— Photos
by Barry Markowitz
By Bob & Sylvia Olsen ~ Kaleo Sports Editors
Kahuku spoiled Castle’s homecoming game at Kailua on Oct. 2nd, besting the Knights 45-10.
|
— Photos
by Barry Markowitz |
Kahuku received the opening kickoff and after a short series of exchanging fumbles and recoveries, a Kahuku fumble left the Knights in position for a field goal. Yup, at 9:20 in the first quarter Castle scored first, 3-0.
Early on Kahuku’s QB Bronson Ponciano-Ähue was injured and left the game, not to return. Jacob Kahawai’i took control of the offense, but Kahuku struggled to get a drive established, exchanging punts with Castle, and the first quarter ended with Castle’s 3 still the only score on the board.
The Red Tide began to roll in the second quarter, and from that point on the Knights would not be able to stop Kahuku. A long pass to Viliami Tilini was good for a big gain. Simi Älö took a hand-off and dragging two defenders with him, bulled his way to the Castle 15-yard line. Being taunted by the two embarrassed defenders Hyrum Moors showed great composure walked away avoiding a penalty.
First-and-10 from the 15-yard line, Mälosi Te’o swept wide with too much speed for the Knights and went upright into the end zone. The snap on the PAT attempt was bobbled, so at 10:40 Kahuku went ahead to stay. 6-3.
Castle’s QB and receivers had a good passing attack. Throughout the game they kept Kahuku’s defensive secondary busy, but were unable to mount any sustained running game against the brute strength of the Red Raider line and line-backers. B.J. Beatty kept heavy pressure on their quarterback, and the Knights where forced to punt. The shanked kick, however, left the Red Raiders in good field position.
Kahawai’i threw a long cross-field pass, keeping the ball high above defenders. With well-earned double coverage shoulder to shoulder on him, Spencer Hafoka went high in the air with another of his spectacular grabs.Kamuela Alisa soon after wove his way near a first down, but pass incompletions forced the Red Raiders to punt.
With the Knights in possession Siaosi Lauhingoa dropped a ball carrier for a loss, then William Fairclough and Kaniela Tuipulotu sacked the QB, forcing a punt. Joshua Wily blocked the punt, leaving Kahuku again in good field position.
Te’o took off on a first-and-10, gaining 12 yards. Alisa then displayed his running power, moving the chains again. Hafoka, again in heavy traffic, went up and pulled in yet another spectacular catch, bringing the line of scrimmage to Castle’s 10-yard line of. Behind good “O” line blocks Alisa powered his way to the one yard line, and then untouched took the ball into the end zone on the next play, thanks to superior line and leading blocker play. Kahuku tried a two point PAT, which was incomplete. Raiders 12, Castle 3.
The ensuing kick-off brought excitement into the game as Castle’s kick receiver set what is most likely a team record against Kahuku, taking the ball near his goal and returning it all the way for six. The Knights’ PAT was good: they had closed the gap to 12-10.
In the spirit of returning favors, Mau-he Moala took the kickoff, ran through the thick of defenders and sprinted down the sideline with 110% effort, determined not be caught or denied the score for Kahuku. In 15 seconds the score had changed twice.
Kahuku’s two-point PAT attempt saw Hafoka with another unbelievable grab in the end zone. With only 1:43 left in first-half play Kahuku was up 20-10.
The Knights, now seeing “RED,” would not reach the end zone again.
Joshua Wily of Kahuku put the skids to the kickoff return, and Lau Kauvaka punished a Castle pass receiver for no gain, ending the half.
 |
At the start of the second half, with the Knights receiving, Paulo Purcell and Kurtney Silva stopped Castle on their own 25-yard line. The Knights followed up with a pass that gained them a first down, but then David Niumatalolo and B.J. Beatty put too much pressure on their QB to repeat the effort, nor did a Castle reverse fool Niumatalolo who ripped off the helmet of the runner causing a fumble nearly recovered by Kahuku. Kimball Niumatalolo and Micah Wily soon ended Castle hopes on that drive and Kahuku took over the ball.
Stuttering a little, Kahuku eventually punted a good long high kick that put Castle deep in their own territory. Kahuku’s D, sparked by Beatty and B.J. Adolpho, soon stopped any gains for the Knights, who again punted back to Kahuku.
Taking over nearly at midfield Micah Strickland charged ahead for 15 yard, then took the ball again, broke tackles and dragged three defenders near the goal line. A perfect strike in the end-zone gave Kahuku another six points. They missed the PAT. With 4:53 remaining in the third quarter the score was Kahuku 26, Castle 10.
