KAPA‘A — The final game of the Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation season may have been the most competitive and action-packed of the season as the Kapa‘a Warriors tried to defend their home field on homecoming night against the previously winless Waimea
KAPA‘A — The final game of the Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation season may have been the most competitive and action-packed of the season as the Kapa‘a Warriors tried to defend their home field on homecoming night against the previously winless Waimea Menehune. Yet it was Waimea which came away with a 23-20 win to close with a 1-5 KIF record.
Waimea’s Kaulana Waalani-Arroyo was the deserving player of the game, finishing with 126 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
Waimea took its first possession 58 yards for the night’s first touchdown. The drive included a 19-yard run by Waalani-Arroyo, followed later by a 14-yard run by Jenzen Cacal. The Menehune drove down to the 2-yard line, where Waalani-Arroyo capped the drive with a two-yard touchdown dive.
The missed extra point made it 6-0 at the 6:37 mark of the first quarter.
The Warriors began their ensuing drive on their own 10-yard line. Waimea brought its aggressive defensive front and forced a safety when Ikaika Rapacon tackled Brentten Rapozo in the end zone on a busted end around. The score was 8-0 with five minutes to play in the first.
In the second quarter, Kapa‘a’s Kevin Cremer jumped on a Waimea fumble and the Warriors took over at the Menehune 33. On 4th and 7 at the 30, Kapa‘a went for it and was successful when Brehdan Kamibayashi hit Rapozo on a crossing pattern for 17 yards. On the very next play, Kamibayashi threw a perfect pass, leading Awai Dejos on a post for the 13-yard touchdown. The extra point was good and Kapa‘a cut Waimea’s lead to 8-7, as the teams went to the locker room at halftime.
Kapa‘a kept the momentum and ran with it early in the second half with the defense on the field. Waimea receiver Alex Palacio fumbled, which set off a mad scramble. It squirted into the end zone, where Kapa‘a’s Cremer dove on it again for a Warriors touchdown. The point after gave Kapa‘a a 14-8 advantage.
Even after Waalani-Arroyo was helped off the field with an apparent knee injury, Waimea began its strong response. Ikaika Rapacon picked up the slack with tough running, picking up 14 and 12 yards on consecutive plays, bringing up a 1st and Goal on the 8-yard line.
Two plays later, Waalani-Arroyo re-entered and took the third-down pitch four yards for the tying score.
With problems in the kicking game, Waimea went for the two-point conversion and was successful when Happy Niau-Kanahele was wide open for the score on a play-action pass. Waimea led 16-14 with 6:18 to play in the third quarter.
The Menehune continued to play solid defense, then added to their lead late in the fourth quarter when the Warriors were unable to stop the run. Rapacon, Waalani-Arroyo and Cacal all picked up big chunks of yardage while keeping the clock moving. Waalani-Arroyo had the biggest play when he got good blocking, broke three tackles and busted a 42-yard run. He was later rewarded with three straight red-zone attempts, resulting in a five-yard touchdown run. The extra point made the score 23-14.
The Warriors kept themselves alive when receiver Peter Paul Ruiz was wide open for a 36-yard reception to the 5-yard line. Dejos capitalized on the next play, hauling in the touchdown catch. The extra point was botched and Kapa‘a trailed 23-20 with 1:45 to play.
The Warriors came out and set up for the necessary onside kick, but the Menehune did not seem to have their special teams lined up to cover it. The kick was bounced toward the Kapa‘a sideline and the Warriors appeared to be headed for the recovery, but Christian Tangalin stepped up and may have made the biggest play for Waimea on the night by gathering the ball into his chest.
Kapa‘a got the ball back for one last heave, but Waalani-Arroyo cemented his player of the game status with an interception.
In earlier action, the Waimea JV completed a perfect 6-0 season with a miracle touchdown in the game’s closing seconds. Photos and details to follow in Sunday’s edition.
