returned 3 yards. Then ‘Iolani has to burn a time out when an offensive lineman has to leave the field. Pascua picks up 27 yards on a screen pass and 19 more on a dive run, but Jim On is sacked by Mika Taufa for a 13-yard loss.
The Raiders pick up 10 yards on a pass to Makekau, and a fourth-down incompletion is waved off due to a defensive holding call on the Warriors. On fourth and 2 from the Kamehameha 22, Connor Ohira makes a diving catch on a Jim On pass in the right corner of the end zone for a TD. IOL 21, KS 21, :20.
Halftime: ‘Iolani 21, Kamehameha 21.
Statistics: Kamehameha has 231 rushing yards and 133 passing yards. Total: 364. ‘Iolani has 109 rushing yards and 164 passing. Total: 273.
Third quarter
The Warriors drive 70 yards in nine plays, capping it with a 30-yard TD pass from Sua-Godinet to Kaulana Werner on a perfect corner route. Kamehameha led 28-21 with 5:57 to go in the third quarter.
Fourth quarter
The Raiders picked up one first down before punting, and the Warriors drove 68 yards in nine plays. Bayudan scored off left tackle again on an 8-yard run. KS 35, IOL 21, 11:54.
The rain has stopped, but Kamehameha’s offense is pouring it on. After stopping ‘Iolani on fourth down at the Warriors’ 41, Sua-Godinet ran a keeper up the hash marks for a 59-yard TD. KS 42, IOL 21, 9:43.
The Raiders drive as the rain returns, going 79 yards in 10 plays. Kamehameha nearly makes a goal-line stand, but Tyler Teruya scores on a jet sweep to the left from the 1-yard line. KS 42, IOL 28, 6:59.
Pre-game
Kamehameha has won the last three matchups.
> 38-22, Sept. 6, 2013 (Aloha Stadium)
> 42-34, Sept. 20, 2012 (Kunuiakea Stadium)
> 56-14, Oct. 8, 2011 (Eddie Hamada Field)
Prior to that, ‘Iolani had two big upset wins.
> 13-6, Sept. 11, 2010 (Aloha Stadium)
> 20-17, Sept. 5, 2009 (Aloha Stadium)
Prior to that, Kamehameha won 12 in a row. The Raiders won 34-24 in 1998 before losing the next dozen matchups.
The ’12 matchup at Kunuiakea, I have some vivid memories of that. ‘Iolani played well with senior QB Reece Foy having a fine season. But they had a mental error on the final possession of the game, and the Warriors pulled out a win in what turned out to be David Stant’s final season as head coach.
The view here is beautiful … when the sun is high above or simply gone. For now, it’s a big, glare-inducing menace. Kunuiakea Stadium is always a scenic spot to watch a football game, arguably the best in the state. I guess Waianae’s Torii Field would be up there. Same with Kealakehe’s field — on the slopes of Hualalai with the most colorful, vog-tinted sunsets on earth.
Kahuku’s Weimer Field has a nice sunset view in August, framed by the pine trees (pine?) next door at the community park. Leilehua’s Hugh Yoshida Stadium has some brilliant sunsets over the Waianae Mountain Range.
Game time is more than an hour away. The Warriors’ homecoming crowd began filtering in at 5:30 p.m., when the gate opened. There are festivities (live music) going on nearby on the practice field. Decorations are all over the place. Yes, Kunuiakea Stadium may be the best fan experience in the state in terms of field view, closeness of restrooms and view. (The concession stand has so-so food — no plate lunches and ridiculously long lines.) Bring your own food and drink, lessen the stress.
It’s interesting how OIA sites almost always have serious, home-cooked kaukau and ILH sites normally don’t. The exception is ‘Iolani, especially during the ‘Iolani Classic (basketball), and Punahou during their boys basketball tourney. My theory is that public schools are generally larger, bigger alumni base, more willing volunteer cooks.
Some of you readers are young and may not understand why I mention food and restrooms at all. Well, think of it from a parent’s point of view. Toting the younger brothers and sisters along. Maybe grandpa and tutu, sometimes. Everybody’s hungry by the time they endured Friday rush-hour traffic (bleh!) and tired, too. The last thing parents need is grumpy little kids, and when everybody’s hungry, it’s most excellent to have easy access to cheap, homemade food (compared to most fast-food joints) and clean restrooms. The restrooms here are literally about 15 feet behind the bleachers.
Anyway, standard fare here is usually hot dogs and, if we’re lucky, haole brownies. Guess I’ll get my fill after the game if Sumo Ramen is still open down the road.
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