HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
Damien rides big runs past Word of Life
Damien was anything but consistent, but made the key plays it needed to hold off pesky Word of Life.
Josh Asuncion scored on a 96-yard touchdown run and Brenan Furtado put the game away with a 92-yard scamper with less than 2 minutes remaining to give the Monarchs a 20-7 victory over the Firebrands in an Interscholastic League of Honolulu football game last night at Kunuiakea Stadium.
Furtado, who entered the game leading the ILH in rushing yards and touchdowns, was held to 34 yards rushing before his 92-yard bolt kept Word of Life (2-4, 0-3) winless in league play.
"This game was about a bunch of big plays for us that came at the right times," said Damien coach Wally Aina, whose team improved to 5-1 overall and 2-1 in league play. "Nothing but respect for Word of Life. They are a bunch of warriors."
The Firebrands trailed 13-0 at halftime, but cut the deficit to six on a 2-yard touchdown run by Kalai Bustos in the third quarter.
Word of Life linebacker Brad Foster stopped Furtado on a fourth-down play to end Damien's next drive, and the Firebrands took the ball deep into Monarchs territory searching for the go-ahead score.
But for the second time in the game, the Monarchs' defense came up big, stopping Word of Life on fourth down inside the Damien 5-yard line to turn the Firebrands away empty.
"That's part of the growing pains we're going through," Word of Life coach Joe Onosai said. "We have to play all four quarters consistently instead of playing in spurts."
The first big defensive stop changed the entire complexion of the game in the second quarter.
After a 36-yard touchdown run by Stanton Pilialoha put Damien up 7-0, the Firebrands responded with a 16-play drive that lasted more than 7 minutes.
Word of Life did what it does best, picking up 4 or 5 yards every play as it methodically moved the ball down the field using a variety of ballcarriers.
Ryan Alvarado converted on fourth down with a run inside the Damien 10 and the Firebrands were on the doorstep to punch one into the end zone, but couldn't finish the job.
Facing its second consecutive fourth down, Branson Silva was stopped inside the 1-yard line by a host of Damien defenders to thwart the Firebrands' 65-yard drive.
The Monarchs made them pay on the second play following the stop as Asuncion took a backward toss from Pilialoha and broke three tackles before racing down the field 96 yards for a back-breaking touchdown that put the Firebrands on their heels.
"We made the big stops when they counted," Aina said. "I'm just glad to get out of here with a win."
At Kunuiakea Stadium
Damien (5-1, 2-1) |
7 |
6 |
0 |
7 |
-- |
20
|
Word of Life (2-3, 0-3) |
0 |
0 |
7 |
0 |
-- |
7 |
Dam--Stanton Pilialoha 36 run (Makana Kaanoi kick)
Dam--Josh Asuncion 96 run (kick failed)
WOL--Kalai Bustos 2 run (Jana Tanouye kick)
Dam--Brenan Furtado 92 run (Kaanoi kick)
RUSHING--Damien: Furtado 16-126, Asuncion 1-96, Pilialoha 5-40, Kawika Anders 1-7, team 3-(-15). Word of Life: Max Mower 18-67, Ryan Alvarado 9-37, Gabe Miller 8-37, Jacob DeKneef 8-29, Bustos 10-23, Branson Silva 3-6, Warren Malaki 1-2.
PASSING--Damien: Pilialoha 8-14-0-47, Anthony Tuitele 0-1-0-0. Word of Life: DeKneef 0-4-1-(-2).
RECEIVING--Damien: Kaanoi 3-18, Furtado 2-14, Anders 1-6, Asuncion 1-5, Ikaika Mokiao 1-4. Word of Life: Justin Poe 1-(-2).
ILH
Division I |
League |
|
|
|
|
Overall
|
Team |
W |
L |
T |
PF |
PA |
W |
L |
T |
PF |
PA
|
Saint Louis |
2 |
0 |
0 |
68 |
39 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
140 |
69 |
|
Punahou |
0 |
1 |
0 |
19 |
40 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
139 |
94 |
|
Kamehameha |
0 |
1 |
0 |
20 |
28 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
108 |
75 |
Division II |
|
|
League |
|
|
|
|
Overall
|
Team |
W |
L |
T |
PF |
PA |
W |
L |
T |
PF |
PA
|
Iolani |
3 |
0 |
0 |
113 |
38 |
5 |
1 |
0 |
174 |
79
|
Damien |
2 |
1 |
0 |
86 |
67 |
5 |
1 |
0 |
148 |
120 |
|
Pac-Five |
1 |
2 |
0 |
98 |
121 |
2 |
4 |
0 |
175 |
201
|
Word of Life |
0 |
3 |
0 |
35 |
103 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
86 |
146 |