No. 1 Kahuku turns
tight game into blowout
of Castle

The battle for east-side supremacy was a sure contrast in styles.

The power running game of Kahuku against the high-flying, quick-strike passing attack of Castle. The top-ranked Red Raiders boast a roster twice the size of the sixth-ranked Black Knights, who took the field last night with a 50-man roster that featured 45 two-way players.

But might would win out in the end, as Kahuku tallied 428 yards of total offense, including 252 yards on the ground, to win the match of unbeatens 45-10 at Kailua High School.

The Red Raider machine was led by running backs Malosi Teo and Kamuela Alisa, who combined for 180 yards and three touchdowns.

Opportunistic Castle made the first big play of the game when Victor Clore jumped on a Kahuku fumble to give the Black Knights the ball at the Kahuku 10-yard line just a minute into the action. Red Raider quarterback Bronson Ponciano-Ahue ran right on an option on the second play from scrimmage and unleashed a wild pitch, allowing Castle the chance at the loose ball.

Three plays resulting in loss of yardage and consecutive illegal procedure calls against Castle gave the Knights a fourth-and-30, setting the stage for senior Ethan Gonsalves' booming field goal from 47 yards out.

After stalling on their next two possessions, the Red Raiders finally got their attack on track on their fourth try of the evening, driving 95 yards to a touchdown to take the 6-3 lead after failing to run the ball in on the conversion attempt. The Red Raiders picked up 84 yards on the ground, with Teo getting 59 of them, including the 15-yard scamper into the end zone.

Kahuku receiver Spencer Hafoka set the Red Raiders up for another score with just over 2 minutes remaining before halftime, reaching back for a spectacular one-handed, 18-yard grab over the middle from Jacob Kahawaii to give his squad a first-and-goal at the 10. Alisa then gave Kahuku a 12-3 lead on a 1-yard dash into the end zone.

Castle's Blaine Kobashigawa returned the ensuing kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown to pull the Black Knights within two points, at 12-10.

But Kahuku speedster Mau-He Moala made sure Castle's celebration was short-lived, racing for a 90-yard touchdown of his own on the very next kickoff, giving the Raiders the 20-10 lead at the break.

Kahuku iced it in the second half with a 34-yard touchdown pass from Kahawaii, a 12-yard sprint by Alisa and two rushing TDs by Micah Strickland.