Knights turn out the lights
on Bulldogs
The Castle Knights got the victory they were looking for. The only problem is, it may have come at too great a cost.
Jordan Nakayama threw two touchdown passes and Justin Kruse scored twice on the ground, but the Knights (3-0 Oahu Interscholastic Association Red East, 4-1 overall) suffered a couple of key injuries in defeating the Kaimuki Bulldogs (0-3, 0-5) 34-12 last night at Kaiser stadium.
"They're a big, physical team and it proved to be a very costly victory for us," Castle head coach Nelson Maeda said.
Done for the season is slotback Allen Losbog, who caught three passes for 43 yards before breaking his collarbone early in the second half. A few minutes later, defensive lineman James Palea injured his right hand, and lineman Travis Paaga also had to leave the game with an injury.
"With these injuries, the rest of the season is going to be a much bigger challenge," Maeda said.
The Knights didn't seem fazed by the Bulldogs' physical play early on, as Kruse scored from 2 and 4 yards out in the first quarter to give the Bulldogs a 14-0 lead after one quarter. Blaine Kobashigawa then took an option pitch 47 yards for a score 2 minutes into the second quarter to increase the Knights lead to three touchdowns.
After the Bulldogs recovered a fumble in the end zone to cut the Knights' lead by six, Castle opened up the passing offense with Nakayama hitting Lihikai Domingo with a 1-yard touchdown pass. Later, Nakayama found Kobashigawa over the middle with a 42-yard strike to extend the Knights' lead to 34-6 in the third quarter.
Even with the two scoring passes, Nakayama wasn't satisfied with his play.
"I could have done better today," Nakayama said. "I was not very accurate and missed some easy throws."
Nakayama, who twice had to come out of the game after being on the receiving end of some big hits, had an ice pack on his chin after the game, but refused to admit he was hurting.
"I'm fine," Nakayama said nonchalantly. "They're a physical team and stuff, but I'm fine."
Meanwhile, his coach was concerned about their offensive passing attack.
"Our passing game wasn't quite in sync and where we wanted it today," Maeda said. "But out defense did a tremendous job of setting up our offense in good position."
The Knights defense held the Bulldogs to less than 75 yards for the game, but that didn't keep the Bulldogs from scoring one last time as quarterback Fiaui Vaisagote hit Albien Montero with a 9-yard touchdown pass with 20 seconds left for the game's final score.
"Our defense led us to victory tonight, but we're in for a dogfight next week," Maeda said.
The Knights will look to stay undefeated in conference play as they take on Farrington this Friday.
