Kaua‘i escapes with win

LIHU‘E — The best game of the KIF season happened last night at Vidinha Stadium, as Kaua‘i High School escaped a tough charge by Kapa‘a High School, 14-10. With the victory the Red Raiders remain a game behind KIF frontrunner Waimea High School, who is unbeaten after two games.

The defensive struggle started in the first quarter, as both teams couldn’t muster up any offense. Kapa‘a held on Kaua‘i’s initial drive and the Warriors got into Red Raider territory only to give the ball back on a punt.

Kaua‘i drove inside the Kapa‘a 18 yard line at the end of the first quarter, but a Frank Speetjens 35 yard field goal fell short. With 7:43 to go in the second quarter, Kapa‘a’s Bronson Yadao rambled to the Kaua‘i 11 yard line, as Lance Okasaki made a TD saving tackle to stop the Warrior runningback. However, 30 seconds later, Kapa‘a quarterback Kalima Leong scampered into the endzone for an 11 yard TD, which gave the Warriors the early 7-0 lead, wih Kai Kanoho’s PAT.

Late in the second, Kaua‘i’s Crowell slipped a pass to Lopez at the four yard line to set up a Niko Elvenia two yard TD run to tie the game up at the half with Frank Speetjens’ PAT, 7-7. Both teams scrambled back and forth in the third quarter, as Leong and Ekolu Allianic of Kapa‘a ran all over the field, but weren’t able to score. A Kevin Cadiente INT stopped a late Kapa‘a rally. The Warriors put up a 25 yard field goal by Kai Kanoho to give them the 10-7 lead with 11:02 to go.

The game-winning 73 yard pass play from Crowell to Cadiente put Kaua‘i up for good at 14-7, thanks to another Speetjens PAT. Brian Rodriguez and Alan Satta kept Kapa‘a off the scoreboard with an INT a piece. Catch the broadcast of the game on channel 6 on Sun. and Wed. from 9-11 p.m.