While University of Hawaii receiver/punter/punt returner Scott Harding takes the weekend off, Waianae’s Stanton Spencer stayed busy as a multi-purpose threat on Friday.
Like Harding, Spencer does double duty on offense and special teams for the Seariders and the senior contributed in both phases to help Waianae roll past Waipahu 43-0 on the Marauders’ homecoming night.
Spencer accounted for 19 points with two touchdown receptions, a 37-yard field goal and four PATs. Four of his kickoffs went for touchbacks and he trapped Waipahu inside its 10 on his lone punt of the night.
“He’s a good specialist,” Waianae coach Daniel Matsumoto said. “He’s improved his distance. That year of experience was very helpful.
“His punting got way better. He’s more patient back there, he sees the rush and that allows him to really get a good kick.”
Spencer accounted for Waianae’s first seven points, catching a 32-yard touchdown pass from Ioane Kaluhiokalani and kicking the extra point on the Seariders’ second possession of the game. His field goal gave Waianae a 24-0 lead going into halftime.
In the second half, he snagged sophomore quarterback Jorell Pontes‘ 25-yard touchdown pass and hit his fourth PAT to extend the Waianae lead to 37-0.
The only time the Seariders didn’t reach the end zone in the second half, Spencer skied a punt from the Waipahu 46. The ball landed inside the 5, bounced back into the field and was downed at the 7.
By then, Waianae’s third straight win was secure and the Seariders (4-2) close the regular season next Saturday against Kahuku at Aloha Stadium with the OIA Division I playoffs to follow.
Friday’s game closed Waipahu’s regular-season schedule and the Marauders’ postseason fate will be decided next week when Castle and McKinley meet. A
Castle win would give Waipahu (1-6) the OIA Red’s final playoff berth. A McKinley win would create a three-way tie at 1-6 for two spots.
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