Posted on: Saturday, September 7, 2002
Wai'anae overcomes mistakes, Leilehua to win OIA West game
By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
WAI'ANAE — Wai'anae overcame four turnovers and 13 penalties totaling 118 yards to down Leilehua, 26-12, in O'ahu Interscholastic Association Western Division football last night at Raymond Torii Field.
The Seariders (1-1 West, 2-1 overall), ranked fifth in The Advertiser Top 10, turned three of five Leilehua (1-1, 2-1) turnovers into touchdowns themselves to notch their first division win.
"We didn't take care of the ball," Leilehua coach Jake Kawamata said. "Our defense played well, but the fumbles killed us."
Wai'anae's defense played better, holding the Mules to 143 yards in offense.
"Our defense played aggressively," Wai'anae coach Dan Matsumoto said. "As bad as last week was (against Kahuku), they played tough."
Fullback Sautia Lave led all rushers with 129 yards on 19 carries, including a 22-yard TD run for the Seariders.
After the Seariders took a 3-0 first-quarter lead on a 33-yard field goal by Kalani Hoopii, an interception by defensive back Ikaika Aikala set up Wai'anae's 58-yard scoring drive that was culminated on a 30-yard TD pass from Uilau Faliuga to Nathaniel Russell with 6:14 left in the second quarter that increased the Seariders' lead to 10-0.
Thurston Ulufale then recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff at the Mules' 22, where Lave scored on first down with 5:50 left in the half to give the Seariders a 17-0 lead.
Leilehua outside linebacker P.J. San Nicholas returned an interception of Faliuga 34 yards for Leilehua's first score with 2:30 left in the third quarter to cut Wai'anae's lead to 17-6.
A five-yard fumble return by lineman Chris Medeiros gave the Seariders a 24-6 lead.
LEILEHUA (1-1, 2-1) 0 0 66—12 Wain—FG Kalani Hoopii 33
RUSHING—Leilehua: Joshua Perez 3-(minus 19), Jon Sanborn 13-30, San Nicholas 1-14, Thomas 7-41, Blake Furtado 4-15, Edward Garma 1-5. Wai'anae: Uilau Faliuga 4-(minus 6), S. Lave 19-129, Chris Lave 8-88, Jared Laa 4-32, Chad Rodrigues 5-2, Charles Willis-Aldeguer 4-11, Addison Popa 2-2, Roman I 1-2.
PASSING—Leilehua: Perez 3-13-1—47, Daylen Hale 1-1-0—13. Wai'anae: Faliuga 4-9-2—51, Popa 1-3-0—27. RECEIVING—Leilehua: Rory Jones 2-30, Dallas Pauu 1-29, Sanborn 1-1. Waianae: Russell 2-38, Daniel Keaulii 1-2, S. Lave 1-11, Hoopii 1-27. JV—Leilehua 7, Wai'anae 6.
WAI'ANAE (1-1, 2-1) 31472—26
Wain—Nathaniel Russell 30 pass from Uilau Faliuga (Hoopii kick)
Wain—Sautia Lave 22 run (Hoopii kick)
Lei—P.J. San Nicholas 34 interception return (kick failed)
Wain—Chris Medeiros 5 fumble return (Hoopii kick)
Lei—Cedric Thomas 7 run (pass failed)
Wain—Safety, ball snapped out of end zone.
