The homecoming belonged to Kapa’a, and the Warriors truly provided a show. But when the final set of double-zeros showed up on the scoreboard at Vidinha Stadium Friday night, the evening belonged to Waimea. The Menehunes fought off four uncharacteristic
The homecoming belonged to Kapa’a, and the Warriors truly provided a
show.
But when the final set of double-zeros showed up on the scoreboard at
Vidinha Stadium Friday night, the evening belonged to Waimea.
The Menehunes
fought off four uncharacteristic turnovers, and a fiercely competitive bunch
from Kapa’a, to secure their ninth consecutive Kaua’i Interscholastic
Federation football championship with a 20-7 win.
What Waimea lost,
however, was its KIF opponent’s scoreless streak, and a bit of the untouchable
label.
The score really showed a bigger gap than the football did.
Waimea’s final touchdown and two-point conversion came with 1:27 remaining in
the game.
Kapa’a moved the ball on Waimea as well as any team since
Punahou, in the first preseason game. The Warriors amassed 235 total yards, yet
no single play went for more than 21, indicating consistency.
The Warriors’
defense did everything necessary to give its team a chance to win. It recovered
two Waimea fumbles, and twice intercepted the Menehunes in the end zone to nip
long drives in the bud.
The first score of the game came on a Jordan Dizon
one-yard plow into the end zone midway through the first quarter. But Adrian
Agan’s kick sailed wide of the goalpost, setting up the Warriors to go ahead if
they could reach the end zone.
That came in the third quarter, when Kapa’a
quarterback Dustin Mundon (10 for 17, 108 yards) floated a pass to the corner
under the waiting arms of senior Kalani Miyashiro (7 catches, 57 yards). Tyler
Wakuta added the extra point, putting Waimea behind for the first time all
season.
In between the two scores, Miyashiro picked off a Nikko Naumu pass
in the end zone, and Agan missed a 33-yard field goal.
Junior Randy
Lawrence registered the other end zone interception early in the third
quarter.
But Waimea responded after the Kapa’a score, showing its mettle
and retaliating quickly. Junior Ikaika Cabral pushed into the end zone for the
one-yard go-ahead score early in the fourth quarter.
Menehunes senior Josh
May led all rushers with 141 yards on 19 carries, and scored the final Waimea
TD.
Kapa’a’s Dahson Gonzales rushed 18 times for 61 yards.
In jayvee
action, the Menehunes pounded Kapa’a 62-14 behind four Rayson Cacal TDs. Look
for more coverage in Monday’s Garden Island.
Waimea 20, Kapa’a
7
Waimea 6 0 0 14
20
Kaua’i 0 0 7 0 7
Scoring
summary
Waimea —Dizon 1 run (kick fail)
Kapa’a —Miyashiro 10
pass Mundon (T. Wakuta kick)
Waimea —Cabral 1 run (two-point
fail)
Waimea —May 5 run (two-point good)
The Vital
Stats
Team Stats Menehunes Warriors
1st Downs
17 16
Total Yards 338 235
Rushing
51-270 38-127
Passing 3-7-2-68
10-17-1-108
Punting 0-0 5-35
Fumbles-lost
2-2 4-2
Penalties-Yards 3-25 4-35
Staff Photo
by DENNIS FUJIMOTO
