Kalaheo takes control of White

To cool off the hot Radford Rams, the Kalaheo Mustangs turned to the old barometer of championship teams: defense.

They got plenty of that, particularly from cornerback Dwayne Mitchell, in a 13-10 win over Radford last night at John Velasco Stadium.

Kalaheo improved to 4-0 in Oahu Interscholastic Association White play (6-0 overall) and seized control of first place. Radford dropped to 3-1 in league play (3-2 overall).

Mitchell, who also caught a key touchdown pass late in the game, thwarted Radford's deep game often. The 5-foot-10, 175-pound senior had two interceptions and four deflections while covering Radford's top receivers, Shawn Putman-Curry and Brad Osborne.

"We played hard and we practiced hard," Mitchell said before Kalaheo coaches ordered him and offensive lineman Robert Bator to leave while in mid-interview.

The Mustangs suited up just 30 players or so, but quarterback Phil Tauai's mastery of the veer attack allowed them to grind out the clock in key situations. Kalaheo's offensive line -- Shawn Reed, Hakau Pikula, center Bator, Brandon Lacour and Dorian Tanginoa -- gave Kalaheo control of the tempo and 140 rushing yards on 41 carries.

Radford never got much momentum going against a tough Mustangs defense. When quarterback Doug Brown reinjured his left knee with 2 minutes left in the first quarter, a normally potent Rams offense chugged along.

Brown returned to the game in the second half, but his trademark scrambling style was gone. Down 13-3, the Rams got a fumble recovery by Matthew Kitiona at the Kalaheo 36-yard line with 3:42 to play. They drove 64 yards in just two snaps: Brown connected with Osborne for a 23-yard gain, then went back to the 6-2 senior for a 13-yard touchdown on a fade route. Radford was within 13-10 with 3:21 left.

After a 42-yard punt by Kalaheo's Elijah Mataiele and an 8-yard return by Sean Ouchie, Radford had the ball at its 11-yard line with 1:48 to go. Three plays later, Brown's pass up the right sideline was picked off by Mitchell.

Kalaheo ran out the final 1:26, though there was a hairy moment. The Mustangs went to the shotgun, and Tauai was hit hard by Monty Wright in the backfield and fumbled with 30 seconds left. Fortunately, for Kalaheo, Bator recovered at the 38-yard line and time eventually ran out.

Brown had eight touchdown passes coming into the game, but finished with 105 passing yards on 11-for-21 accuracy.

"My knee's hurting, but I'll be back. I felt limited. I had to stay in the pocket," he said. "Kalaheo's a tough team, but penalties hurt us."

Radford drove deep into Kalaheo territory in the game's opening series, but the Mustangs defense corralled Putman-Curry on an end-around to the left and stopped him at the 1-yard line on fourth and goal.

After Brown suffered a leg injury with 2 minutes left in the first quarter, Kalaheo got its share of opportunities.

The Mustangs recovered a fumble by Brown's backup, Brad Osborne, at the Radford 18-yard line. They had first down at the 5, but running back Eddie Tauai lost control of the ball and Radford linebacker Tyler Griffin recovered at the 3-yard line.

A Radford three and out set up a 17-yard punt return by Mitchell to the Rams' 17-yard line. However, the Mustangs again came up empty. After driving to the 7-yard line, a holding call pushed Kalaheo back to the 19, and Phil Tauai fumbled. Radford defensive lineman Kamu Taulelei recovered at the 22-yard line.

Moments later, a zany play gave Radford another scoring opportunity. Defensive end Marcus Malepeai stole the handoff away from Phil Tauai and rambled 29 yards to the Kalaheo 25-yard line, where the Mustangs stripped the ball from his grasp. In the ensuing melee, Radford's Kerry Patton recovered the loose football at the Kalaheo 9-yard line.

After near interceptions in the end zone by Mitchell and Ryan Gauvin, the Rams settled for a 26-yard field goal by Tevita Baravilala and had a 3-0 lead with 5:48 to play in the second quarter.

The Mustangs regrouped at intermission and drove 80 yards in six plays to open the second half. Tauai found Zachary Lovelace for a 28-yard pass play to set up Phil Tauai's 10-yard keeper around the right side for a touchdown. The visitors led 7-3 with 9:01 to go in the third quarter.

After a quick three and out by Radford -- punctuated by another illegal procedure call -- the Rams had a special-teams mistake that gave Kalaheo a break. The punt snap caromed off an up back, and the Mustangs sandwiched punter Mosiah Manuma at the Radford 30-yard line.

Two plays later, Mitchell had one-on-one coverage and beat his defender on a streak for a 30-yard strike from Tauai for a touchdown. The PAT kick bounced off the right upright, but the Mustangs had a 13-3 lead with 6:54 left in the contest.

OIA RED EAST

Kahuku 30, McKinley 6

The Red Raiders blew open a close game with a 23-point second quarter. Kahuku's defense produced two safeties to complement 325 rushing yards.

OIA WHITE

Campbell 51, Anuenue 18

The Sabers scored five unanswered touchdowns to open up the game and quarterback Lalo Respicio, playing only the first half, completed nine consecutive passes for four touchdowns and 276 yards.

Isaac Torres dismantled the Rainbow Warriors offense with 12 tackles, five solo, as Campbell improved to 5-1.