HANAPEPE — Waimea High School scored four fourth-quarter touchdowns — more than the Menehune scored in the previous three quarters combined — to overcome Kapa‘a High School 49-7 for the Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation season opener at Hanapepe Stadium. Waimea (1-0)
HANAPEPE — Waimea High School scored four fourth-quarter touchdowns — more than the Menehune scored in the previous three quarters combined — to overcome Kapa‘a High School 49-7 for the Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation season opener at Hanapepe Stadium.
Waimea (1-0) and the fans at the stadium were able to withstand several distractions throughout the night as it started out wet, the air reeking with the smell of a backed up nearby septic tank and a sky swarmed by termites.
Junior quarterback Jenzen Cacal was 8-of-11 in passing for 90 yards, with a running touchdown and two passing.
On the Menehune’s first series, they were able to get into the red zone and keep the lanes open for Cacal to run in for a 5 yard touchdown — the first of the night.
Then in the second, Max Agor found the corner to come in for a 1-yard TD at 5:54. Later, a 26-yard run by Moses Fierro got the Menehune to the Kapa‘a 34-yard line with 30 seconds left in the half. Cacal threw to Dylan Ishihara to get close enough for a field goal attempt. Cody Owen’s 38-yard attempt floated just wide of the posts. Owen still finished the game 7-for-7 in extra point attempts.
The Menehune were up 14-0 by the end of the half.
In the third Kapa‘a (0-1) recovered a Waimea fumble which set up the plays resulting in a Joseph Velasco catch and run for a 37-yard touchdown. Velasco would do a quick turn around and kick his own extra point.
Things seemed to turn around maybe for the Warriors, now under the coaching of former long-time Kaua‘i High School coach Keli‘i Morgado. But Waimea came back with a 61-yard run by Agor.
Then came an explosive fourth quarter for the Menehune. Cacal connected with Fierro for an 11-yard TD, Kaulana Waalani-Arroyo returned a Kapa‘a fumble for a 10-yard TD, Ikaika Rapacon had an 8-yard run touchdown and Cacal found Fierro again for a 13-yard pass touchdown.
This was somewhat of feeler game for the two teams who both introduced a new offense this season. Waimea and Kapa‘a have traditionally been running teams, but both have incorporated more passing this year.
Agor was Waimea’s leading rusher with 12 carries for 130 yards.
Waimea had 457 yards of total offense to Kapa‘a’s 39.
