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Prep Beat

By Star-Bulletin Staff

Saturday, August 19, 2000

Kahuku falls in
‘Rumble in the Rockies’

Waimea stuns Punahou

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By Jay Drew
Special to the Star-Bulletin

SALT LAKE CITY -- The Kahuku Red Raiders made the long transoceanic trip to play an interstate prep football game last night against Utah's dominant program, then lost by inches in the final seconds.

In front of one of the largest crowds in Utah high school football history at Skyline Stadium, an estimated 8,000 strong, Skyline quarterback Steve Tate lunged over the goal line with 18 seconds left to lift Utah's No. 1-ranked Eagles to a 24-21 win over the Red Raiders.

As lightning crackled in every direction overhead and ear-splitting roars of thunder bounced off Mount Olympus amidst a steady drizzle, Utah's top team and the defending Oahu Interscholastic Association champions battled to a near-draw in the first half, the difference being a 22-yard Skyline field goal.

"We just beat a tremendous football team," said Skyline assistant coach Larry Eldracher. "If we played eight quarters, it would probably be a three-point game, one way or another. They had tremendous athletes on both sides of the ball. Big kids who could run like the wind. We were evenly matched. ... If we don't have to send all our kids to the emergency ward, we'll be all right. They banged us up pretty good."

Dancers from the Polynesian Cultural Center performed before the game and at halftime, and Kahuku supporters almost outnumbered Skyline patrons.

Skyline, ranked No. 48 nationally, brought a 21-game winning streak into the contest. They've also won five consecutive Utah large-school state championships.

But Kahuku, much larger at nearly every position, almost ended it.

The Red Raiders overcame an early 14-0 deficit and took the lead, 21-17, when A.J. Smith scored on a 1-yard touchdown run with 10:24 remaining in the game. Moments later, Skyline had a 60-yard touchdown pass nullified by an illegal procedure penalty, and Kahuku appeared to be in control when Bryson Au intercepted a pass with 3:11 left.

However, Smith was stripped and fumbled on Kahuku's next play, with Tate recovering, and Tate drove the Eagles 63 yards in 10 plays for the winning score. Tate ran for 161 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries out of Skyline's wishbone attack, while Kahuku went to the air for most of its yards.

Junior quarterback Inoke Funaki, in a brilliant debut, threw for 204 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Smith picked up 55 yards on 13 carries, and Marcus Salanoa had 45 yards on six attempts.

"That was the most physical football team I have ever played against," Tate said. "Those guys could hit. Boy, could they hit."

With offensive linemen averaging 280 pounds and a pair of 250-pound running backs (Smith and Earvin Atuaia), Kahuku pounded the ball at the smaller Eagles the entire game.

Skyline's wishbone baffled Kahuku early, and the Eagles scored on their first two possessions. They went 53 and 70 yards to take a 14-0 lead in an emotional first half that produced a pair of unsportsmanlike conduct penalties from both teams.

The momentum turned in Kahuku's direction when Funaki and Muliwai Pula hooked up on a 74-yard catch-and-run on 2nd-and-28 midway through the second quarter.

On its next possession, Kahuku went 73 yards and scored when Ferron Fonoimoana caught an 11-yard pass from Funaki.

"It was definitely the 'Rumble in the Rockies,' just liked they called it," Tate said.

"We knew we could do it. Hawaii football vs. Utah football. It was just a thrill."

Kahuku	0	14	0	7- 21
Skyline (Utah)	7	10	0	7- 24

Scoring summary

Sky -- Matt Cannon 5 run (Aaron Mangone kick).
Second quarter
Sky -- Cannon 10 run (Mangone kick).
Kah -- Muliwai Pula 74 pass from Inoke Funaki (Solomon Lee kick).
Kah -- Ferron Fonoimoana 11 pass from Funaki (Lee kick).
Sky -- Mangone 22 FG.
Kah -- A.J. Smith 1 run (Lee kick).
Sky -- Steve Tate 1 run (Mangone kick).

