honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, September 29, 2007

Koa, defense lift Kapolei over Leilehua, 21-0

By Kyle Sakamoto
Advertiser Staff Writer

Triple-threat Mason Koa and a relentless defense led Kapolei over visiting Leilehua, 21-0, last night in an O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red West football game.

Koa accomplished the rare feat of leading his team in pass attempts (19), receptions (4), receiving yards (75) and rushing attempts (13).

Kapolei's defense had four interceptions, forced three punts and got Leilehua to turn the ball over on downs three times.

Leilehua gained only 170 total yards.

"I'm just real proud of the defense," said Kapolei coach Darren Hernandez. "Not only the defense. The offense, when they had their opportunities they got it done. A great team effort all around. I'm proud of these boys, a lot of heart tonight. I love these guys."

Koa completed 10 passes for 76 yards and had 17 yards rushing.

"My O-line. I thank them," said Koa, a senior quarterback and wide receiver.

Hernandez added: "He took the opportunities that presented themselves. He made the most out of everything. An all-around great effort by Mason."

Koa caught all of his passes from Noah Pascua, who finished 6 of 10 for 87 yards.

Koa also had an 80-yard quick kick punt on third-and-26 from the Kapolei 2-yard line in the third quarter.

"We practice that quick kick because Mason is the punter," Hernandez said. "We kind of baited them into thinking we were going to throw it on third down. He hit it perfectly and that was the thing we really needed. The momentum was about to shift in their favor."

Leilehua quarterbacks combined to go 9 of 30 for 102 yards, with most of the production coming late in the game.

"The secondary was great," Hernandez said. "They were trying to pick on a couple of guys. We feel our back seven really is the strength of the 'D.' And tonight the D-line stepped it up."

Kapolei took the opening kickoff and drove 65 yards on 11 plays, capped by Chad Lopati's 9-yard run.

Later in the first quarter, the Hurricanes took advantage of a 10-yard punt by driving 40 yards on four plays. Koa scored on a 2-yard sneak with 1:18 remaining to make it 14-0.

A 12-yard pass from Koa to Shaydon Akuna late in the third made it 21-0.

The Mules used two quarterbacks in the first half and neither completed a pass. Their only completion was a double pass from running back Rico Newman to Elijah Manaea which went for 38 yards.

Leilehua gained only 68 yards in the first half. Kapolei had 118.

LEILEHUA (3-3, 2-2) 0 0 0 0— 0

KAPOLEI (4-2, 2-2) 14 0 7 0—21

Kap — Chad Lopati 9 run (Nacho Martinez kick)

Kap — Mason Koa 2 run (Martinez kick)

Kap — Shaydon Akuna 12 pass from Koa (Martinez kick)

RUSHING—Leilehua: Kaipo Kea 6-(minus 4), Bronson Pausa 2-3, Rico Newman 7-53, Kaipo DeRego 4-16. Kapolei: Koa 13-17, Chase Alcott 4-38, Noah Pascua 4-(minus 17), Lopati 2-10, Shenon Moore 9-65, Keli'i Aki 2-7, Jason Recamara 4-19, Cyril Ontai 1-3, Curtis Donald 1-4, Bryan Tabion 1-13, Kelvin Perreira 2-8, team 1-(minus 30).

PASSING—Leilehua: Kea 8-18-3—66, DeRego 1-12-1—8, Newman 1-1-0—38. Kapolei: Koa 10-19-0—76, Pascua 6-10-0—87, Alcott 0-1-0—0.

RECEIVING—Leilehua: Elijah Manaea 2-45, Edieson Dumlao 4-32, Allan Macam 1-8, Allan DeGuzman-Pacheco 2-12, Sean Kinington 1-15. Kapolei: Koa 4-75, Alcott 3-27, Tyler Kukahiko 1-7, Recamara 3-10, Akuna 1-12, Moore 2-11, Aki 1-10, Daniel 1-11.

JV—Kapolei 13, Leilehua 7

BIIF

KONAWAENA 44, KA'U 6

The Wildcats (1-6, 1-3) defeated the Trojans (0-4, 0-4) in a Big Island Interscholastic Federation Division II game.

KEALAKEHE 54, WAIAKEA 35

The Waveriders (6-0, 4-0) remained undefeated in Big Island Interscholastic Federation Division I with a win over the Warriors (1-5, 1-3).

KIF

KAUA'I 43, KAPA'A 7

The Red Raiders (4-1, 2-1) defeated the Warriors (2-4, 0-3) in a Kaua'i Interscholastic Federation game.

Reach Kyle Sakamoto at ksakamoto@honoluluadvertiser.com.