Kaimuki snaps skid

Despite suiting up only 23 players, the Kaimuki Bulldogs snapped a 16-game losing streak in Oahu Interscholastic Association Red East play with a 21-0 victory over Roosevelt last night at the Rough Riders' stadium.

Sophomore quarterback Stephen Harris overcame two early interceptions to help secure the prep football win.

"I'm just really happy for them," Bulldogs coach Daniel Mafua said. "It's been two years without a win until tonight. We're still finding joy in playing the game."

Harris rushed for 40 yards on a number of scrambles to keep the chains moving. He completed only four of 11 passes for 79 yards, but Kaimuki had plenty of ballcarriers to soften Roosevelt's defensive front.

Chase Nonod paced Bulldog runners with 52 yards on eight attempts.

Kaimuki got all the points it needed by halftime. The Bulldogs surged to a 15-0 lead and could have scored more if not for two drives that ended inside the Roosevelt 10-yard line.

After Braxton Higa missed a 39-yard field-goal attempt for the Rough Riders, Kaimuki drove to the Roosevelt 8. Harris threw a wobbly pass over the middle that was intercepted by Robbie Fukuhara at the 1.

Kaimuki's next possession ended better for Mafua. The Bulldogs drove 48 yards on four plays, culminating with Harris' 28-yard completion to Tusi Taufa for a touchdown. Taufa appeared to step out of bounds when cornerback Kory Wong-Kaeo made contact while the ball was airborne, but Taufa made the catch at the 5 and raced in for the score. Kaimuki led 7-0 with 1 second to play in the first quarter.

After a Roosevelt punt, Kaimuki marched 54 yards on five plays, doing all the damage up the middle. Taufa was alert after teammate Chase Nanod fumbled the ball into the end zone. Taufa fell on it to give the Bulldogs a 13-0 advantage.

The Bulldogs added two points on the PAT when a bad snap forced place-kicker Perry Faleao to scramble. He found teammate Robert Azevedo-Ford alone in the end zone to give Kaimuki a 15-0 lead with 6:54 left in the second quarter.

Kaimuki had another scoring opportunity late in the half, but the drive stalled after reaching the Roosevelt 7-yard line. Harris' pass attempt to Akoni Sexton on a corner route was long on fourth and 4.

The Bulldogs amassed 141 yards rushing and another 72 passing by intermission. Roosevelt, which managed only two first downs in the opening half, finished with 55 total yards.

The game was littered with yellow flags. There were 11 against Kaimuki, but the Bulldogs were able to overcome the mental mistakes. Mafua credited the kids for the turnaround.

"The growth of these kids, trusting what we teach them, and believing it," Mafua said.