LIHU’E – Take away a 61-second span of the third quarter, and last night’s KIF battle between Kapa’a and Kaua’i at Vidinha Stadium carries quite the different look. In that period of time, the Warriors capitalized on two Red Raiders’
LIHU’E – Take away a 61-second span of the third quarter, and last night’s KIF
battle between Kapa’a and Kaua’i at Vidinha Stadium carries quite the different
look.
In that period of time, the Warriors capitalized on two Red Raiders’
fumbles, scoring 20 points and expanding a 7-0 advantage to 27-0.
It was
the Warrior backfield that proved cause and benefactor of Friday night’s
lopsided score.
Junior Dahson Gonzales led the way with 18 carries for 152
yards, and found the end zone three times. Senior captain Kalani Miyashiro also
got in on the fun, rushing for 72 yards on 11 carries, and scoring
twice.
The tandem pounded away at the Red Raiders’ defense all night long,
keeping the Kaua’i defenders on the field for more than their share of time.
The backs used the first half to wear down the depth-thirsty Red Raiders,
before punishing them after the intermission.
But it was a solid night of
groundwork for Kaua’i, too. Junior Jameson Smith pounded away for 136 yards on
22 carries. He also put the Red Raiders on the scoreboard for just the second
time this KIF season when he broke off right tackle, and blasted through the
Kapa’a defensive backfield for a 55-yard scoring run.
But as solid as
Kapa’a’s ground game proved, its defense made all the difference. The Warriors
forced three Red Raiders’ fumbles in all, and intercepted quarterback Kamo’i
Refamonte three times on the evening.
Picking balls off for the Warriors
were Randy Lawrence (51-yard run back), Kalika Wong (who also recovered a
fumble) and Jud McRoberts. Kaua’i’s Regis Canales also got in on the action,
picking off the Warriors’ Dustin Mundon.
If not for the turnovers, Friday’s
result might have been markedly different. The Red Raiders gave a spirited
first-half effort, driving the ball deep into Warrior territory on their first
and fourth drives. But if it wasn’t a fourth-down conversion failed, then it
was a fumble that did them in.
The Warriors’ Mundon finished 3-for-10 for
37 yards on the night. The Red Raiders’ Refamonte connected on 11 of his 25
pass attempts for 77 yards. The 205 total yards were as many as Kaua’i has put
up this season.
In jayvee action, Kapa’a bested Kaua’i 15-3. Look for
results of the past four junior varsity games in Sunday’s edition of The
Garden Island.
