LIHUE – The Kaua’i High football team proved how explosive its passing offense can be, and it took two sophomores to do it. First-year quarterback Kekoa Crowell completed 15 of 22 passes for 223 yards and 3 TDs and WR/DB
LIHUE – The Kaua’i High football team proved how explosive its passing offense can be, and it took two sophomores to do it.
First-year quarterback Kekoa Crowell completed 15 of 22 passes for 223 yards and 3 TDs and WR/DB Kevin Cadiente caught a touchdown pass and ran back an interception 103 yards to give the Kaua’i Red Raiders a 28-21 win Friday night at Vidinha Stadium in Lihue.
The Red Raiders scored all of their points in the first half, leaving room for the Warriors to stage a comeback. But several mistakes, including a fumble in the waning moments that nixed their final attempt to tie the game, ended the Warriors’ hopes of obtaining its first league win.
Kaua’i (1-1) amassed 223 total yards – 184 passing and 39 yards on the ground. Cadiente caught 4 passes for 76 yards. Running back Davin Koerte ran for 42 yards on 9 carries.
Kapa’a (0-2) had 377 total yards – 180 yards passing and 197-yards rushing. Quarterback Dustin Mundon completed 10 of 15 passes for 174 yards, 2 TDs and one interception. Frank Rivera, Jr. led the Warrior running game with 91 yards on 10 carries.
Cadiente caught three passes in the Raiders’ initial drive, his third a 10-yard TD to put Kaua’i up 7-0.
Kapa’a answered on its next possession. Mundon broke out for a 61-yard run just before he connected with Warrior receiver Jonny Poe Hooikaika for a 13-yard TD reception.
Despite the quick Warrior score, Crowell kept the Raider offense moving. The sophomore completed a 47-yard pass to Cadiente – who earlier gave the Raiders good field position on a 28-yard kick return – which led to Crowell’s second TD pass, a 13-yard beam to Lance Okasaki.
In the second period, the Warriors came close to evening the score with a Frank Rivera 15-yard dash, which put Kapa’a well within the 20-yard line. But moments later, Mundon was picked off in the end-zone by Cadiente, who ran it back 103 yards for a school record and a 21-7 Raider lead.
Kapa’a couldn’t get its offense in gear before the half. Okasaki landed on a Warrior fumble mid-second quarter, and Crowell would later capitalize with a 27-yard TD pass to receiver Ericson Agmata, his third touchdown throw of the half.
Kapa’a would chip into the lead at the onset of the third quarter. Taking advantage of good field position following a Raider penalty, running back Devin Machado rushed for a three-yard TD to climb the Warriors to within 14 points.
In the fourth quarter, with four minutes remaining, Mundon orchestrated an 11 play, 74 yard drive that ended with an 11-yard TD pass to Austin Rosa to put the Warriors a touchdown away from a tie.
The Warriors would get an opportunity to tie the score after the Raiders fumbled the ensuing kick-off, but Arren Racca would take it back moments later on a Kapa’a fumble to seal the victory for the Raiders.
