HANAPEPE – The Kaua’i High Red Raiders were successful in putting bodies on Jordon Dizon, but it wasn’t enough to stop the junior running back, who ducked, weaved and bulldozed his way to 229 yards and 4 touchdowns in the
HANAPEPE – The Kaua’i High Red Raiders were successful in putting bodies on Jordon Dizon, but it wasn’t enough to stop the junior running back, who ducked, weaved and bulldozed his way to 229 yards and 4 touchdowns in the Waimea Menehunes’ 34-20 season opening win at Hanapepe Field Friday night.
Dizon ran for 207 yards and three TDs in the first half, and made an exit as running back in the third quarter following his fourth touchdown.
Jon Palacio, exhibiting the skill of a passer in a non-passing offense, completed 5 of 11 passes for 113 yards. Overall, the Menehunes amassed 314 yards.
The Red Raider offense looked better in the final two periods than the first half, scoring two unanswered touchdowns in the final minutes.
Sophomore Kekoa Crowell had a Jeckyl and Hyde first start for the Raiders, completing 10 of 24 passes for 172 yards and rushing for two touchdowns. He threw five interceptions in the contest. The Raiders committed a total of six turnovers in the game.
Eight minutes into the first, Dizon ran in a 5 yard TD following a 7 play, 63 yard drive.
On Waimea’s ensuing possession, Raider Levi Fajardo picked up a Dizon fumble and ran it back 68-yards for the Raiders’ only touchdown of the first half.
Dizon would score the next two TDs, each 20-yard runs, to put the Menehunes up 21-6.
With just over two minutes in the half, Andres Emayo picked up a Raider fumble, which led to a 28-yard touchdown pass from Palacio to wide receiver Dane Koga.
Dizon scored his final touchdown in the first minutes of the second half, a one-yarder stemming from an interception from defensive back Jay Parinas.
The Menehunes led 34-6 in the third, and gave many of their substitutes like fullback Rhyan Parbo (12 carries, 71 yards) a chance to play.
The Red Raiders answered with two rushing touchdowns in the fourth period – each by Crowell for 22 and 11 yards – to close the gap to 34-20.
In the Jayvee game, Waimea tied Kaua’i 7-7. Look for a story on that game in Sunday’s TGI edition.
The Menehunes (1-0) will next face the Kapa’a Warriors Friday, Sept. 20, at Vidinha Stadium.