With the third period waning, B.J. Adolpho, Kimball Niumatalolo and Kaleo Spalling put tackles on Castle’s would be runners, forcing three-and-out for the Knights.
Taking the punt, Al Afalava ran an elusive return, good for 30 yards, which put the Red Raiders in good position again. Simi Älö and Strickland added good gains, but an interception ended the drive.
Kahuku’s defense again held Castle to went three-and-out, and with David Niumatalolo breathing down his neck the Castle punter muffed the punt. The third quarter ended with Micah Strickland cranking out a 16-yard gain.
Beginning the final quarter, Stanley Kava delivered a great springing block near pay-dirt; and Kamuela Alisa, would not be denied a score, went helmet-to -elmet with two Castle DB’s and won the contest for another six points. Again the PAT failed. Score: Kahuku 32, Castle 10.
In Castle’s next series, Micah Wily, David Niumatalolo and B.J. Beatty held a meeting at their quarterback slot, throwing the Knights for a big loss. Kaniela Tuipulotu, Micah Wily and B.J. Adolpho then ended Castle’s drive, and the Red Raiders received the punt.
Kamuela Alisa ran for 8 yards, Spencer Hafoka added another 32, then Micah Strickland — in a sweep with power blockers out front — drove in for the score. The PAT pass for two fell incomplete and the score board now showed Kahuku 38, Castle 10.
As quickly as the Knights offense came up, it fell victim to David Niumatalolo’s pressure on the backfield. Simi Älö, with a good pass defense, prevented a Castle TD. David Niumatalolo and Tuipulotu then caused Castle QB throw-aways which appeared to be intentional grounding but had been un-called the entire night. Al Afalava threw a receiver back four yards behind scrimmage. Tuipulotu, David Niumatalolo and Malone Fiso, with the Castle QB in their collective grasp, caused another (grounded) throw-away to avoid a sack, and the ball over on downs.
Hafoka responded with 25 yards. Kamuela Alisa added 10 more, setting up a Micah Strickland power run that later proved to be the game’s final TD. The PAT was good. Score: Red Raiders 45, Knights 10.
Enter the Kahuku D-men who pretty much shut down Castle’s remaining efforts.
Go Red Raiders. Keep that Red Wave rolling.
In the JV game, Castle led Kahuku early in the fourth quarter, 27-20. Then Red Raider pride took over , and in a flurry of scoring, Kahuku took command and finished with a 40-27 victory.
Kahuku ruled the Governors of Farrington on Sept. 17th in Aloha Stadium. To this point in OIA Red Division play Kahuku had out-scored opponents 74 to 15. After shutting out Farrington they rolled up the tally to 115 to 15.
 |
Kahuku won the coin toss, electing to defend. Lau Kauvaka sent the ball deep, starting the contest. Red Raider "D" held the Governors on their own side of the field. A strong hit caused a Farrington fumble, which was recovered by Kahuku's David Niumatalolo.
The Raiders sputtered their first series with an illegal formation and an incomplete pass, which brought them to punt; however, the Governors were unable to gain a first down as the "Red Wall" caved in on them. Paulo Purcell prevented a pass completion and Kaleo Spallone finished the drive for Farrington, bringing up their punt.
On Kahuku's first play from scrimmage in this series, Bronson Ponciano-Ähue handed of to Malosi Te'o, who turned on the after-burners with a great downfield block by Stanley Kava, allowing Te'o to complete 71 yards on an electrifying run to make the games first score. The PAT was up and good, and the rout was on. 7-0.
Kauvaka again put the ball in the air, then rushed downfield to make the stop defensively. The Governors first play of the series was destroyed by Al Afalava who drove the "D" line and took the ball carrier down just short of scrimmage.
Third-and-more-than-10, Afalava and Paulo Purcell strung the sweep out for no gain. Farrington went three and out, with Spencer Hafoka pulling in the punt and adding a good return.
Then Te'o went to work again, with an 18-yard power run, and with the smell of the end zone fresh in his mind, he pulled away from the crowd to make his second score. The PAT by Redmond Tutor, with Ponciano holding, flew true and the board lit up, 14-0.
At the end of the 1st quarter Farrington punted to Kahuku. On the first play of the 2nd quarter Micah Strickland took the ball, knocked down one would-be tackler, and rumbled 76 yards for the TD. Kahuku going for two on the PAT, Ponciano kept and sprinted into the end zone — the "Red Roll" Raiders, 22, Governors, duck egg with 11:48 to go in the half.
