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Knights post rally
to beat Governors
A red-hot backup quarterback and the return of one of the state's most dynamic receiving duos carried the Castle Knights to a 34-14 victory over the Farrington Governors in last night's Oahu Interscholastic Association football game at Castle field.
Castle sophomore Bryce Kalauokaaea stepped in for a banged up Louis Mansanas and passed for 277 yards and four touchdowns in the second half as the Knights wiped out a 14-0 Farrington lead. Seniors Ikaika Ho and Jarred Suzui combined to score all five of Castle's second-half touchdowns.
The outcome left both teams at 1-1 in the OIA Red East Conference.
"We were in dire straits at 0-1 and like I told the team there's a big difference between 1-1 and 0-2," Castle coach Nelson Maeda said. "Fortunately we came out in the second half, generated some consistency and got some big plays from Ikaika Ho and Jarred Suzui."
Ho and Suzui were among the 19 Castle players who sat out the Knights' 28-14 loss to Mililani, serving a one-game suspension for a fight in last year's state championship game. Their return sparked Castle to its second-half explosion.
"It's indescribable what they felt, so helpless on the sidelines. They couldn't wait to step on the field," Maeda said. "But I think they were a little bit rusty and it took them a little bit of time to get into their rhythm."
Ho and Suzui combined for six catches for 226 yards and three receiving touchdowns after halftime. Suzui also rushed for a score in the fourth quarter.
"Those two we could only hold for so long and they broke loose," Farrington coach Randall Okimoto. "I give them all the credit. They fought, they were down and they came back."
Kalauokaaea shook off the butterflies and two early interceptions to complete 12 of 16 passes, including his last nine consecutive throws.
"I felt comfortable after I threw the first couple of passes," he said. "I started out rough because I was kinda nervous.
"I have to give it to the (defense). They gave us all the opportunities."
The Castle defense limited Farrington running back Matt Bell to 27 yards on 14 carries. Bell did finish with 111 receiving yards, 66 coming on a touchdown reception early in the third quarter.
Farrington's defense set up the lone score of the first half. Taeao Fagalele intercepted a pass from Mansanas near midfield and raced down the sideline before being dragged down inside the Castle 5.
Two pass interference penalties on third downs prolonged the Farrington possession and the Governors finally cashed in on a 3-yard pass from Eti Atonio to Jefferey Ah Ching-Noga.
Farrington put itself in position to extend its lead when Neemia Tuua blocked a punt by Castle's Antone Watanabe and returned it to the Castle 4. But Matt Kanahele got the ball back for the Knights by intercepting an Atonio throw at the goal line.
"We needed to score on that," Okimoto said. "That killed the momentum."
The Knights then drove into Farrington territory and reached the Governors' 17. But Farrington turned Castle away when Jerome Crisostomo intercepted a pass in the end zone with three seconds left in the half.
At Castle H.S. field
Far--Jeffery Ah Ching-Noga 3 pass from Eti Atonio (Ropeti Gafa kick)
Farrington (1-1, 1-2) 7 0 7 0 -- 14 Castle (1-1, 1-1) 0 0 21 13 -- 34
Far--Matt Bell 66 pass from Atonio (Gafa kick)
Cas--Ikaika Ho 66 pass from Bryce Kalauokaakea (Ethan Gonslaves kick)
Cas--Jarred Suzui 53 pass from Kalauokaakea (Gonsalves kick)
Cas--Ho 18 pass from Kalauokaakea (Gonsalves kick)
Cas--Suzui 11 pass from Kalauokaakea (kick failed)
Cas--Suzui 24 run (Gonsalves kick).
Rushing--Farrington: Bell 14-27, Ameko Vaimasanuu 6-(-2), Atonio 2-3, Alvin Faumui 1- (-2), Jostin Waialae 1-3. Castle: Justin Kruse 4-48, Louis Mansanas 4-(-11), Kalauokaakea 1-12, Suzui 1-24, Tarann Bajet 5-6, Don Medina 1-1.
Passing--Farrington: Atonio 10-24-3-132. Castle: Mansanas 11-20-1-75, Kalauokaakea 12-16-2-277.
Receiving--Farrington: Noga 2-10, Bell 6-111, Faumui 1-2, Vaimasanuu 1-9. Castle: Ho 5-163, Jarred Suzui 5-91, Brandon Shimomura 1-3, Matt Kanahele 5-50, Robin Smith 2-9, Jordan Kahoekapu 1-7, Gonsalves 1-6, Joe Park 1-5, Kruse 1-4, Victor Clore 1-14.
