Kaua‘i wins crucial KIF game

Kaua‘I 21, Waimea 7

Kaua‘i High School’s football team got the win it needed last night beating Waimea High School 21-7 at Vidinha Stadium.

Kaua‘i now moves ahead in the Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation standings at 3-1 and 5-1 overall. Waimea gets slapped with its first loss of the season and now sits at 2-1, 6-1.

Starting quarterback Andrew Renaud was 11-for-18 for 212 yards with an interception and a one-yard touchdown.

The game was looking up for Waimea in the first quarter when at the start of the game, Waimea quarterback Jayrald Watanabe intercepted a Renaud pass to run for a 13-yard TD. The defense sacked Renaud at least four times before the half.

But with 1:27 left to the half, Renaud connected to Tyrus Ceria-Lux for a 32-yard pass. That set up the 24-yard TD pass from Renaud to Sheldon Sakai.

It was all tied going into the second half. Renaud connected to wide open Sakai for a 37-yard pass to land on the one-yard line.

Renaud fumbled the ball, but redeemed himself by recovering it for a TD. Then in perhaps one of the best plays in KIF so far, Renaud found an open Ceria-Lux who ran for an 87-yard touchdown.

Ceria-Luz, who was 2-for-2 in extra points, was also later named the Kaua‘i Toyota Player of the Game.

Defensively for Kaua‘i, Matt Parr made big plays coming up with seven tackles. Chad Koga followed with six tackles. Kupa Graycochea and Bo Valeria both had five tackles apiece.

Waimea was able to come up with seven first downs, compared to Kaua‘i’s 14.

Waimea was 40-for-97 for total offense, compared to Kaua‘i’s 46-for-279.

Waimea sophomore running back Ikaika Rapacon led the Menehune in carries and was 17 for 59 yards. Kelly Batis led the defense with seven tackles.

This sets up a rematch set for Oct. 26 Hanapepe Stadium, which also happens to be Waimea’s homecoming.

Kaua‘i gets next week off, while Waimea hosts Kapa‘a High School.

Earlier in the evening, Kaua‘i’s junior varsity team defeated Waimea 31-12.