Warriors clip Falcons

LIHU‘E — The Kapa‘a Warriors took on the Kalani Falcons of Honolulu Saturday at Vidinha Stadium. After a sloppy start, the Warriors were able to over come turnovers and pull away with the 42-21 victory.

In the first three Warrior offensive possessions of the first quarter, quarterback Daniel Reis threw three interceptions, however Kalani could only capitalize once with a 1-yard touchdown run by running back Genta Hammani, which was set up by a 20-yard hook-up between Falcons quarterback Noah Brum and wide receiver Tyler Ho. Kalani then converted on the extra point putting them ahead 7-0.

Kapa‘a quickly answered back with a ground game of their own on a 26-yard quarterback-keeper by Fresno Masaniai, which set up a 3-yard touchdown run by running back Cory Somera-Payomo. The score knotted the game at 7-7.

Capitalizing on a Warrior fumble Kalani’s Brum hit Blaise Manabe for a 20-yard touchdown pass giving Kalani a 14-7 lead in the second quarter. Kapa‘a quickly gathered itself, and quarterback Fresno Masaniai delivered a huge 47-yard touchdown throw to wide receiver J.J. Alonzo. Kicker Jonathan Paleka converted the extra point tying the game at 14 apiece to close out the first half of play.

Alonzo contributed with two touchdown catches on the night including a 72-yard reception from Reis.

With the score tied at 21 late in the third quarter, the Warrior’s Masaniai connected on a huge 47-yard pass play to wide receiver Kana‘i Thronas to give Kapa‘a its first lead of the night at 27-21. Paleka added the extra point to make it 28-21 in favor of the Warriors.

It wasn’t until midway through the fourth quarter did Kapa‘a pull away with a touchdown pass by Reis and a 27-yard touchdown run by running back Somera-Poyomo. The final two scores were all the Warriors would need as the Kapa‘a defense held strong not giving up any more points in game.

In Junior Varsity action, Kapa‘a Warriors defeated the Falcons 52-8.