Kahuku's B.J. Beatty tackled Kamehameha QB Kahaku Kaai to force a fumble that Kahuku's Micah Wily recovered and ran in 15 yards for a touchdown.
Champs go down
Defense leads the way as
Kahuku defeats the Warriors
at Aloha Stadium
While their offense settles in, the Kahuku Red Raiders are getting defensive.
Micah Wily returned a fumble 15 yards for a touchdown and Kevin Unga's sack for a safety propelled Kahuku over Kamehameha 16-0 last night at Aloha Stadium.
"It's a relief to come back with a win after that loss to Leilehua," Kahuku defensive end B.J. Beatty said, recalling last year's season-ending loss in the state-tourney semifinals. "Going into this game, we knew we'd have to make big plays on defense."
Kamuela Alisa led Kahuku's relentless ground attack with 17 carries for 100 yards. In all, Kahuku's I formation amassed only 189 yards in total offense against Kamehameha's physical defensive unit. Kapono Rawlins-Crivello hustled for three sacks and fellow linebacker Gerritt Vincent collected 17 tackles for the Warriors.
Kamehameha, however, tallied just 41 total yards. It was a rough return to the gridiron for Kamehameha, the defending state champion. Kahuku sacked Kamehameha quarterbacks four times in all, twice on three-step drops.
"Every year's the same thing. No matter how many returnees we might have on offense, our defense sets the tone," Kahuku coach Siuaki Livai said. "It's our first look this year. We didn't have any controlled scrimmages. Everybody canceled on us."
Kahuku's Lehi Aumua went airborne after a hit by Kamehameha's Gerritt Vincent in the first half last night at Aloha Stadium.
"The whole week we've been working on picking up fumbles, not just falling on them," Wily said. "It's all about pursuit to the ball."
Midway through the second quarter, Unga blitzed as Kamehameha faced third and 17 from its own 2-yard line. The senior linebacker decleated Kaai in the end zone for a safety, giving Kahuku an 8-0 lead with 4:36 left in the second quarter.
Kahuku's defense dominated the first half, taking advantage of inexperience on Kamehameha's side of the ball. The Red Raiders got three sacks before intermission and limited the Warriors to 10 total yards of offense. Kamehameha did not convert a first down until the final play of the half.
Kahuku's offense, with alternating quarterbacks Jacob Kahawaii and Kaulin Krebbs, didn't fare a whole lot better, with 109 total yards in the first half. By game's end, however, the offense had committed only two turnovers..
"Kaulin did a terrific job. He doesn't look real pretty out there, but he's consistent," Livai said.
Kamehameha punter Drew Uyeno's booming punts, including a 51-yarder, kept Kahuku in mediocre field position through most of the half.
An 11-yard punt by Uyeno, however, set up Kahuku at Kamehameha's 44-yard line early in the third quarter. Krebbs led the Red Raiders on a seven-play scoring drive. Krebbs rolled out on fourth and 6 to find tight end Devin Unga open for a 24-yard touchdown.
Beatty finished with two sacks, while Unga and Chico Ramirez had one apiece.
The Red Raiders don't have reason to rest on their laurels.
"The penalties and execution could be a lot better," Livai noted.
Kahuku committed 10 penalties for 52 yards.
Kahuku 16, Kamehameha 0
At Aloha Stadium
Kahuku (1-0) 6 2 8 0 -- 16 Kamehameha (0-1) 0 0 0 0 -- 0 Kah--Micah Wily 15 fumble return (kick failed).
Kah--Safety, Kevin Unga sacked Kahaku Kaai in end zone.
Kah--Devin Unga 24 pass from Kaulin Krebbs (Shiloh Te'o run).RUSHING--Kahuku: Jacob Kahawaii 4-(-3), Kamuela Alisa 17-100, Simi Alo 5-14, Blane Beatty 1-3, Lehi Aumua 5-16, Kaulin Krebbs 4-(-4), Ryan Kelly 1-1. Kamehameha: Bryson Vivas 13-30, Jeremiah Dela Pena 7-3, Kahaku Kaai 4-(-18), Ryan Montez 4-0, Michael Hoke 2-(-5) .
PASSING--Kahuku: Kahawaii 0-6-1-0, Krebbs 3-4-0-62. Kamehameha: Kaai 1-9-0-16, Hoke 2-5-0-15.
RECEIVING--Kahuku: Devin Unga 3-62. Kamehameha: Aaron Nichols 2-15, Matthew Kaaihue 1-16.
Junior varsity--Kamehameha 24, Kahuku 0
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