Defense sparks Nanakuli's victory
By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
Albert Distajo might not have liked his performance on offense, but he certainly made up for it on defense to help Nanakuli defeat Roosevelt, 27-6, in a regular-season opener of O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red Conference football last night at Roosevelt.
Distajo, who alternated series at quarterback with Jaycee Alapai, did not complete a pass and fumbled after a 17-yard gain. But his three interceptions at free safety took the air out of the Rough Riders' run-and-shoot.
"I didn't really like what I did today," Distajo said. "On defense I stepped up a little bit, but on offense I didn't really do that good. When we go back (to practice) Monday, we have to work on (minimizing of) our mistakes."
Nanakuli coach Al Beaver said he alternated the two to expose both players' strengths as quarterbacks and defensive backs. Alapai, who played strong and free safety, completed 3 of 5 passes for 96 yards.
"Scouts are coming out and I don't want to show a one-dimensional player," Beaver said. "(Distajo) is very talented and we want to do the same thing with Jaycee Alapai. That's why we feel there's no drop off in the quarterback position."
The Golden Hawks (1-0) scored on their third series, when running back Alex Maiava broke three tackles during the first 10 yards of his 59-yard touchdown run with 7:45 left in the first quarter. He then plowed behind an offensive line that averages 280 pounds for the two-point conversion to make it 8-0.
On its next series, Nanakuli struck quickly again, this time on John Henry Palakiko's 80-yard TD reception from Alapai on first down to make it 14-0. Palakiko was doing a back-pedal when he caught the ball at the Roosevelt 30, shaking loose from a Rough Riders' defender en route to the end zone.
"We have a lot of work to do," Roosevelt coach Les Parrilla said. "Missed tackles, missed assignments and we spot them 20 points."
Tailback Kyle Beck capped Nanakuli's scoring with TD runs of 25 yards in the second quarter and 20 yards in the third quarter.
Roosevelt (0-1) averted the shutout when running back Kevin Fujii lined up at quarterback from the shot-gun and scored on a two-yard run with 1:38 left in the game.
The Golden Hawks came out in a 3-3 to defend the Rough Riders' passing game and apparently it was enough to confuse quarterback La'akea Moikeha into throwing five interceptions. Besides Distajo, Dominic Gomes and Ronald Peneku each had one pick.
Nanakuli had three sacks, two by defensive end Rolando Celes.
"(Nanakuli) did a good job," Parrilla said. "They put a little pressure on him"
Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8042.
Nanakuli (1-0) 14 6 7 0—27
Roosevelt (0-1) 0 0 0 6— 6
- Nana—Alex Maiava 59 run (Maiava run)
- Nana—John Henry Palakiko 80 pass from Jaycee Alapai (pass failed)
- Nana—Kyle Beck 25 run (run failed)
- Nana—Beck 20 run (Maiava kick)
- Roos—Kevin Fujii 2 run (pass failed)
RUSHING—Nanakuli: Albert Distajo 10-36, Beck 17-84, Maiava 5-69, Donald Fisher 3-8, Alapai 4-(minus 7), Edmound Ybarra 1-0, Team 2-(minus 4). Roosevelt: La'akea Moikeha 12-2, Makaea Salis 6-14, Fujii 4-26.
PASSING—Nanakuli: Distajo 0-2-0—0, Alapai 3-5-0—96. Roosevelt: Moikeha 11-29-5—68.
RECEIVING—Nanakuli: Palakiko 1-80, Beck 1-11, Cyrus Nasau-Manuwai 1-5. Roosevelt: Brent Kawakami 2-2, Ricky Eusebio 1-13, Keenan Loo 3-21, Fujii 1-9, Del Onaga 2-12, Salis 2-11.
JV—Nanakuli 22, Roosevelt 7
