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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, August 22, 2009

Defense leads way for Kamehameha


By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Kamehameha running back Keanu Haina is tackled from behind by Kailua's Calen Friel last night's at Kailua field.

REBECCA BREYER | The Honolulu Advertiser

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KAILUA — Impressively controlling the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, Kamehameha steamrolled past Kailua, 34-2, last night in interleague football action.

The Warriors improved to 2-0 in nonleague play and will face Wai'anae next.

Kailua fell to 1-1 and will open its O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red Conference season against Kahuku.

"We've got another big test right away," Surfriders coach Gary Rosolowich said.

Kamehameha's veteran defensive front — led by NCAA Division I prospects Beau Yap and Koa Ka'ai — dominated from the outset and helped limit Kailua to one first down through the first three quarters. And by that time, the Warriors led, 27-2.

On the game's first two plays from scrimmage, the Surfriders tried to run the ball but were stopped for a 1-yard gain and a loss of 1. After a third down incompletion, Kailua was forced to punt.

"That was our goal, to set the tone from the beginning," said Kamehameha nose guard Keko'o Weisbarth-Tafaoimalo. "We just had to execute our assignments and play as one unit."

The Warriors capitalized thanks to a fortunate bounce, as receiver Blaise Cuban picked up a fumble by running back Ryan Ho on their first possession and ran it in 35 yards for a touchdown. After Tyler Bar recovered a fumble on the ensuing series at the Surfriders' 21, Ho punched in a 1-yard TD four plays later and Tarra Gabriel's extra point put Kamehameha up, 13-0, barely four minutes into the game.

Warriors punter Brandan Marfil recovered a bad snap in the end zone for a safety, closing it to 13-2 with 1:51 remaining in the first quarter, but Kailua again went three-and-out after the free kick. After getting the ball back on Clint Aina's interception, the Surfriders gave it right back one play later on a fumble and Kamehameha cashed in immediately on Kupono Park's 2-yard touchdown run.

Gabriel's PAT made it 20-2 with 10:22 left in the half.

Kailua's best scoring opportunity on offense came just before intermission, when it gained first-and-goal on the 8. But after three incompletions, Austin Tilton was stopped just short of the goal line on fourth down after catching a pass from freshman quarterback Kahaku Iaea.

"We were just one inch short, and who knows, maybe that touchdown would have given us something for the second half," Rosolowich said. "We have a freshman quarterback and our offensive line is very inexperienced, but the reality is we need to be able to execute. Until we execute up front, nothing else will happen.

"But take nothing away from Kamehameha — they are very good. When one team is clearly dominating in the trenches like that, it just wasn't meant to be for us."

Ho, who rushed for a game-high 92 yards on 20 carries, scored on a 2-yard TD run with 2:29 remaining in the third quarter to help push the lead to 27-2, and Marfil recovered a fumble in the end zone with 4:24 left in the game to help make it 34-2.

KAMEHAMEHA (2-0) 13 7 7 7—34

KAILUA (1-1) 2 0 0 0— 2

KAMEHAMEHA — Blaise Cuban 35 run (kick failed).

KAMEHAMEHA — Ryan Ho 1 run (Tarra Gabriel kick)

KAILUA — Safety.

KAMEHAMEHA — Kupono Park 2 run (Gabriel kick).

KAMEHAMEHA — Park 2 run (Gabriel kick).

KAMEHAMEHA — Brandon Marfil fumble return (Gabriel kick).

RUSHING — Kamehameha: Ryan Ho 20-92, Blaise Cuban 0-35, Keanu Ruelke 1-2, Michael Kukahiwa-Haruno, Jr. 5-40, TC Campbell 1-(-8), Kupono Park 5-20, Christian Akana 2-5, Brandon Marfil 2-(-52), Ronson Nakoa-Moniz 2-(-2), Jason Muraoka 3-25, Jacob Makaiwi 1-0, Devin-Jackson Kawewehi 2-1, Bradley Keolapau'ole 1-5. Kailua: James Jones-Kamaunu 8-3, Clinton Aina 1-0, Kahaku Iaea 10-(-44), Isaac Sato 6-9.

PASSING — Kamehameha: Michael Kukahiwa-Haruno, Jr. 2-8-2-14; TC Campbell 4-7-0-50; Christian Akana 1-2-0-8. Kailua: Kahaku Iaea 12-22-0-107.

RECEIVING — Kamehameha: Keanu Haina 2-14, Dyson Ho'ohuli 2-29, Kaimipono Bento 1-8, Alexander Bell 1-10, Keanu Ruelke 1-11. Kailua: Corey Lau 6-90, Calen Friel 1-1, Eric Lum 2-13, Austin Tilton 2-17, Unaloto Uhila 1-6.

JV SCORE — KAMEHAMEHA 20, KAILUA 6

Reported by Tanya Hewahewa

Read his blog on high school sports at http://preptalk.honadvblogs.com