Varsity blues for Hurricanes
By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
WAI'ANAE — Perennial power Wai'anae spoiled Kapolei's inaugural varsity game with a 28-0 win last night at Raymond Torii Field.
Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser
Two first quarter turnovers gave the Seariders a jump start against a team that is composed of about 35 juniors and 15 sophomores. Kapolei has no senior class.
Kapolei back Ruben Orosco found a little running room before getting tackled by Wai'anae's Nehemiah Malaki during the first quarter of last night's preseason game at Wai'anae. Kapolei lost in its varsity football debut, 28-0.
The Hurricanes are the first O'ahu Interscholastic Association team to make a varsity football debut since 1975 (Mililani). They got a lesson in higher education in last night's non-league contest.
"We were in real school today," Kapolei coach Darren Hernandez said. "We were really learning today. But I expected something like this. To have anything else would have been a surprise to me because this team is so young. They fought hard and played hard. We made some big mistakes early that put us in a hole."
Two first quarter turnovers led to the Seariders first two scores of the game.
A heavy rush by lineman Keone Taaca forced Kapolei quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada into throwing an interception by linebacker Kevin Kauweloa. His 15-yard return set the Seariders up at the Kapolei 44. Seven plays later, fullback Sautia Lave bowled into the end zone with 38 seconds showing in the first quarter.
Kapolei then fumbled the ensuing kickoff. Ikaika Aikala recovered for Wai'anae at the Kapolei 11. After a five-yard encroachment penalty against the Hurricanes, running back Chad Rodrigues scored from the 6. A personal foul penalty against Wai'anae after the TD forced it to try the PAT from 35 yards out. Hoopii missed, but the Seariders led 13-0 with 28 seconds left in the quarter.
The Hurricanes knocked on the door just before the half. A 19-yard run by Kaheaku-Enhada on a fake punt on fourth-and-7 at the Seariders' 43 and a personal foul penalty against Wai'anae on yet another fourth-down situation kept the Hurricanes drive alive with under two minutes left. Kapolei got down to the Wai'anae 1, but failed to scored on four tries before time ran out.
Despite the margin, the Hurricanes held their own for a good part of the game. Minus the turnovers, the game might be 15-0. The Seariders resorted to their running game in the second half, giving the ball frequently to Lave, who finished with 80 yards on 14 carries. On some of his runs, he gave Kapolei tacklers a ride before being stopped.
"I just go blank when I run," Lave said. "I just run strong."
The Seariders showed that power in the third quarter. Lave had 30 yards on four carries in a 10-play, 89-yard drive that ended with 31-yard TD pass from Faliuga to Chris Lave with 2:39 left in the third quarter. Faliuga ran in the two-point conversion to make it 21-0. Faliuga completed 7-of-9 passes — the last seven were consecutive — for 105 yards.
Wai'anae capped its scoring in the fourth quarter on a 1-yard run by running back Chevy Teves.
Considering the opponent's history as a traditional power in the Red, the game was a good gauge for the upstart Hurricanes, who will compete in the White.
"They're tough," Wai'anae coach Dan Matsumoto said. "They have a lot of talent. I think they will do well in the White."
"I was pleased with somethings out there, but we have a lot of work to do," Hernandez said. "I think we'll be competitive in the White. This will only help us to get better."
Roosevelt tops Pearl City, 14-0
Adveritser Staff
The visiting Roosevelt Rough Riders got two touchdown passes en route to a 14-0 preseason victory over the Pearl City Chargers.
La'akea Moikeha passed 47 yards to Cameron Kimura for a second-quarter score. Bryson Borges passed 28 yards to Ivan Fujii for a fourth-period score.
• Mililani 27, Kaiser 7: Sean Fujimoto scored on runs of 1 and 9 yards and Jose Santos returned the opening kickoff 85 yards for a score to lift host Mililani.
• Waipahu 45, Moanalua 13: The Marauders ran off to a 31-0 halftime lead en route to a runaway victory.
• Leilehua 23, Castle 15: Jon Sanborn rushed for two touchdowns and P.J. San Nicholas returned a fumble 30 yards for a third-quarter TD as the visiting Mules rallied past the Knights.
• Scotts Valley (Calif.) 27, St. Anthony 16: Andrew Wick threw three touchdown passes to Matt Anderson, all in the second half.
The touchdown passes covered 17, 22 and 30 yards.
Daniel Parker threw two touchdown passes for St. Anthony.
• Kapa'a 26, King Kekaulike 14: Dustin Mundon scored on runs of 13 and 1 yard in the second half to lead the host Warriors of Kaua'i over the Na Alii of the Big Island at Vidinha Stadium.
Prep correction
Today's football game between Campbell and Kalaheo will be played at Mililani High School field. JV games start 5 p.m. with varsity at about 7:30 p.m.
TODAY'S GAMES
All school sites, JV game at 5 p.m., with varsity to follow 25 minutes after JV game, unless noted.
• Kalaheo vs. Campbell at Mililani
• Kaimuki at 'Aiea, 5 p.m. JV
• Punahou at 'Aiea, varsity, 25 minutes after end of JV game
• Kailua at Hawai'i Prep, 2 p.m., varsity only
• McKinley at Kealakehe, 7:30 p.m.
• St. Louis at Nanakuli
