Saturday, December 8, 2001
[ PREP FOOTBALL ]
|
The East pride reigned at Aloha Stadium last night as the team picked up a 27-19 win in the 11th annual Hawaii Union Builders Goodwill Football Classic at Aloha Stadium. East beats West in
all-star gameBy Jason Kaneshiro
jkaneshiro@starbulletin.comThe East avenged its loss to the West in last year's game in an entertaining and sometimes heated game.
"It's an outstanding game for the seniors," East coach Nelson Maeda said. "There was a lot of riff-raff out there, a lot of emotions involved. Seniors playing their last game, East pride, West pride, things got a little frayed at moments."
Castle's Nolan Miranda, who kicked two field goals, was named the East's offensive Most Valuable Player. The defensive honor went to Kaimuki's Soloni Taumalolo.
Kamehameha swept the West honors, as running back Kelena Hookano was the West's offensive MVP and defensive lineman Abu Maafala was the defensive MVP.
|
Hookano led the west with 46 yards rushing in six attempts and added 3 receptions for 9 yards.Castle quarterback Joel Botelho, playing on a sprained ankle and a sprained toe, passed for 95 yards and a touchdown for the East. Kahuku's Inoke Funaki, fresh off the Red Raiders' state championship win last week, passed for 104 yards and a score and rushed for 43 yards.
Kalani's Dane Souza recovered two fumbles and recorded a sack for the East defense.
"To put together a group effort in such a short amount of time ... is a great tribute to their ability and their toughness," Maeda said.
Iolani running back Teo Bennett opened the scoring for the East with a 13-yard run on the team's first play from scrimmage. The score was set up by a 69-yard fumble return by Castle's Bronson Melemai, which ended the West's first possession.
The West answered with a 19-yard touchdown toss from Aiea receiver Reuben Medeiros to Mililani's Kepa Morris on an option pass.
Botelho then connected with Moanalua's James Strombach on a 17-yard touchdown pass to give the East a 14-7 lead.
Maafala tied the game when he scooped up a loose ball and rumbled 59 yards for a touchdown.
Miranda gave the East a 20-14 halftime lead with 37- and 47-yard field goals in the second quarter.
The East extended its lead with a 21-yard touchdown pass from Kahuku's Inoke Funaki to St. Louis' Ross Dickerson, who made a juggling catch for the score.
The West mounted a last-ditch comeback, cutting its deficit to 27-19 on a 10-yard scoring strike from Punahou's Sean Fitzsimmons to Medeiros. But Kahuku's James Kammerer recovered the on-side kick for the East to end the threat.
The officials were kept busy throughout the second half as both teams were flagged for numerous personal fouls and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and had to be separated following a brief scuffle in the fourth quarter. Several players were disqualified during the game.
But there were smiles all around following the game.
"We knew it was going to happen," Botelho said. "But it's good fun and a great game."
At Aloha Stadium
East 7 13 7 0 -- 27 West 7 6 0 6 -- 19 East -- Teo Bennett 13 run (Nolan Miranda kick)
West -- Kepa Morris 19 pass from Reuben Medeiros (Trey Brown kick)
East -- James Strombach 17 pass from Joel Botelho (Miranda kick)
West -- Abu Maafala 59 fumble return (kick failed)
East -- FG Miranda 37
East -- FG Miranda 47
East -- Ross Dickerson 21 pass from Inoke Funaki (Miranda kick)
West -- Medeiros 10 pass from Sean Fitzsimmons (kick failed)
Hawaii School Web Sites