Individual statistics

Rushing -- Kahuku: Inoke Funaki 7-23; Muliwai Pula 8-31; Marcus Salanoa 6-45; A.J. Smith 13-55; Earvin Autuaia 9-39. Skyline: Steve Tate 20-161; Matt Cannon 10-25; Darren Duckworth 7-19; Adam Breen 3-19; Jeff Baird 2-10.
Passing--Kahuku: Inoke Funaki 10-20-1--204. Skyline: Steve Tate 6-9-1--63.
Receiving--Kahuku: Muliwai Pula 4-120; James Kammererl 1-3; Saia Hafoka 1-12; Ferron Fonoimoana 2-24; Marcus Salanoa 1-18; Vai Napaa 2-33. Skyline: Matt Cannon 1-7; Adam Breen 3-56.

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Waimea stuns Punahou
in preseason opener

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Star-Bulletin staff

The Waimea High School Menehunes showed the form that took them to the state semifinals last season with a 21-13 victory yesterday over the Punahou Buffanblu at Hanapepe Stadium on Kauai.

The Menehunes scored first on their opening drive that was capped by a 7-yard touchdown run by Jessie Sablan.

A fumble recovery by Christian Faleafine set up the tying score for the Buffanblu. Several plays later, quarterback Todd LaFountaine was headed for the end zone, but he fumbled at the Waimea 2-yard line. The ball rolled into the end zone and teammate Jason Sakata recovered for a touchdown.

Joshua May's 7-yard scoring run gave the Menehunes a 14-7 lead midway through the second quarter.

There wasn't another score until the fourth when Waimea built up a 21-7 edge on Chesley Barba's 35-yard touchdown burst.

LaFountaine also had a 7-yard TD keeper.

Punahou	0	7	0	6--13
Waimea	7	7	0	7--21

Scoring summary

WAIM -- Jessie Sablan 7 run (Adrian Agan kick)
PUN-- Jason Sakata fumble recovery in end zone (Darren Lee kick)
WAIM -- Joshua May 7 run (Agan kick)
WAIM-- Chesley Barba 35 run (Agan kick)
PUN-- Todd LaFountaine 7 run (kick blocked)
Individual statistics
Rushing--Punahou: Todd LaFountaine 18-78, Nainoa Kuna 7-29, Tamatoa Hackney 5-8, David Weick 4-(-5). Waimea: Jessie Sablan 12-150, Joshua May 18-96, Chesley Barba 10-67.
Passing--Punahou: Todd Lafountaine 20-37-287-1. Waimea: Nikko Naumu 0-1-0--0.
Receiving--Punahou: Nainoa Kuna 11-200, Brian Sanders 4-45, Kenneth Patton 2-24, David Weick 1-8, Tamatoa Hackney 1-7, Richard Kim 1-3.

Kamehameha 33, Waipahu 6

Five different players scored touchdowns as the Warriors routed the Marauders at Aloha Stadium.

The second half was played under a running time situation. Waipahu dressed only 21 players of the 44 on its roster.

"Our first priority is teaching the kids discipline," said coach Todd Fujimori, who declined to elaborate on the specific reason for holding out the players.

Waipahu	6	0	0	0--6
Kamehameha	19	14	0	0--33

Scoring summary

KAM --Nainoa Spencer 5 pass from Caleb Spencer (Kaui Arakaki kick)
WAIP -- Marcus Sagapolu 1 run (kick failed)
KAM-- Jonathan Fo 11 run (kick failed)
KAM-- Tyler Perkins 55 punt return (kick failed)
KAM-- Shane Briones 1 run (Arakaki kick)
KAM-- Ko Kealoha 97 pass from C. Spencer (Arakaki kick)

Individual statistics

Rushing--Waipahu: Sagapolu 12-31, Avei Moevao 3-49, Paulo Aga 4-27. Kamehameha: Kelena Hookano 4-(-7), Blake Villamor 3-8, Briones 4-26, Fo 3-27, Keola Marks 3-3.
Passing--Waipahu: Aga 4-10-2--16. Kamehameha: C. Spencer 5-8-0--133, Fo 5-8-0--43, Kawai Akina 2-3-0--16.
Receiving--Waipahu: Frank Maea 2-1, Moevao 2-15. Kamehameha: Keano Noa 5-50, Kealoha 1-97, N. Spencer 1-5, Kolo Kapanui 1-15, Mana Aweau 2-14, Kimo Yates 2-12.

