Field goal puts Waialua over Kaimuki

The red Bulldogs left the green Bulldogs feeling blue last night.

A Kaimuki fumble in the final minute set up a 20-yard field goal by Kaikala Carvalho with 2 seconds remaining as Waialua edged Kaimuki 24-21 at Roosevelt High School field.

The comeback win strengthened playoff hopes for Waialua, which improved to 4-2 in Oahu Interscholastic Association White Conference play (5-2 overall). Coach Lincoln Barit pointed ahead to next week's homecoming game against Pearl City.

"We've got injuries and grades hurting us, but we can't make excuses," the longtime coach said.

Kaimuki, which led 21-14 with less than 5 minutes left, dropped to 3-2-1 in conference play (4-2-1 overall). Coach Daniel Mafua was almost at a loss for words after the defeat.

"All our mistakes cost us," he said, referring to four Kaimuki turnovers. "Each and every one of our guys has to come back. I believe they can do it."

A fumble on the handoff exchange between Kapono Kaiwi-Barrenuebo and running back Chase Nanod, caused by Waialua defensive lineman Joel Dicion, was recovered by Dillon Rowly at the Kaimuki 9-yard line with 50 seconds left.

Waialua worked the clock down before Kaimuki called a timeout with 7 seconds remaining. After an encroachment penalty against the defense, Carvalho drilled the winning field goal despite a high snap to holder Caleb Fore.

"I was small-kine nervous, but you gotta take it like practice," Carvalho said. "No pressure."

Mistakes plagued Kaimuki, setting up the final scenario. Even on the punt return before Kaimuki's final possession, an illegal-blocking call pushed the ball back to the 11-yard line. By the time the fumble occurred, Waialua was within Carvalho's distance.

"My range isn't that far," the junior lineman conceded.

Fore, a prolific passer, finished with just 110 yards through the air. Kaimuki sacked the durable senior eight times, but he never fumbled.

"This game is really important. We're one step closer to making the playoffs," said Fore, who hit 11 of 21 passes for three touchdowns and one interception.

"Kaimuki is a helluva team. Their defense took us out of our rhythm," Barit said.

Kaimuki limited Waialua to only 119 total yards, including 19 on the ground.

Kaimuki finished with 156 yards in total offense, including 60 rushing yards on 25 attempts.

It was Waialua, however, that scored first. A 27-yard punt return by Kekoa Pasion-Almeida gave Waialua the ball at the Kaimuki 14-yard line. Two plays later, Fore found Donovan Matas wide open for a 4-yard touchdown pass with 5 seconds to go in the opening quarter.

Kaimuki finally scored midway through the second quarter with help from its defense. A holding penalty and two sacks pushed Waialua back to its own 11-yard line, and Kaimuki began its ensuing drive at the Waialua 38-yard line.

James Bower's weaving 19-yard touchdown run capped the drive, but a low snap on the PAT caused a miss, and Kaimuki trailed 7-6 with 6:01 left in the second quarter.

A punt snap that sailed over the head of Carvalho led to a 28-yard sack by Nicolas Isamo. On the next play, Kaiwi-Barrenuebo snuck in from the 1-yard line for Kaimuki's second touchdown. The green Bulldogs led 13-7 with 3:22 remaining in the first half.

A fumble on an exchange between Kaiwi-Barrenuebo and Bower was recovered by Waialua at the Kaimuki 30-yard line. Four plays later, Fore found Joshua Whittaker open on a post route for a 23-yard touchdown pass. Waialua led 14-13 with 5:58 to go in the third quarter.

A 33-yard strike from Kaiwi-Barrenuebo set up Kaimuki's final touchdown. Kaimuki regained the lead with 4:58 left in the game on Keone Reyes' 5-yard touchdown run. Bower ran in the 2-point conversion to give Kaimuki a 21-14 lead.

Waialua answered right back. Scott Endow's 40-yard kickoff return sparked the series. Fore connected with Whittaker again on a post pattern for a 21-yard touchdown pass, and the game was tied at 21-all with 4 minutes remaining.

Two plays alter, Kaiwi-Barrenuebo's long pass was picked off by safety Adam Foster. After a Waialua punt, Kaimuki's offense had the ball one last time, setting up a heartbreaking fumble for the green 'Dogs.

Nanakuli 7, Waipahu 7

Gil Fernandez scored from a yard out for the Marauders to tie the Golden Hawks.

Chase McGill completed 7 passes for 89 yards and one touchdown for Nanakuli. McGill's score was from 7 yards out to Julius Seabrooks to put Nanakuli on the board in the first quarter.

OIA RED WEST
Mililani 21, Campbell 17

Rustin Funakoshi threw for 201 yards and three touchdowns as the Trojans defeated the Sabers.

Funakoshi connected with Tyran Onizuka in the last 30 seconds for the win.

Jordan Torres ran for 65 yards on 16 carries and one touchdown for Mililani.

MIL
No. 6 Baldwin 42, Maui 2

Chase Nakamura eclipsed the Maui Interscholastic League's single-season record for touchdown receptions with his 10th of the year to lead the Bears over the Sabers.

Nakamura set the record on a 40-yard strike from quarterback Jordan Helle 3 minutes into the second quarter. The old record was nine by Baldwin's Akamu Aki in an eight-game season in 2002.

Lahainaluna 35, Kamehameha-Maui 11

Running back Lake Casco ran for three touchdowns as the Lunas routed the Warriors.

The Lunas' Reggie Harris helped Lahainaluna get on the board first, scoring on an 80-yard run early in the first quarter.

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