[ HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL ]
OIA RED
A week-long rain put the lights out in the Kahuku gym, cancelling the homecoming dance. Less than two minutes into last night's football game, visiting Kailua made known its intent to do the same to the Red Raider football team. Kahuku tops Kailua
for East title
Standings
Nanakuli clinches with win over Kaimuki
By Marc Dixon
mdixon@starbulletin.comKailua scored on its first possession and took a 7-0 lead into halftime, but self-destructed after intermission as Kahuku rallied to defend its home field and capture the OIA East Red title with a 12-7 win.
With much more on the line than homecoming pride, Kailua took its first possession 65 yards in six plays and looked poised to end Kahuku's four-year reign as the OIA Red's top team. After two incomplete passes by Ranson Kepa and three runs by Nathan Leaver for 12 yards, Kailua's senior quarterback connected with big-play weapon David Kaihenui for a 40-yard touchdown. A Mike Sakava kick made the score 7-0 Surfriders with 10:07 left in the first quarter.
Other than that, the half was predominately a showcase for both teams' defenses and the slippery field as both struggled to hold onto the football.
Kailua's only other threat ended in a Kepa fumble on the Kahuku 7-yard line. He was also intercepted once by Viliami Nauahi in the end zone on a Hail Mary pass as the first half expired.
Kahuku was unable to mount any offense as its first possession resulted in negative yardage. Kahuku's deepest penetration came on its fourth possession as the Red Raiders rode the legs of Paea Vaimoui, the arm of Waika Carvalho and the generosity of a 15-yard Kailua unsportsmanlike conduct penalty to the Kailua 14-yard line. On fourth-and-10 from the 14, Carvalho was sacked on the left sideline, turning the ball over to Kailua.
The second half was a different story.
"We had confidence coming into this game," said Kahuku coach Siuaki Livai. "As good as Kailua is, we knew we could win."
With both offenses struggling, Kahuku's defense put the first points of the second half on the board. With Kailua looking to repeat its earlier success, Kepa threw a pass on a comeback pattern to Kealii Kalahiki. The ball bounced off Kalahiki and Sam Spurrier intercepted, returning the ball 84 yards for a score. The 2-point conversion failed.
On Kahuku's next possession, the Surfriders continued to be their worst enemy as a 15-yard penalty nullified a Kahuku punt and allowed the Red Raiders to continue their march.
Eleven plays later, Kahuku scored the game's deciding touchdown on a 43-yard pass from Carvalho to Tali Tolotau. Kailua had one last chance with one second left in the game, but a Surfrider receiver was tackled at the 1-yard line on a Hail Mary pass completion.
Scores
YESTERDAY
OIA EAST RED
Kahuku 12, Kailua 7OIA WHITE
Nanakuli 20, Kaimuki 6
Kapolei 49, Kalani 0BIIF
Hawaii Prep 20, Keaau 0
Kealakehe 20, Hilo 14MIL
King Kekaulike 40, Lahainaluna 7
BACK TO TOP |
Standings
OIA EAST RED
W L T PF PA x-Kahuku 6 1 0 159 81 y-Kailua 6 1 0 260 66 y-Castle 4 3 0 114 99 y-McKinley 4 3 0 206 126 y-Farrington 3 4 0 149 158 Roosevelt 2 5 0 100 166 Kalaheo 0 7 0 6 239
OIA WEST RED
W L T PF PA x-Waianae 5 2 0 122 88 y-Campbell 5 2 0 205 156 y-Mililani 4 3 0 120 103 y-Leilehua 3 4 0 163 142 y-Waipahu 3 4 0 119 136 Radford 2 5 0 96 203 Aiea 2 5 0 105 150 x-Clinched division title
y-Clinched playoff spot
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