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8:01 p.m. Final, Waipahu 9, Pearl City 7. Wild finish. Hook-and-ladder touchdown play for Pearl City made it a 2-point game with just over 2 minutes left. Then the strange finish.
The clock was at 1:10 when the play clock (25 seconds) began, and Waipahu had fourth and 7 in its own territory. So Waipahu should have punted before the game clock was down to 45 seconds. However, it ran down to 22 seconds because of the official’s decision to reset the play clock due to an “equipment adjustment,” according to Kai Kamaka.
I just talked with an official (who wasn’t on the crew).
ANYTIME THERE IS AN EQUIPMENT STOPPAGE, THE PLAY CLOCK IS REQUIRED TO RESET. He added that the Pearl City player had his helmet off trying to fix it before Waipahu’s punt, and an official signalled to stop the game clock, but the timer in the box did not see this. The play and game clocks should have stopped much sooner, according to the official.
Any event, a great defensive battle marred by tons of penalties. Both teams have a little time to get things straightened out before states.
6:52 p.m. Interception by Waipahu DB Joseph Kahele is the latest gem by the Marauder defense. I have a theory: If you can coach the basic concept of your opposition’s offense (run and shoot), your defense can prepare far better. Waipahu brought in the run and shoot this year under Eric Keola and his staff, and they have PC’s offense completely off track. 8:28 left, still Waipahu 9, PC 0.
6:33 p.m. Waipahu wisely milking the clock, staying on the ground, protecting a 9-0 lead. Pearl City run and shoot offense struggling against Waipahu’s defensive speed. 1:10 left in the third, Waipahu’s Wesley Amaseu recovers a fumble at the Pearl City 42-yard line.
5:55 p.m. Halftime at Aloha Stadium. Waipahu got a field goal and a short touchdown run, the latter by LB/RB Wesley Amaseu (5-10, 240), for a 9-0 lead. Waipahu’s pass rush has flustered Pearl City’s run-and-shoot offense, and the Marauders’ smashmouth offense has chewed up major chunks of time off the clock.
4:32 p.m. Here we go! I’m at Aloha Stadium with Billy “Bonecrusher” Hull and Jason Kaneshiro. Everyone in the press box I’ve spoken with expects a close one.
Paul Honda, Star-Advertiser
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