Posted on: Saturday, October 23, 2004
Safety lifts Kailua past Nanakuli, 14-12
By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer
KAILUA — In a self-described "ugly" game with an even uglier aftermath, the Kailua High School football team squeezed past Nanakuli, 14-12, last night in the first round of the O'ahu Interscholastic Association playoffs.
The winning points came on a Nanakuli punt snap that sailed past the punter and eventually was downed in the end zone for a safety with 9:34 remaining. After the game's final play — with Kailua taking a knee at the Nanakuli 24-yard line — a scuffle broke out at the line of scrimmage. It soon erupted into a benches-clearing brawl, with spectators running onto the field to join in the fracas.
The teams were separated after about 90 seconds, but another fight between fans broke out in the parking lot 10 minutes after the game, and additional police cars arrived. Kailua athletic director Mel Imai said no arrests were made.
The skirmishes capped off a night that started with driving rain sweeping across the field, contributing to a combined six lost fumbles. The teams also combined for 19 penalties for 185 yards, not to mention failed conversions on all four touchdowns.
"It was not a pretty game, it got ugly at times," Kailua coach Gary Rosolowich said. "But the score is what it is, and we achieved it to allow us to play next week."
The Surfriders (4-4-1) will play Mililani (8-0) at 4:30 p.m. Friday in quarterfinal action at Aloha Stadium. Nanakuli ends its season at 3-6.
Kailua's vaunted running game was limited to 120 yards last night. The Surfriders took a 6-0 lead in the first quarter when offensive lineman Ryan Rodrigues picked up a loose ball and ran it in from 15 yards out. The Golden Hawks tied it on the first play of the second quarter, on quarterback Jaycee Alapai's 3-yard run.
Kailua went up 12-6 midway through the third quarter on its lone big-yardage play of the night, an 87-yard catch-and-run by Damien Torres after an inside screen pass from quarterback Kelroy Kohatsu.
Alapai's 1-yard sneak with 46 seconds remaining in the third quarter tied it again, but the extra point attempt failed.
The safety came one play after Alapai completed a long pass, but was called for throwing it while past the line of scrimmage. That set up a fourth-and-23 situation from the Nanakuli 21, and the punt snap sailed into the end zone.
KAILUA (4-4-1) 6 0 6 2 — 14
Kai—Ryan Rodrigues 15 fumble return (kick blocked)
Nana—Jaycee Alapai 3 run (pass failed)
Kai—Damien Torres 87 pass from Kelroy Kohatsu (pass failed)
Nana—Alapai 1 run (kick failed)
Kai—Safety, punt snapped into end zone
RUSHING—Nanakuli: Alapai 19-113, Edmond Ybarra 6-45, Alex Maiava 8-43, Joshua Gisa 2-2. Kailua: Kekoa Su'a 8-29, Torres 19-95, Kohatsu 2-(minus-4).
PASSING—Nanakuli: Alapai 1-9-0—11. Kailua: Kohatsu 5-10-1—112.
RECEIVING—Nanakuli: Alex Distajo 1-11. Kailua: Shaun Forges 1-2, Aaron Sylva 2-18, Torres 1-87, Su'a 1-5.
JV score: Kailua 33, Nanakuli 6.
Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2456.
NANAKULI (3-6) 0 6 6 0 —12
