Amina helps Wai'anae pick off playoff win over Castle
By Kalani Takase
Advertiser Staff Writer
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Guyson Amina was a one-man force on defense Friday night. The junior defensive back led a staunch Wai'anae defense with four interceptions in a 25-13 win over Castle.
Amina, who stands 5 feet 9 and weighs 145 pounds, was one of three Seariders to intercept a pass against the Knights, who turned it over seven times. Charles Inferrera had two interceptions and Tyrell Ka'aha'aina also had one.
Despite getting seven takeaways, Wai'anae could only turn two into scores.
"I didn't realize we had that many turnovers, but we just couldn't capitalize on many of them," Wai'anae coach Dan Matsumoto said.
Of the two that did produce touchdowns — including one by Amina — Matsumoto said: "Those were key interceptions. It's hard to stop (Castle's) offense."
Another pick gave the Seariders the game's final possession and they ran out the clock with two kneel-downs.
"That one kind of made us a little more relaxed knowing we could kill the clock after that," Matsumoto said.
He also credited the defensive linemen for putting pressure on Castle quarterback Jaysen Ferreira.
"Our D-line, they put some good effort as far as rushing the passer," Matsumoto said. "We knew we needed the four down linemen to play hard throughout the game."
Matsumoto gave credit to the Knights, who played without starting quarterback Blake Rapozo.
"That's kind of tough to throw someone in there who doesn't have much experience, but he was still able to complete some passes so give that boy credit," said Matsumoto.
Ferreira was making his first start after Rapozo suffered a broken collarbone in the regular-season finale.
Despite allowing 301 passing yards, Wai'anae held Castle to minus-22 yards on 17 rushes. The Knights were just 1 of 6 on third down conversions.
The win also snapped a two-game losing streak for the Seariders, who dropped league games at home against Waipahu and Mililani to close the regular season.
As the O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red Division Tournament enters the semifinal round, Wai'anae meets another power in Kahuku at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Aloha Stadium.
Said Matsumoto of the matchup against the No. 4-ranked Red Raiders: "That should be fun," he laughed. "Their running attack looks so sound, we're going to have to beef up our (defensive) line."
Reach Kalani Takase at ktakase@honoluluadvertiser.com.