[ HIGH SCHOOL ]
Kalaheo continues
turnaround
For Kalaheo, the magic number is three -- as in three wins in a row.
The Mustangs, who were humbled by identical 41-0 scores in a preseason game and their regular-season opener, have done an about-face since and moved to 3-1 in Oahu Interscholastic Association White Conference play last night with a 65-7 rout of Kalani at Kaiser Stadium in Hawaii Kai.
"Our kids are hungry right now and we're exactly where we want to be," Kalaheo coach Tony Tuioti said. "We have three tough games ahead so we have lot to work on, but we're peaking at the right time."
Kalaheo quarterback David Pershin led the way last night, hitting on nine of 12 passes for 163 yards and three touchdowns in the first half alone as the Mustangs scored on all five of their first-half possessions en route to a 33-7 lead at intermission. Pershin finished the night 14 of 18 for 249 yards and five touchdowns.
With the win, the Mustangs carry plenty of momentum in their bye week in preparation for a much-anticipated matchup with conference favorite Kapolei, whom Kalaheo hosts Oct. 4.
"We've got a big game ahead of us in Kapolei, but we have two weeks to prepare for it and rest our kids and get them healthy," Tuioti said.
Kalaheo running back Jacobe Akiu added a pair of rushing touchdowns for Kalaheo in the first half, including a 58-yard romp on a draw play that saw him break outside to turn in the most athletic play of the evening. He finished the night with 239 yards on 11 carries and also scored on runs of 65 and 86 yards in the second half.
Ironically, while he carried the ball on the Mustangs' first play from scrimmage -- and was to contribute the three longest plays of the evening -- this was a night when Kalaheo clearly set up the run by way of its pass.
"The passing game opens up big holes," Tuioti said. "A lot of times people think this offense (the run-and-shoot) is not a running offense, but if you have a kid who can hit the hole like Jacobe, who is a special guy, and they're loading up the box ... we just sit back and enjoy watching him run with the football."
The Mustangs, who were 0-8 last year, struck early and often, beginning on their first series when Pershin hit Nate Witcher for a 32-yard gain that moved the ball into Kalani territory. Following a 13-yard scramble, Pershin threaded the needle to Shawn Forges on a seam route to open the scoring with a pass play that covered 19 yards. Ryan Kelly added the first of six point-after kicks, and the Mustangs were on their way.
The Mustangs limited Kalani to only 25 total yards in the first half and set the tone defensively on their first series when Nui Pili logged the first of his two sacks on a third-down play.
Pershin quickly went to work again on the Mustangs' second possession, connecting with Neil Bowers and Jared Neufeldt for gains of 27 and 26 yards to move the ball deep to the Kalani 14. Neufeldt took a swing pass on Kalaheo's next play to help increase the Mustang lead to 13-0. Kelly's attempt for the point-after was blocked by Kalani's James Miyashiro.
Only moments later, Akiu added his 58-yard score on the last play of the first quarter to put Kalaheo ahead 20-0.
