Many firsts occurred last night for Kalani. The Falcons scored their first points, captured their first lead and had their first legitimate chance at a win. Waialua wins
war of winlessBy Marc Dixon
mdixon@starbulletin.comUnfortunately for the Falcons, a victory was not among the firsts for Kalani, as Waialua rallied for a 42-35 victory, the first of the year for the Bulldogs.
"Like Randy Johnson said, 'The gorilla is off our backs,' " said a Gatorade-drenched Waialua coach Donald Capello. "This is great. The kids work hard and they deserve it."
The two winless teams had shared time in the OIA White cellar all season, and for three-plus quarters it looked like neither team would be able to escape. A tie seemed a serious possibility.
The game featured seven lead changes and the outcome remained uncertain until Waialua's final defensive stand. After Kalani advanced the ball 24 yards on its first two plays of a last-minute desperation drive, Kepa Ho'okano outjumped Keaka Lee for a game-saving interception on the 15.
"As soon as the ball went up I knew I had a chance and I was trying my hardest," Ho'okano said. "This one was for the seniors."
Waialua took the lead 42-35 on a 51-yard pass from Po'okela Gasper to Grant Yamanouchi. The two then hooked up for the two-point conversion for the Bulldogs.
"This is a better team than the record shows," Capello said. "But we knew it was going to be tough. Kalani was ready."
No Falcon was more ready than senior Travis Canonizado. As a crowd of around 300 looked on, the 200-pounder ran over, around and through the Waialua defense.
It was Canonizado's fourth-quarter, 60-yard touchdown run with the entire Bulldog squad on his back that gave the Falcons a glimmer of hope and their last lead at 35-34.
Canonizado had 75 yards by halftime and finished with 232 yards on the ground.
OIA Red
McKinley 18, Kaimuki 14: The Tigers scored the final 12 points of the game, including the winning score with 10:53 left in the fourth quarter to come away with a homecoming RedConference win.Kimo Terry gained 72 of his 76 yards on one play in the third quarter and Lama Lauvao scampered in from 8 yards out for the winning score.
Terry compiled 126 yards of total offense (76 rushing, 50 receiving) and two touchdowns.
The Bulldogs led 8-6 at halftime and padded their lead in the third quarter when Wallace Simanu threw a 37-yard touchdown pass to David Belin.
MIL
Baldwin 26, Lahainaluna 7: The Bears capitalized on six Luna turnovers to improve to 2-0 in the second round of the Maui Interscholastic League.Noble Richardson chased a Lahainaluna fumble into the end zone and fell on it for Baldwin's first score.
Abner Nakihei took the ensuing kickoff 70 yards, setting up his own 17-yard TD reception from Kainoa Casco to keep Lahainaluna in the game.
Baldwin, running a new offense that featured the shotgun and four and five wideouts, struggled in the first half. But quarterback Michael Donohoe found Akamu Aki for an 85-yard reception that set up a Wela Hewahewa 3-yard scoring run to end the second quarter and put the Bears up by six.
Results
Yesterday
OIA redFarrington 33, Leilehua 20
McKinley 18, Kaimuki 14OIA white
Waialua 42, Kalani 35
ILH
St. Louis 35, Pac-Five 3
Kamehameha 24, Punahou 6BIIF
Hawaii Prep 27, Honokaa 8
Kohala 26, Keaau 6MIL
Baldwin 26, Lahainaluna 7
Friday
OIA redCastle 36, Kailua 29
Kahuku 54, Campbell 14
Waianae 27, Mililani 7OIA white
Aiea 34, Kaiser 21
Kalaheo 21, Nanakuli 20
Roosevelt 43, Moanalua 7
Pearl City 47, Waipahu 7ILH
Iolani 47, Damien 0
BIIF
Waiakea 15, Hilo 14
Konawaena 14, Kealakehe 7KIF
Waimea 42, Kapaa 0
MIL
King Kekaulike 17, St. Anthony 6
Hawaii School Web Sites