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Warriors put the
clamps on Kailua
All Kamehameha needed to put away Kailua was two possessions, as they claimed their first win of the season, defeating the Surfriders 14-6.
In the first game of an interleague doubleheader at Aloha Stadium yesterday, the Warriors (1-0-1) turned to their defense from the second quarter on, stopping the Surfriders (1-1) from even reaching field-goal range.
The game matched the runners-up in their respective leagues last season -- Kamehameha in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu and Kailua in the Oahu Interscholastic Association.
The Kamehameha offense, led by running backs Jayson Rego and Sherwin Perez, started the game by attacking Kailua's secondary. Bouncing off Surfriders and spinning his way toward the end zone, Perez rushed for 23 yards in the Warriors' first drive, which ended with a 17-yard touchdown pass from junior Pono Kam to Rego.
Just as effective as the Warriors' offense in the first quarter was their defensive front. Kamehameha stifled all facets of the Kailua offense, primarily stopping the Surfrider air attack. Earning just one first down in the period by way of a penalty, the Surfriders quickly found themselves behind by two touchdowns by the end of the quarter.
Kam connected with seniors Rego and Waika Spencer for touchdown passes, finishing the game with 129 yards on six completions in 11 attempts.
"Defensively, offensively, we just weren't able to get anything going," Kailua head coach Gary Rosolowich said. "That's attributed to both Kamehameha's defense and just where we are physically right now."
From the beginning of the second half, the teams took turns gaining yards intermittently, only to have their drives stopped by the opposing team's defense.
"In the second half, we were out of rhythm, but our two kids at running back (Rego and Perez) did a good job of securing the ball," said Kamehameha head coach Kanani Souza, whose team fumbled the ball once in 33 rushing plays.
Rosolowich said injuries to his offensive line have hindered his team's ability to play up to its potential. He added that senior lineman Kainoa LaCount, who has not been medically cleared to play, will be a big help once he returns to the team.
Kailua quarterback Kelroy Kohatsu struggled yesterday without LaCount, often being rushed into inaccurate throws. Kohatsu completed just four of 15 passes for 46 yards.
