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POSTED: Saturday, November 01, 2008

For one more week, and beyond, they'll hail Kahuku.

The Red Raiders got a go-ahead field goal by St. John Lessary in the third quarter and held on to edge Waianae 12-7 last night in the Oahu Interscholastic Association Red semifinals at Aloha Stadium.

Lessary, who also rushed for 99 yards on 24 carries, was also key to the field-position battle. The senior had five punts, including a coffin-corner boot that pinned Waianae on its 15-yard line late in the contest. His 38-yard field goal was clutch.

“;I just thought of my team and how important it was to them,”; he said. “;I kept calm and let my leg go.”;

The field goal, with 15 yards to spare, split the uprights and gave Kahuku the lead with 6:42 left in the third quarter. Kahuku added a safety with 7 seconds to go when Tolovae Tito tackled Maurice Simpson on a flea-flicker play in the end zone.

Kahuku (9-1), ranked No. 4 in the Star-Bulletin Football Top 10, will meet Farrington for the OIA crown next week at Aloha Stadium. Ninth-ranked Waianae (5-5) will play Leilehua in the third-place game with the league's last state berth at stake.

Waianae's defense, with 11 tackles by Wade Keliikipi and nine by Chivas Paris, allowed only 154 total yards. Waianae managed to pick up 137 yards, including 95 on the ground (3 yards per attempt).

“;That was smashmouth football, a helluva game,”; said Keliikipi, who has a scholarship offer from Hawaii. “;It's upsetting to lose, but we gotta keep our heads up. We'll fight for third and hopefully make it to states. Hopefully, we'll do what we did to them in regular season.”;

Waianae upset Leilehua 27-21 on Sept. 26.

Tevita Vaifoou led Kahuku with nine tackles and Jray Galeai had two key pass deflections.

Turnovers were key last night.

“;Kahuku's defense played well and they had good ball control,”; Waianae coach Danny Matsumoto said. “;They took better care of the ball than we did.”;

The first half was a series of scrums and bullish ground tactics. Despite three fumble recoveries, including one at the Kahuku 30-yard line and another at the 29, Waianae scored just once.

The Seariders drove 65 yards in 15 plays, overcoming a couple of illegal procedure penalties. Keoni Napierala-Rose snuck in on fourth down from the 1-yard line and Waianae led 7-0 with 10 seconds left in the first quarter. The drive took 6 minutes and 30 seconds off the clock.

Waianae's D.J. Ahwong recovered a fumble by Kahuku quarterback Allan Kubota at the Red Raiders 29, but running back Danny Kekoanui fumbled three plays later. A.J. Atuaia forced the fumble and Ben Mamea recovered at the 21-yard line, and the Red Raiders got out of trouble.

That led to Kahuku's first scoring drive, a 17-play, 79-yard march. In keeping with the throwback rivalry between the old programs, Kahuku drove without the benefit of a single forward pass until Kubota rolled left on play-action and found tight end Jackson Kaka for a 3-yard touchdown pass with 20 seconds left in the second quarter to tie the game at 7.

Two botched plays on special teams hurt Waianae midway through the third quarter. In punt formation, the up back, Guyson Amina, tried to field the snap and tipped the ball. Charles Inferrera's punt was then blocked by Irwin Ah-Hoy and Kahuku recovered at the 48-yard line. Four plays later, Waianae punt returner Dillon Cadirao muffed the ball and Kahuku's Matthew Gomez recovered the ball at the Waianae 18.

Those Waianae miscues set up Lessary's field goal.

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At Aloha Stadium

                                                                                                                                           

Waianae (5-5)	7	0	0	0	—	7
Kahuku (9-1)	0	7	3	2	—	12

Wai—Keoni Napierala-Rose 1 run (Terrance Akao kick)
Kah—Jackson Kaka 3 pass from Allan Kubota (St. John Lessary III kick)
Kah—FG Lessary 38
Kah—Safety, Tolovae Tito tackled Maurice Simpson

  RUSHING—Waianae: Johnathan Ligsay 11-49, Danny Kekoanui 15-43, Guyson Amina 1-17, Napierala-Rose 3-(-1), Maurice Simpson 1-(-5), team 1-(-8). Kahuku: Lessary 24-99, A.J. Atuaia 4-34, Kubota 9-11, Derek Aiwohi 1-4, Alapeta Magalei 5-4, Viliami Pasi 1-3, Reupena Moors 1-(-4).

PASSING—Waianae: Napierala-Rose 6-19-0-42, Simpson 0-1-0-0. Kahuku: Kubota 1-6-0-3, Lessary 0-1-0-0.

RECEIVING—Waianae: Simpson 3-22, Jahsiah Bales 1-12, Kekoanui 1-6, Kekoanui 1-6. Kahuku: Kaka 1-3.

 

ILH

'Iolani 28, Word of Life 6
Kellen Imada rushed for three touchdowns as the Raiders beat the Firebrands at home. Jarrett Arakawa threw completions to 12 different receivers, helping 'Iolani post all of its points before halftime.

  At Iolani

                                                                                                                                           

Word of Life (0-7, 2-7)	0	0	0	6	—	6
Iolani (6-2, 8-3)	14	14	0	0	—	28

Iol—Kellen Imada 7 run (Andrew Skalman kick)
Iol—Imada 3 run (Skalman kick)
Iol—Kela Marciel 30 pass from Jarrett Arakawa (Skalman kick)
Iol—Imada 7 run (Skalman kick)
WoL—Gabe Miller 73 rush (kick failed)

  RUSHING—Iolani: Imada 15-83, Ammon Baldomero 15-20, Jaron Teramoto 4-5 Travis Sato 1-2, Kasai Naiwi 1-0. Word of Life: Miller 11-112, Alex Bodine 9-14, Kendall Ching 6-13, Richard Lanford 5-12, Paul Christian Morales 6-3, Ryan Alvarado 1-3.

PASSING—Iolani: Arakawa 17-23-1-219, Jordan DePonte 1-2-0-9. Word of Life: Ching 3-4-0-43, Alvarado 1-3-0-8.

RECEIVING—Iolani: Brandon Ball 4-38, Keenan Hoohuli 3-49, Anthony Genco 2-22, Marciel 1-30, Imada 1-20, Travis Murakoa 1-12, Baldomero 1-12, Sato 1-12, Trevyn Tulonghari 1-9, Kevin Barayuga 1-9, Lambert Leong 1-9, Sheldon Lee 1-6 . Word of Life: Miller 2-46, Alvarado 1-3, Morales 1-2 .

  Also

Kauai 24, Waimea 13

Baldwin 40, Maui 14

King Kekaulike 38, Trojans 7

Kamehameha-Hawaii 33, Ka'u 6