JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARBULLETIN.COM Kahuku's Devin Unga snagged a pass in front of McKinley's Joshua Ward during the first half of last night's game at Moanalua.

Red Raiders handle
Tigers by halftime

Kamuela Alisa ran for two touchdowns and 91 of his 110 yards before halftime as Kahuku overpowered McKinley 37-0 last night at Moanalua High School stadium.

Kahuku (2-0), ranked No. 1 in the Star-Bulletin Top 10, showed some rust after not playing for three weeks.

"We were off, too way off," Kahuku coach Siuaki Livai said, referring in part to his team's 10 penalties. "We were just hungry to play anybody."

Despite the errors, the Red Raiders were simply too deep and physical for the Tigers. Alisa, a 5-foot-11, 206-pound senior, scored on runs of 11 and 27 yards as his offensive line set the tone early and often.

Kaulin Krebs, who started the season as a backup, threw for two touchdowns in his first start this year.

"Well, I can't say any (position) is locked up, but he did a great job," Livai noted.

The Tigers (2-2) came into the game with some promise, having defeated Kailua and Pac-Five in recent games. However, quarterback Tilton Kaluna, a much-improved junior, suffered a serious injury early in the game, and McKinley's offense went stagnant.

"We came out in the second half and didn't lay down," coach William Moeava said. "We held our own. Now we have a one-week bye to heal up and get ready for Farrington."

Kahuku dominated from the start, scoring touchdowns on all five of its possessions in the first half. The Red Raider defense had its way, as well, particularly with Kaluna out of the game.

"After last year, we're taking every game serious," Livai said. "We still don't know what we've got. That's why we shift our starters around. Nothing's set."

McKinley's offense was held to negative yardage in the first half (minus 4) by Kahuku's relentless effort.

Kaluna was injured after throwing an interception on third and goal from the Kahuku 11-yard line. Linebacker Kevin Unga tipped a pass over the middle, and defensive back Suaesi Tuimaunei grabbed the ball out of the air. He returned the ball up the sideline, where Kaluna derailed him with a hard shot. Tuimaunei lost the ball momentarily, but recovered his fumble. Kaluna, however, stayed down for the next 30 minutes before being taken away on a stretcher and to the hospital.

"Tilton is a tough kid. He got down low, but the other guy got low, too, and they butted heads," Moeava said.

That turnover led to Kahuku's first score, a 12-yard touchdown pass from Krebs to Jason Evans.

Receiver Rocky Miyagi fumbled after a reception, with Tuimaunei delivering a big hit. Malone Fiso recovered for Kahuku, setting up a seven-play, 40-yard drive. Alisa scampered in from 11 yards out, and then scored on a 2-point PAT to give his team a 14-0 lead with 4:09 left in the first quarter.

The lead stretched to 16 when McKinley's punter inadvertently stepped back and out of the end zone for a safety with 1:38 to play in the opening quarter.

Alisa added a 27-yard run on the next drive, and Krebs found Evans open on a corner route to give Kahuku a 30-0 lead with 6:05 left in the first half.

Reserve running back Jason Mauai scored on a 2-yard run to give Kahuku a 37-0 lead with 2:56 left in the half. The drive was set up by Shiloh Te'o's interception and 27-yard return to the Moanalua 17.

Kahuku's only weakness was penalties, seven in all for 60 yards by intermission. That included a personal foul after an incomplete pass, but did not include a dangerous block to the back on the final play of the half.

On that play, Kahuku called time out with a 37-point lead and just 7 seconds to go to set up a punt return. McKinley declined the penalty to end the half rather than punt again.

With well over half of the 2,500 in attendance clad in Kahuku red, the Red Raiders sped up their offense as the second-half clock sped by on running time due to the 35-point mercy rule. Ten different players carried the ball for Kahuku.