By

POSTED: Saturday, December 13, 2008

In a year dedicated to his father, Waianae's Jonathan Ligsay capped it off the best way he knew how.

The 5-foot-8, 225-pound running back scored the game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter as the West All-Stars defeated the East 21-14 last night in the Goodwill Senior Bowl at Aloha Stadium.

Ligsay, who moved from offensive line to running back for his senior season, rushed for over 100 yards and two touchdowns in a victory over Leilehua this season, handing Mules quarterback Andrew Manley his first loss at the varsity level.

After that game, he dedicated the season to his father, who died last year. His inspired play earned him a spot in last night's all-star game, and he made it count with a 5-yard touchdown run to give the West a lead it wouldn't relinquish.

“;I really love it,”; Ligsay said. “;I never really thought I was going to make (the team), but I did it man. I'm proud of myself.”;

The weather stayed relatively dry in the first half, and it worked to the East squad's advantage.

Quarterbacks Shon Fujii and Dayton Kealoha moved the ball in the air. Fujii hit 'Iolani's Keenan Hoohuli for a 22-yard touchdown for the game's first score and Kealoha put the East up 14-7 at halftime with a 45-yard scoring pass to Farrington teammate Drake Miller.

Things wouldn't get any better for the offenses as one of the many heavy rainstorms to hit the islands this week descended upon Aloha Stadium for the second half.

The rain made things tough for both teams, but the West took advantage. A bad snap on fourth down by the East set up a 62-yard scoring drive by the West, capped off by a 6-yard TD pass from Iosua Manuma to Kahi Perbera.

Tied at 14, Miller fumbled a punt on the East's own 5-yard line. Kamehameha's Anthony Tokunaga, who led the team with six tackles, made the recovery and Ligsay punched it in on the next play for the go-ahead score.

“;Just a basic punt coverage and trying to make something happen,”; Tokunaga said of the fumble recovery.

The game was almost called at halftime because of lightning in the distance. But it was decided it was safe enough to continue.

“;Whether it snows, rains, or hails, we're going to play football,”; West head coach Fred Salanoa said. “;Fortunately we got some points on the scoreboard when the rain started coming down hard.”;

Perbera led all rushers with 73 yards on eight carries. The East passed for 219 yards, but West quarterbacks Manuma and Lalo Respicio were equally effective. Manuma finished 7-for-10 for 92 yards and the touchdown and Respicio completed 8 of 11 throws for 63 yards and an 8-yard touchdown to Arthur Aiwohi.

 

West 21, East 14

At Aloha Stadium

                                                                                                                                           

West	0	7	7	7	—	21
East	7	7	0	0	—	14

East—Keenan Hoohuli 22 pass from Shon Fujii (Justin Watanabe kick)

West—Arthur Aiwohi 8 pass from Lalo Respicio (Mason Puckett kick)

East—Drake Miller 45 pass from Dayton Kealoha (Watanabe kick)

West—Kahi Perbera 6 pass from Iosua Manuma (Puckett kick)

West—Jonathan Ligsay 5 run (Puckett kick)

  RUSHING—West: Perbera 8-73, Shawn Putnam-Curry 4-44, Ligsay 4-23, Respicio 4-17, I. Manuma 4-9, Derrick Santiago 2-5, Mosiah Manuma 1-(-16). East: AJ Kubota 4-20, Alex Fowler 2-18, Justin Paderes 3-16, Austin Wakinekona 2-9, St. John Lessary III 5-8, Fujii 1-7, Ani Isumu 5-(-2), team 1-(-26).

PASSING—West: I. Manuma 7-10-0-92, Respicio 8-11-0-63. East: Fujii 5-8-1-94, Kealoha 3-10-1-77, Kubota 2-3-0-48.

RECEIVING—West: Aiwohi 3-37, Santiago 2-16, Maika Mataele 1-29, Brad Osborne 1-14, Puckett 1-12, Deshawn Robinson 1-12, Pii Miins 1-12, Ligsay 1-11, Perbera 1-6, Mark Silverstein 1-3, Skye Kaapuni 1-3, Kaneala Silva 1-0. East: Miller 2-91, Isumu 2-75, Hoohuli 1-22, Tyler Pinkney 1-16, Miller 1-11, AJ Atuaia 1-4, Tavita Woodard 1-2, Wakinekona 1-(-2).