HANAPEPE — With the Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation title wrapped up after last week’s home win over Kapa‘a, Kaua‘i High School was hoping to complete an undefeated regular season during Waimea’s homecoming celebration, Friday night at Hanapepe Stadium. They came away
HANAPEPE — With the Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation title wrapped up after last week’s home win over Kapa‘a, Kaua‘i High School was hoping to complete an undefeated regular season during Waimea’s homecoming celebration, Friday night at Hanapepe Stadium.
They came away successful, notching a 45-0 win to move to 9-0 on the season, 6-0 in the KIF.
The Raiders took control early, using a nine-play drive that ended with a 20-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Trey Shimabukuro to Kalena “Boom” Rodero Workman. The drive was aided by a successful fake punt on 4th and 10 from the Waimea 36-yard line, when punter Jamen Kealoha-Albarado hit Cameron Largusa for a 16-yard gain.
Later in the first, Waimea, punting from its own 29, gave Kaua‘i a short field when the high snap forced punter Kaulana Waalani-Arroyo to tuck and run with the ball, coming up well short of the first down.
The Raiders struck on their next play, a 30-yard touchdown pass to a wide open Taran Tani, putting the score at 14-0 with 1:11 to play in the opening quarter.
Kaua‘i forced another punt and put itself in prime position when Tani came from the edge and blocked the attempt, his second punt block in two weeks. On 3rd and 10 from the 15, Shimabukuro tossed his third score of the half, this time to Puna Hanohano.
The teams went to the locker room with Kaua‘i holding a 21-0 lead as Waimea brought out its homecoming court, followed by a performance by the Menehune band.
The Raiders wasted no time adding to their lead coming out of the break, as Cameron Largusa scooped up a line drive kickoff at the Kaua‘i 20-yard line, weaved his way to the left sideline and then outran the Waimea coverage unit, resulting in an 80-yard touchdown return just seconds into the half.
The Raiders got the ball back and kicker Shea Shimabukuro came out for his first field goal attempt of the evening, nailing a 38-yarder for a 31-0 lead.
The Menehune put a small drive together, yet Kaua‘i’s Niko Chow sniffed out a Jenzen Cacal pass just past midfield and sprinted the other way, stumbling near the goal line but diving in for a score and the 38-0 lead.
Kaua‘i coach Derek Borrero kept Shimabukuro (10 for 23, 138 yards, three touchdowns) on the sideline for the rest of the night, handing the offense over to junior Anderson Baloron. Running back Paleku Yasay (nine carries, 69 yards) was also given the fourth quarter off with senior Dustin Julian serving as the new primary carrier.
The Menehune threatened to get on the board when Waalani-Arroyo broke off a huge run, picking up 60 yards and setting up a 1st and Goal at the Raiders’ 5-yard line. But the Kaua‘i defense held up and preserved the shutout, shutting down a fourth down bootleg attempt.
Julian added the final touch by busting through the Waimea defensive front, reaching the second level and running away from everyone on a 93-yard touchdown run in the final minute, creating the final math.
Tani, last week’s player of the game, had another huge outing, collecting seven receptions for 98 yards, plus a punt block and an interception.
Waimea’s Waalani-Arroyo had 68 yards rushing, while Ikaika Rapacon had 64 yards on 14 carries.
This was the Raiders’ last game before heading into the Hawai‘i High School Athletic Association state tournament, while Waimea will finish its season next week against Kapa‘a at the New Kapa‘a Town Park.
The Waimea JV kept its undefeated season alive with a 7-0 win over the Kaua‘i JV. Full story coming in Sunday’s edition.