Farrington receiving again went three-and-out, making that 4-and-0 on conversions. On Kahuku's first down, it was Strickland again with the ball, breaking several tackles and dragging others, for another first down. Ponciano then hit Hafoka at the 9-yard line. He lowered his head and drove the Gov defenders four more yards to the 5-yard line.
First-and-10, Ponciano on a play action pass hit Viliami Tilini in the end zone. The PAT missed, but the score was Kahuku 28, Farrington 0.
After Kahuku's kick-off, Farrington from scrimmage was dropped for an eight-yard loss by Kaniela Tuipulotu, which soon brought up another Gov punt.
Hafoka returned the ball to midfield, however after a short series, Kahuku had to make their first punt of the game. The punt return ran into a mass of red led by Spallone. The "Relentless Red Defense" chased the QB back until, on 3rd-and-23, B.J. Beatty batted down Farrington's seventh pass attempt, forcing a punt.
On Kahuku's next series, Ponciano was pressured into a throw away, then a bobbled snap brought up 3rd-and-10. On the next play while acing for the end zone, Hafoka — surrounded by defenders — made one the most spectacular catches ever:
Ponciano-Ahu launched the ball slightly over his reach. Hafoka leaped high into the air, turned his body 180 degrees, and one handed the ball, bringing it into his chest. He landed on his back, setting up short-and-goal. On the next play, Hyrum Moors took the handoff and behind great offensive blocking, went into pay-dirt.
On the PAT Kahuku elected to take a knee, avoiding the 35-point-ahead mercy rule, to allow more playing experience for the team. Score: Red Raiders 34, Governors 0.
Niumatalolo finished off Farrington's next series by forcing a punt, received by Stanley Kava and bringing up Jacob Kahawai'i as QB. Moors and Jason Tufuga ground out yardage, but Kahuku lost the ball on a fumble.
Trying to score before half-time, Farrington put the ball in the air, but a Red Raider "D" lineman tipped the ball. Purcell intercepted it, running it back for 20 yards. Time ran out in the half with Kahuku still driving.
At half time sportscaster "Da Coach" Larry Price credited Malosi Te'o with over 150 yards rushing. He also called Micah Strickland, Hawaii's second fastest man, and said the "D" lineman Joseph Faifili was "agile, hostile and mobile, and getting bigger and better."
Perhaps it was from seeing "Red" throughout the first half, so Farrington's second-half kick-off went out of bounds. Kahawai'i hit Kekoa Pahia with a nice pass, but the series ended in a punt. Beatty and Faifili kept pressure on the Governor QB and running backs, ending Farrington's drive quickly. Kahuku, content with working out new combinations, finished out the quarter on offense.
 |
The Red Raiders turned up the heat again as the fourth quarter began, with both Kamuela Alisa and Siaosi Lauhingoa picking up yardage. Then Kahawai'i dropped off a short pass to Devin Unga who hit the "turbo thrusters" and blazed 72 yards for the TD. The PAT was good, bringing Kahuku's final score to 41 points. Now it was up the "D" to put the icing on the Farrington shut out.
The Govs responded with three in-completions in a row and punted. Kahuku, keeping the ball on the ground, used good clock management and worked into scoring range but failed to cross the goal line.
Turning the ball over on downs, however, left the Govs with their backs against the goal. They struggled in vain as the Raider defense began holding meetings on top of their QB.
The game concluded with Kahuku's defense flexing their collective muscles, holding Farrington scoreless. Red Raiders 41, Farrington 0.
Sports editors note: In this game, Kahuku made fewer mistakes, held onto the ball better — even while trying many new combinations of players, and had only one turn-over.
OC-16 awarded its "Athlete of the game" title to Malosi Te'o who had seven carries for 151 yards, all in the first half, and two touchdowns. On presentation Malosi said, "Our ‘O' line did all the work, all I did was run. We (the team) are all a family out there. I'm excited: This is my firs time on OC-16" — but certainly not his last.
A close consideration was give to Spencer Hafoka, for that one handed circus catch — incredible! Larry Price's "KATOOSH" of the game went to B.J. Adolpho for a punishing hit heard in the "nose bleed" seats.
Interviewed after, Kahuku Coach Siuaki Livai said, "I am glad the game turned out the way it did, but there is always room for improvement. Farrington kept coming at us. They didn't quit."
GREAT GAME! GO BIG RED!
