Kailua uses second-half surge to take down cross-town rival Castle
BY PAUL BRECHT | HONOLULU
PUBLISHED AUG 26, 2023
KĀNE’OHE – The Kailua Surfriders (1-2, 1-1 league) picked up their first win of the season Friday night, scoring 20 unanswered points to beat neighbor school rival Castle (1-1, 0-1 league), 30-15, in a rainy slugfest.
The Surfriders, the designated home squad depsite the game taking place at Castle due to a current lack of field for Kailua, struck first on the back of running back Clayton Quidachay for the only score of the opening quarter to take a 7-0 lead.
Castle answered back on the first play of the second quarter, as Nathanael-Seth Rombawa sped to the front-left corner of the endzone to help the Knights knot it up, 7-7. Kailua quickly would re-take the lead, 10-7, after Kai Fraser knocked a short field goal through the uprights on the next possession for the Surfriders.
Some family magic for Castle on the next drive would help the Knights take their first lead of the night, as sophomore QB Nai Kalauokaaea found junior WR Trisen Kalauokaaea on a 4th-and-22 heave that the wideout brought down for a touchdown. Castle was successful on the two-point try and took a 15-10 lead with just under two minutes left in the first half.
It would be the last score of the night for Castle.
HSFB | HALFTIME | @HIsportsradio
— Paul Brecht (@12brecht) August 26, 2023
Kailua runs a beautiful 2-minute drill offense, but stalls out inside the Castle 20 and Kai Fraser’s FG attempt goes wide left.
Knights take a knee and head to the locker room up, 15-10.
Halftime analysis, HERE: https://t.co/FZlk3L0s8O
20 unanswered points by Kailua after halftime, three scores by three different Surfriders in the final 13 minutes of regulation would be the formula to push the Surfriders by the Knights on a damp Friday evening, 30-15.
Castle’s Nai Kalauokaaea finished the evening 9-of-19 with 158 yards passing and a touchdown for the Knights, who struggled with ball security in the second half as the rain began to fall heavier and faster.
Kailua’s signal-caller Romeo Ortiz enjoyed a productive night, completing 8-of-13 passes for 129 yards and chipped in a rushing touchdown. The Surfriders rode the wave of running backs having good nights, as Quidachay finished with 87 yards and a touchdown on just 12 carries and Caysen Samson racked up 76 yards on 15 carries and a score of his own.
Castle will look to get back on track in a couple of weeks on September 8, when the Knights travel to Kapolei for a league contest. Kailua will be back in action next week on Friday, September 1, hosting Kaimuki for a non-league game with kickoff scheduled for 3:30 p.m. HT.
High-speed Hawai’i offense on full display in exhibition win over Hawaii Pacific
HONOLULU – Runnin’ Rainbow Wahine. The University of Hawai’i women’s basketball team took to the floor for the first time under the leadership of first-year head coach Khalilah Mitchell on Wednesday night, dominating to the tune of a 90-38...
After years of change, HPU’s Maile Salang finds home in Hawai’i
HONOLULU – Before making her way to the islands, Maile Salang was a bit of a school nomad. From Oregon originally, Salang graduated high school in the Philippines. She split her time between two different elementary schools, two separate middle...
Kamehameha-Maui moves back into Top 25 of Lasquero’s Football Power Rankings
Michael Lasquero gives his Top 25 best teams in the state heading into the 12th weekend of the Hawaii High School Football season.1. Kapolei (7-1) Previous rank: 1 Last week: idle This week: idle Analysis: As the No. 1 seed in the OIA Open...
Sharks Weekly: HPU Women’s Basketball Builds on Experience, Unity Entering Year Two
Hawai‘i Pacific University women’s basketball enters its second season under head coach Brent Gibson with a stronger sense of identity and a roster looking to build on the foundation established a year ago. Gibson joined Sharks Weekly alongside...
Rainbow Wahine Invitational Tees Off with Purpose, Supporting Kaua‘i Hurricane Relief
KAUA'I, HAWAI'I – The 30th Rainbow Wahine Invitational is about more than golf this year, as the University of Hawai‘i's annual women's golf tournament brings together collegiate athletes and supporters to help Kaua‘i families recovering from...
Pair of clean sheets help Justin secure Mountain West Defense Player of the Week
HONOLULU – The leader of the “No Goal Patrol” keeps powering up. University of Hawai’i junior goalkeeper Kennedy Justin was named the Mountain West’s Defensive Player of the Week on Monday after helping the Rainbow Wahine soccer team extend its...
Sylvester snags Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week honors
HONOLULU – Host a block party, reap the rewards after. University of Hawai’i middle blocker Miliana Sylvester was named the Old Trapper Mountain West Women’s Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week on Monday morning after posting 22 total...
New Mexico overcomes nightmare first half to hand fourth straight loss to Hawai’i
HONOLULU – The devil is in the details. Despite holding a double-digit halftime lead, committing less penalties and forcing more turnovers than the defense that entered the night pacing the country in total takeaways, the University of Hawai’i...
Postgame Notes & Quotes: Hawai‘i Falls to New Mexico After Second-Half Shutout
HONOLULU — Hawai‘i carried a 10-0 lead into halftime Saturday night but was unable to hold off New Mexico, falling 21-10 in its 75th Homecoming Game at Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex. The Rainbow Warriors (1-6, 0-4 Mountain West) held the...
Hawai‘i Looks to Turn the Page Against Surging New Mexico on Homecoming
HONOLULU — At the midway point of the season, Hawai‘i finds itself searching for answers. The Rainbow Warriors have remained competitive in stretches but have struggled to turn opportunities into victories, a trend they hope to reverse Saturday...