Posted on: Saturday, December 4, 2004
Warriors' secondary passes test in final
| • | Kamehameha is state's best |
| • | Campbell captures Division II crown |
| • | High school football gallery |
By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer
The Kamehameha Schools football team's secondary had no qualms about picking on the young guy last night.
Leilehua quarterback Bryant Moniz, a sophomore who entered the evening with just 13 interceptions in his previous 13 games, got a rude awakening with four picks by the Warriors' defensive backs last night.
Two of them led to second-half touchdowns in Kamehameha's 28-7 victory in the Division I state championship game at Aloha Stadium.
"If you watched us all year, that unit has played really well for us all season," Warriors coach Kanani Souza said. "We're always gonna trust them to do the job."
Shut out in the first half, the Warriors took a 14-7 lead in the third quarter, a turnaround that was started when cornerback Michael Holt killed a Mules' drive by intercepting a Moniz pass near the end zone. A few moments later, teammate Jayson Rego dashed 79 yards for a touchdown.
Holt also had an interception in the first half, as did cornerback Travis Uale
"It was just a lot of preparation, watching film every day," Holt said. "We knew (Moniz) was young, and we knew that if we pressed, he would want to throw the fade."
On the series following Rego's touchdown, Drew Ueno killed another Leilehua drive with a diving interception.
"They're very athletic and came prepared, and we didn't execute in the second half," Mules coach Nolan Tokuda said. "They communicated well, but we still should have made plays."
Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2456.