[Top]
Setting the scene for the varsity game again McKinley on Sept. 10th, the Red Raider JV tamed the baby Tigers, shutting them out while scoring 43 unanswered points. When Kahuku's "Red Wave" rolled onto the field, they drowned McKinley, 33-0.
Lau Kauvaka put the game in motion, kicking off to the Tigers, who started on their own 25. The Raider "D" wouldn't budge, and it was quickly three-and-punt.
The Red Raiders began with good field position, thanks to a stingy "D" almost on the half-way mark. QB Bronson Ponciano-Ähue handed off to Malosi Teo who, behind good blocking, found an opening and streaked 55 yards for a TD on the first play from scrimmage. A holding penalty brought back the score.
Undaunted Ponciano handed off two in succession to Te'o who ran the first one nine yards and carried the second one down the rest of the field for another score. This one counted. Then in an often repeated scene — the one-two kicking: #1 Redmond Tutor kicking, #2 Ponciano holding — added the PAT and the first seven of 43 was on the score board.
After the kickoff, the Tigers started on their own 19-yard line. Red Raider defenders B.J. Beatty, Simi Älö and Joshua Wily stopped each play, one-two-three, driving McKinley back and forcing a punt, which fell short and left Kahuku in the red zone.
Three plays later Ponciano hit Spencer Hafoka for 17 yards and then Devin Unga took a short pass and plowed over defenders into the end zone. The PAT was good and Kahuku led 14-zip.
Following Kauvaka's kickoff, Afa Bridenstine stopped the McKinley receiver hard, apparently shaking up the Tigers enough that on the next play they in a fumbled the ball, which Wily recovered. Unfortunately, Kahuku eventually fumbled back to McKinley and the first quarter ended 14-0.
McKinley's short-lived drive was closed by Wily and linebacker Max Fairclough. Taking the ball, Kahuku's Siaosi Lauhingoa turned a handoff into a 50 yard gain. Ponciano then threw a strike to La'auli Fonotï, producing another six points. A rare miss the PAT attempt left Kahuku with a 20-0 lead.
Kauvaka kicked off for the Raiders and then went down field to make the stop. McKinley, on first-and-10, threw a pass which Julius Purcell picked off.
First down, and QB Ponciano-Ähue passed to Hafoka who went in for another TD, but a holding penalty brought back another of Kahuku's scores, and the Raiders were eventually forced to punt.
Later, a questionable pass interference call put McKinley in a possible scoring situation. Defenders Kaniela Tuipulotu stopped the play at scrimmage, and then Kaleo Spallone batted down a pass attempt, almost intercepting it.
Kaeo Älö led the "Red Swarm," smothering a run and capping a "D" stand. Mau-He Moala picked off a Tiger pass and returned it to mid field. Returning the favor, McKinley intercepted Kahuku.
The Tigers dropped back to pass but Wily sacked their QB for a 12-yard loss. Then Bridenstine stopped a third-and-forever attempt by McKinley, forcing them to punt. Despite the ensuing power running by Micah Strickland, Kahuku soon had to punt, and McKinley kept possession until the end of the first half.
Coming back from half-time, Kahuku received and on the first down Red Raider QB Kurtney Silva handed off to Strickland, who took a 40-yard rumble to set the tone for the rest of the game.
Jonathan Rickertson powered for another first down with a big gain, Strickland added yet another, then fullback Simi Älö put his shoulder down and bulled his way in for a touchdown. The PAT missed, but the score was still Red Raiders 26, Tigers 0.
Wily drilled the receiver on the next kickoff, then Joseph Faifili and Wily smothered the Tigers QB . Several penalties and some good Tiger gains put McKinley at Kahuku's 7-yard line. Kaleo Spallone, batted down a pass, and on fourth-and-four, Herman Matthews sacked the Tiger QB and Kahuku took over on downs.
Late in the third quarter Hyrum Moors carried the ball for 36 yards, bouncing off tacklers and dragging defenders, setting up a Kahuku first-and-10 on the 13-yard line. The quarter ended and the Red Raiders set up on the other end of the field Moors, again with ball, dashed untouched into the end zone. The PAT was good, and Kahuku now led 33 to 0.
For the remainder of the game Kahuku ran offensive men in and out, giving them valuable experience and testing new alignments. Quarterbacks Josiah Karnuth and Jacob Kahawai'i made substantial gains, running the "O." On the defensive side the "D" men had fun: Joseph Faifili had two QB sacks and several tackles, and C.J. A'alona buried the McKinley QB deep in his own backfield.
At the end of the game, Raider Pride was intact. GO RED!
[Top]