SCRIMMAGE BLOG: Kahuku at Kamehameha

Kamehameha still working out the kinks. Kahuku ends the Warriors’ possession with a whistled sack. Quite a performance by the Red Raiders.

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New QB in for Kahuku. No ID, but he’s definitely not Maiava. Sun has set a hot afternoon has transformed into a beautiful evening at Kapalama Heights. Still a top 3 site to enjoy a football game. The laulau plate sold out early. Mostly Bob Marley tunes piped through the system.

Even the backup is not hesitating to take shots deep, even into triple coverage. Not sure yet if this is a totally revamped playbook or not, but it’s clear that new QB coach Brian Ah Yat is getting a chance to test his guys out with lots of freedom.

Kamehameha front seven clamps down for two sacks (whistled) to end Kahuku’s possession.

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New QB for Kamehameha on this third series: senior Brandon Baniaga. He hits Kupono Blake on a short route, misses just off target on the next two attempts. Two K backups get swallowed up by Kahuku’s pass rush on the next three snaps.

Pass in the flat and a Kahuku defender makes a hard hit that separates the ball from the receiver. Yellow flag thrown there, possibly for hitting a defenseless receiver. First-down completion from Baniaga to sophomore Titus Maunakea down the right sideline. Lot of confidence by Baniaga.

Two high snaps caught by the QB, plays blown dead. Kahuku’s turn to go on offense.

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Maiava begins Kahuku’s second possession with a bomb that is just 2-3 yards overthrown. Kahuku had two receivers on go routes there on the same side. Nice throw. Maiava bobbles the pistol snap, runs for 5, then hits his TE for a first down.

Second down, read-option play kinda busts and the whistle blows while Maiava is running toward the sideline. Third and long, he has WR open deep sideline but overthrows.

Kahuku starts over at its 30 in shotgun trips left. Quick screen for no gain. Taking another shot here, open man on a wheel route right, overthrown. Another deep shot and this time Maiava is money on the skinny post, a 70-yard TD. WOWW. Sorry, no ID/number of the receiver BUT this group can fly.

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Good news for Kamehameha is that Yam is very composed back there even when there is a pass rush. Nice dump off pass to junior Braden Alika. But running left has been mostly difficult and that takes away some of the Warriors’ play action.

Another big pass rush and Kahiau’s rusher leaps to bat the pass down. Each team getting a set number of plays. That would’ve set up fourth and long.

Second and 7, two Red Raiders unleashed on Yam and he’s fortunate he didn’t get hurt. Was that Miki Ah You? Again, sorry for the lack of IDs but Kahuku isn’t wearing numbers. Big Red defense starting to take control.

Yam fires down the left side intonsingle coverage but the WR isn’t ready. Incomolete. Kahuku ball.

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Play-action roll left, pass is low but catchable, and the TE drops it. Kahuku runs the counter right and gains 12 and 15 yards. Ball at the KS 38. Quick pass right, WR drop. Third and long, QB Sol-Jay Maiava has his guy in solo coverage deep but overthrows. Fourth down, he Maiava escapes a sandwich of pass rushers, runs left and heaves a spiral caught at the 11-yard line. Sorry no numbers on the Kahuku jerseys, so no ID. What a play, though I doubt the Red Raiders don’t want their QB that vulnerable again. Kamehameha DB injured.

Kahuku smashmouths to the 1, then Mauava bootleg left stopped at the sideline. Fourth and goal at the 2, Maiava play-action pass, touchdown.

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Opening possession: Thomas “Boogie” Yam very sharp with two deep sideline darts for roughly 50 yards, including one to sophomore Skyler Ramos. Kahuku then sacks Yam to push the Warriors out of the red zone.

RB Kanoa Shannon’s first carry stuffed by Big Red for a loss. He picks up 4 yards on the next play. Fourth and long, blitz. Yam spins out of reach but his deep throw is long.

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Preposterous? Outlandish? Live coverage of the first full-contact, 11-on-11 scrimmage of the preseason?

Yes, yes, and yes. Kamehameha has numbered jerseys and a roster for our convenience. Kahuku, like its JV team earlier in the afternoon, has no numbers on its jerseys. We will do the best we can between our photographer, Bruce Asato, and myself. After all, at least a few hardcore Red Raider and Warrior fans out there do care. Both teams are warming up now. From what I heard, the teams will engage in practice-style 1-on-1 and 7-on-7 work before going to 11-on-11.

Both teams are in 7-on-7 and 1-and-1 work, just like the JV teams did. In roughly 20-30 minutes, maybe around 6:45 p.m., they’ll go to 11-on-11.