[ HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL ]
Radford fails to
solve Aiea’s defense
again
Points were hard to come by in both of Aiea's contests against Radford this season, and for the second time the Na Alii defense proved to be the difference in an Aiea victory.
Na Alii held Radford to 113 yards in total offense to power Aiea to a 21-7 victory in an Oahu Interscholastic Association White Conference semifinal game last night at Aiea's field.
"The defense has been playing excellent for us. They say defense wins championships and I think we have a championship defense," Aiea coach Wendell Say said. "They continue to do the job and keep us in the game and tonight was no different."
Aiea (7-2) advances to play Kapolei in the OIA White championship game set for Nov. 14 at Mililani High School. The win also gave Na Alii a berth in the inaugural Hawaii High School Athletic Association Division II state tournament.
Radford ends its season at 5-4.
Aiea shut out Radford 10-0 in the first meeting between the teams on Sept. 13 and turned in another strong performance last night. Na Alii came up with three turnovers in the second half, including two interceptions by James Hadley, and allowed the Rams to cross midfield just once after halftime.
Na Alii's defensive performance was nearly matched by the Radford defense, which frustrated the Aiea offense for much of the game.
Both teams scored on their opening possessions of the game, but were shut down for most of the next three quarters.
Aiea broke the 7-7 tie with 7:01 left in the game when quarterback Kali Kuia hit Alden DeMello on a fly pattern down the left side for a 79-yard touchdown pass.
"They were playing tough defense. They were giving us very little and I think we called the right play at the right time," Say said.
A fumble recovery by Rocky Savaiigaea later in the fourth quarter set up an insurance score for Aiea, a 2-yard run by Donny Mapusaga.
The Radford offense moved the ball early in the game, but struggled to run the ball against the aggressive Na Alii and couldn't sustain its drives in the second half.
"The defense played hard and they left it up to the offense to make plays and move the ball, and the little mistakes hindered us from getting in the end zone tonight," Radford coach Fred Salanoa said.
Radford broke on top by taking the game's opening kickoff and driving 65 yards in nine plays. Chris Viloritt capped the drive by scoring on a 1-yard run around the left side.
Aiea responded with a 10-play drive and Raymond Tauala tied the game with a 10-yard touchdown run.
The teams traded punts for much of the game and it looked like Aiea got the game-turning break when RJ Kiesel-Kauhane blocked a Stephen Baughn punt deep in Radford territory. Aveni Leung-Wai scooped up the ball for Aiea, but fumbled and the Rams recovered to retain possession.
But the Aiea defense forced another punt, which led to DeMello's go-ahead touchdown.
"We played Radford early in the season, They were tough then and they've gotten a lot better since then," Say said. "Freddy and his staff have done an excellent job preparing their kids. It's too bad just one team can move on in the playoffs."
At Aiea H.S. field
Rad -- Chris Viloritt 1 run (Eric Venglar kick)
Radford (5-4) 7 0 0 0 -- 7 Aiea (7-2) 7 0 0 14 -- 21
Aiea -- Raymond Tauala 10 run (Brandon Puckett kick)
Aiea -- Alden DeMello 79 pass from Kali Kuia (Puckett kick)
Aiea -- Donny Mapusaga 2 run (Puckett kick)
RUSHING -- Radford: James Armstrong 4-18, Aaron Perry 6-15, Viloritt 1-1 , Dennis Medina 2-(-8), Roderick Price 8-8, Stephen Baughn 6-(-3). Aiea: Tauala 13-18, Mapusaga 6-21, Kuia 3-(-10), Ben Ah Mook Sang 3-28.
PASSING -- Radford: Medina 5-14-1-35, Baughn 7-10-1-47. Aiea: Kuia 9-13-1-139.
RECEIVING -- Radford: Venglar 2-15, Raymond Burciaga 1-35, Armstrong 1-5, Viloritt 2-11, Sunny Belcher 5-20, Bruce Starks 1-(-4). Aiea: DeMello 4-93, Jabez Armodia 1-11, Ah Mook Sang 2-11, Jonathan Burgos 1-6, Tauala 1-18.
Junior varsity -- Mililani 16, Castle 13
