1:58 p.m.
It’s hot as Vegas this afternoon at Eddie Hamada Field. ALmost zero breeze, somewhat muggy and boiling heat. I’m expecting a clash of contrasts, hoping for a crazy pinball-action score.
There’s no open space today to shoot video at the top of the bleachers (like last week when Leilehua visited), so I’m “stuck” in the ice-cold, air-conditioned press box. It’s a nice problem. Just can’t hear the crowd. Almost completely.
My Pupule pick yesterday was and still is Raiders 51, Warriors 42. Here we go!
2:23 p.m.
Jordan Ross has run for touchdowns of 22 and 32 yards already and the Raiders lead 15-0 with 4:02 to play in the opening quarter. Connor Ohira’s interception set up the second score. Ohira actually ran the ball back for a touchdown, but the Raiders were flagged for a chop block on the return.
Warriors trying to run and get Ina Teofilo going, and they drove into ‘Iolani territory on their first drive — with help from an ‘Iolani roughing-the-passer call — before stalling and punting.
‘Iolani scored on a 2-point conversion run by Max Look after the first touchdown.
2:30 p.m.
Nice pick down the sideline by KS-Hawaii’s #32 on a pass by Austin Jim On. There’s no #32 on the roster, so for now, he is “mystery guy.”
2:32 p.m.
Ross just went up the middle, angled left, then cut back and blew past a safety en route to a 46-yard touchdown run. This, this is the Jordan Ross I’d heard about. Cutback ability while losing hardly any speed — pure vision and talent.
Raiders lead 22-0 with 1:00 left in the first quarter.
2:40 p.m.
Jim On with a nice corner-route touchdown pass to Chad Hanaoka. Raiders lead 29-0 with 11:53 left in the second quarter.
2:50 p.m.
He done it again. KS-Hawaii’s drive ends with another interception — third of the game. First play from the Raider 16-yard line, Ross blasts through the middle, untouched for an 84-yard touchdown. Raiders lead 36-0 with less than 8 minutes to play in the half. Unofficially, Ross has 206 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
2:56 p.m.
Mystery guy #32 has his second pick, again on nice coverage on a fly route down the right sideline. Who is this guy?
FYI, the ‘Iolani school rushing mark for one game is held, of course, by Joe Igber, who had 352 yards against Pac-Five on Oct. 23, 1998. In fact, Ross’ 206 yards don’t even crack the Top 10 all-time among Iolani rushers. How do I know? Because Jerry Campany has it on the ‘Iolani home page here. The Mad Researcher is Jerry.
So, unless Ross stays in the game for another quarter or so, he won’t be anywhere near the school record. But the way things look right now, he could probably do it. If he got the chance. My hunch is he’s pau for the day. The coaching staff has been very careful about his workload, his being just a sophomore.
4:29 p.m.
Game over. Running clock ruled. Both teams played a lot of reserves in the second half. KS-Hawaii Coach Dan Lyons is optimistic. They gave their QB plenty of protection. They ran the ball much better after halftime. Teofilo looked good.
Playing here against the seven-time defending D-II state champs will make the Warriors better in the long run, Lyons said. I tend to agree with him. But what they also need is reps in the passing game, and it’s still August. Time is on their side.
Among HPA, Konawaena and KS-Hawaii, it looks like a toss-up right now. What a battle that’s going to be in BIIF D-II.
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