HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
Jelf helps Waianae remain undefeated
Waianae's power countered Iolani's precision just enough to send the fifth-ranked Seariders to a 22-19 interleague victory last night at Raymond Torii Field.
Powered by a stable of hard-driving backs and a beefy offensive line, Waianae (3-0) relied on a relentless ground game to hold off a speed-based Iolani attack.
Waianae running back BJ Jelf led the way with 130 yards on 10 carries and scored the decisive touchdown on a 7-yard run with 4:32 left in the third quarter, and quarterback Ben McQuown picked up several key first downs to help the Seariders protect their lead.
Iolani quarterback Kela Marciel completed 17 of 22 passes, including all eight of his second-half attempts, for 168 yards -- 120 going to Lionel Fujioka -- and two touchdowns. The Raiders were also able to move the ball on the ground, with Justin Yamamoto picking up 96 yards mostly on quick-hitting plays.
But with Iolani 7 yards away from a go-ahead score late in the contest, a sack by Waianae linebacker Nalu Hauhio on fourth down preserved the win for the Seariders.
"They're just so well disciplined and they execute so well," said a relieved Waianae coach Daniel Matsumoto after Iolani had two apparent fourth-quarter touchdowns negated by penalties.
"They moved the ball at will, it was scary. ... We knew we had to control the ball. So we tried to, as much as possible, keep their offense off the field."
While Waianae was able to remain perfect, Iolani (1-2) dropped its second straight interleague game. But following a disappointing loss at home to Kalaheo, Iolani coach Wendell Look left Oahu's west shore encouraged by his team's effort.
"I told them last week that these guys are at a crossroads of the season already," Look said. "It's too bad it's that early in the season, but they had to make a decision on which way they were going to take the season, and I thought they made the right choices and they turned it in the right direction."
Both teams moved the ball effectively in the first half, and Waianae took a 15-13 lead into the break.
Waianae, which ran the ball on its first 18 plays, responded with a methodical ground game, as Jonathan Abell and Justin Kauwalu splitting the carries on a 10-play, 67-yard march capped by Kauwalu's 2-yard run.
An interception by Waianae's Bronson Panui set up the Seariders for the go-ahead score as Jelf ripped off a 70-yard run and Danny Kekoanui blasted in from 2 yards out.
Iolani came back with a 12-play drive ending with a 4-yard pass from Marciel to Fujioka.
Iolani then stopped the Seariders to open the second half and reclaimed the lead when Marciel hit Kellen Inaba for a 5-yard score. But Waianae jumped ahead again as Jelf powered in from the 7 to give Waianae the lead for good.
Iolani threatened again in the fourth quarter only to have two touchdown passes from Marciel called back -- first by an illegal touching penalty, then on an illegal receiver downfield call two plays later.
"We got lucky on that," Matsumoto said. "There was a missed coverage, but we were real fortunate."
The Seariders will now have a week off due to Campbell's forfeit stemming from last week's incident with Aiea.
Damien 27, Radford 18
Kama Bailey ran for three touchdowns, including a 63-yarder in the first quarter, to lead the Monarchs over the Rams in an interleague game at Radford. Rams quarterback Epa Maika connected on two fourth-quarter scoring passes to Shawn Putman-Curry.
OIA WHITE
Roosevelt 43, Waialua 7
The Rough Riders were led by Ranson Tuitama, who had 18 carries for 101 yards and three touchdowns.
Kaimuki 14, Pearl City 6
The Bulldogs edged the Chargers, led by running back Justin Paredes, who rushed for 152 and one touchdown.