Kalaheo 22, Radford 12

The Rams struck first, but could only hold their early lead for one play.

Michael Garcia hooked up with Anthony Ornellas for a 52-yard score on the Mustangs' first play from scrimmage and Kalaheo never looked back.

The visiting Mustangs scored 22 unanswered points in the first half.

Kalaheo	13	9	0	0--22
Radford	6	0	6	0--12

Scoring summary

RAD -- Jason Ioane 15 run (kick failed).
KALAH -- Anthony Ornellas 52 pass from Michael Garcia (kick failed).
KALAH -- Ikaika Hollinger 17 pass from Garcia (Ornellas kick).
KALAH-- Kalani Kane 52 run (kick failed).
KALAH-- Ornellas 30 FG.
RAD-- Justin Rellin 13 run (pass failed).

Individual statistics

Rushing--Kalaheo: Richard Walter 9-47; Kane 12-120; Shaydon Marumoto 4-6; Garcia 5-5. Radford: Iaone 15-73; Rellin 13-68; David Foster 5-21; Shane Wilbertson 8-24; Jeremy Hoover 4-15.
Passing--Kalaheo: Garcia 5-12-0--118. Radford: Foster 3-9-0--26.
Receiving--Kalaheo: Ornellas 1-52; Hollinger 1-17; Keona Filiga 2-29; Kane 1-10. Radford: Rellin 2-13; Daniel Arcilla 1-13.
Junior varsity score: Radford 40, Kalaheo 0.

Castle 27, Aiea 14

Senior Kaleo Segovia picked up right where he left off last season, scoring four touchdowns to lead the host Knights. Segovia scored three touchdowns in last season's finale against Waipahu.

Segovia put last night's game out of reach when he scored on a 15 yard run in the third quarter to give Castle a 21-8 lead.

Aiea	0	0	8	6--14
Castle	7	7	7	6--27

Scoring summary

CAST -- Kaleo Segovia 1 run (Nolan Miranda kick).
CAST -- Segovia 27 pass from Joseph Botelho (Miranda kick).
AIEA -- Omar Tucker 6 pass from Nate Olaivar (Samson Chung run).
CAST -- Segovia 15 run (Miranda kick).
Fourth quarter
AIEA -- Tucker 78 pass from Olaivar (conversion failed).
CAST -- Segovia 4 run (conversion failed).

Individual statistics

Rushing--Aiea: Faasalele Neemia, Jr. 14-71; Olaivar 5-(-6). Castle: Segovia 15-68; Botelho 15-75; Keha Ho 1-(-10); Loren Lum 2-0; Miranda 2-6; Josh Ramos 1-(-3).
Passing--Aiea: Olaivar 15-33-3--173. Castle: Botelho 12-25-1--131.
Receiving--Aiea: Jeremy Yuen 2-15; Lole Laolagi 2-16; Tucker 4-103; Neemia 3-31; Chris Antonio 3-5. Castle: Kekoa Michelman 3-40; Derek Kuwabara 2-20; Lum 1-9; Pono Kon 1-6; Segovia 3-51; Ikaika Ho 2-5.
Junior varsity score: Aiea 35, Castle 14.

Campbell 22, Roosevelt 0

The Sabers defense picked off three passes and limited the Rough Riders to 164 yards of offense in posting the shutout. Campbell's Vince Lemau tossed three scoring passes and led the Sabers to over 300 yards of offense.

Roosevelt	0	0	0	0-- 0
Campbell	0	15	7	0--22

Scoring summary

CAMP -- Jarvis Caballes 7 pass from Vince Lemau (Armond Kalani pass from Wallace Simau).
CAMP -- Raymond Morck 53 pass from Lemau (Shauncey Saito kick).
CAMP -- Justin Pantohan 16 pass from Lemau (Saito kick).

