[ OIA RED EAST ]
Black Knights
get redemption
The game was billed as Castle vs. McKinley, but the marquee could easily have read redemption vs. rebuilding.
The Tigers struggled offensively and eventually gave way to the Black Knights 21-7 last night at Roosevelt to open the Oahu Interscholastic Association Red East season.
In a rematch of last year's regular-season finale that kept Castle from the playoffs, McKinley attempted to overcome the loss of several starters from the previous years' team and a smothering Black Knight defense.
After a mishandled pitch by Castle senior running back Tarann Bajet to junior slotback Blaine Kobashigawa on third-and-1 in the first quarter, McKinley recovered the ball at the Castle 16-yard line. However, three plays and 5 yards later Castle senior linebacker Keoni Gomes blocked a field-goal attempt as the first quarter ended with no score.
A 15-yard interception return for a touchdown by McKinley senior Moses Ngauamo with 28 seconds remaining in the second quarter gave McKinley a 7-0 lead going into halftime.
But then the Black Knights regrouped.
With 6:20 remaining in the third quarter, a McKinley botched lateral resulted in a fumble and the subsequent recovery by Castle senior defensive lineman Victor Clore on the McKinley 4-yard line set the Black Knights up for the game-tying score, when Bajet ran it in a play later.
A 7-yard TD toss from Castle senior quarterback Louis Mansanas Jr. to senior wide receiver Ethan Gonsalves with 1:19 left in the third quarter gave castle a 14-7 lead.
Castle's defense disrupted McKinley's offense by harassing and confusing McKinley junior quarterback Robin Pau, who was on the run all night. The Black Knights never allowed the Tigers to establish an offensive rhythm, and with a 15-yard fumble return for a score by Castle senior linebacker Blaze Soares, Castle put the finishing touches on a defensive masterpiece.
Kahuku 42, Kaimuki 6: Micah Strickland ran for three touchdowns and the Red Raiders responded to trailing the Bulldogs by running off 42 unanswered points -- 35 in the second quarter.
After Kaimuki's Robert Azevedo returned an interception 21 yards for a score, Strickland reeled off runs of 66 and 16 yards. He added a 62-yard scoring run later in the second quarter.
OIA White
Kalaheo 38, Kalani 8: Junior quarterback David Pershin scored two touchdowns to lead the Mustangs to their first victory of the season.Pershin completed 11 of 20 passes for 90 yards and also rushed for 68. Behind both of his touchdowns, Kalaheo led 20-0 at halftime.
Kalani quarterback Preston Pires completed 13 of 21 passes for 160 yards but was interecepted three times, including once by Courtney Elise for a touchdown.
BIIF
Hawaii Prep 41, Konawaena 0: Senior utility player Michael Kopra led Ka Makani to their first win of the regular season over the Wildcats, running the ball in for three touchdowns and connecting on five point-afters.Hawaii Prep capitalized on a recovered onside kick at the start of the game and scored when Billy Case's 22-yard pass found receiver Sparky Springmeier in the Konawaena end zone. Ka Makani recovered the ball on the next play and Kopra ran it in 69 yards.
Hilo 54, Kohala 0: Royden Nabarro and Jordan Gambol each ran for a pair of scores and the Vikings scored on seven offensive possessions against the Cowboys.
