Undersized Justin Paderes has been playing big for Kaimuki.

The junior running back rushed for more than 100 yards for the third straight game, leading Kaimuki past Waialua, 34-20, Friday in an O'ahu Interscholastic Association White Division football game.

One of the state's top rushers, Paderes has been putting up big numbers for someone who's not quite at his listed 5-foot-5 height.

"He works hard and fights through adversity," Kaimuki coach Darren Johnson said. "He runs hard — a lot of effort and fight. His work ethic, it's hard to find a harder working young man than him."

Paderes has stepped into a role that might not have been meant for him. He was the third running back on the team at the end of spring practices, but an injury to James Bower in the first game of the season and the switching of Tavita Aholeilei to fullback meant it was time for Paderes to move up. Coaches were more than comfortable with Paderes filling in.

"We had to make some moves," Johnson said. "He had to step up and he carried the load. We felt comfortable with him carrying the load. We feel real fortunate he stepped up."

Paderes' first touchdown run against Waialua in the second quarter tied the game at 7-7. He added an 8-yard run for a touchdown later as Kaimuki broke open the game with three touchdowns in the second. Paderes scored another touchdown in the third and finished with 129 yards on 21 carries.

He was 23-201 with two touchdowns against Roosevelt on Sept. 29 and 18-124 with three touchdowns against Waipahu on Sept. 14.

"He's one of those players who gets better as the game goes," Johnson said.

Paderes, who Johnson described as humble and quiet, has played a big part in Kaimuki's success this season. The Bulldogs are 6-0 in the OIA White and eyeing the possibility of a state Division II tournament berth.

As for the rest of the season, "we see him doing the same thing, running hard and working hard," Johnson said.

Reach Stanley Lee at sktlee@honoluluadvertiser.com.