Individual statistics

Rushing--Roosevelt: Kailio Coelho 14-53, Corey Higa 9-17, Jason Nagamine 1-3, Dustin Hau 3-12, Kealii Oleole 1-(-11), Joey Shimabuku 2-24. Campbell: Shauncey Saito 9-18, Emil Kaku 3-4, Jamison Rabaino 4-79, Lemau 2-7, Wallace Simamu 1-7.
Passing--Roosevelt: Corey Higa 6-12-1--43; Kealii Oleole 3-6-2--23. Campbell: Wallace Simanu 1-1-0--11; Lemau 9-23-1--187 yards.
Receiving--Roosevelt: Jerry Perreira 1-3, Shown Francis 1-6, Jonathan Higa 2-11, Coelho 1-9, Shimabuko 3-31, Eric Kobayashi 1-23. Campbell: Raymond Morck 1-53, Jamison Rabaino 2-78, Chris Baker 1-8, Jarvis Caballes 1-11, Jeff Deguzman 1-15, Justin Pantohan 2-19, Saito 1-3, Romeo Mayrena 1-11.
Junior varsity score: Campbell 26, Roosevelt 7.

Moanalua 31, King Kekaulike 14

Menehune coach Jose Guevara said before the game that he expects big things this year from his new starting quarterback, Jimmy Strombach.

He did get a big play from Strombach - an 80 yard touchdown pass to Rob Theieralt in the second quarter- but he also got two more scoring strikes from QB Rick Fukushima in the fourth quarter to erase a 14-12 deficit.

Sandwhiched in between those two touchdowns in the final quarter was a rushing score from one yard out by John Bareng.

King Kekaulike	0	7	7	0--14
Moanalua	0	12	0	19--31

Junior varsity score: Kahuku 40, Moanalua 0.

Waianae 34, Nanakuli 0

The first meeting between the two Leeward teams in almost a decade was decided quickly as the Seariders used big plays on both sides of the ball to ruin Al Beaver's debut as coach of the Golden Eagles.

Nanakuli	0	0	0	0-- 0
Waianae	21	0	13	0--34

Scoring summary

WAIAN-- Graen Enriquez 15 pass from Jonah Nunuha (kick failed).
WAIAN -- Brandon Lopez 5 run (Lopez run).
WAIAN -- Brian Lave 15 interception return (Sean Bebeau kick).
WAIAN -- Peter Sarono 85 kickoff return (kick failed).
WAIAN -- James Woodard 10 pass from Nunuha (Bebeau kick).

Kaiser 36, Ka'u 20

The Cougars' record-setting quarterback B.J. Bernard riddled the visiting Trojans from the Big Island for five touchdown passes, including three to Keoni Doo.

Ka‘u	0	8	0	12--20
Kaiser	0	22	7	7--36

Scoring summary

Kaiser -- Keoni Doo 32 pass from B.J. Bernard (Landon Beers kick)
Kaiser -- Doo 36 pass from Bernard (Beers kick)
Ka'u -- Gerik Akamu 9 run (Bronson Avenue run)
Kaiser -- Marc Esteban 35 pass from Bernard (Doo pass from Bernard)
Kaiser -- Doo 12 pass from Bernard (Beers kick)
Kaiser -- Gerard Collier 2 pass from Bernard (Beers kick)
Ka'u -- Avenue 12 run (pass failed)
Ka'u -- Thomas Naboa 16 pass from Akamu (pass failed)

Individual statistics

Rushing--Kaiser: Bernard 11-63, Ian Matsuda 5-19, David Chu 3-19, Collier 3-9, Beers 2-4.:Ka'u: Avenue 5-64, Akamu 10-22, Naboa 5-5.
Passing--Kaiser: Bernard 22-33-0--278. Ka'u: Akamu 8-15-0--78.
Receiving--Kaiser: Esteban 5-94, Doo 4-95, Matsuda 6-32, Kalena Gibo 2-17, Beers 2-14, Collier 2-3, Ikaika Pai 1-16. Ka'u: Naboa 5-58, Antoni Pua 2-3, Avenue 1-17.