Fast start powers PAC-5 over host Waialua, 34-14, to open 2024 season

WAIALUA – The 2024 season got off to a hot start on Friday night as PAC-5 (1-0) posted a convincing 34-14 road Week 1 victory over Waialua (0-1) in a non-league Division II matchup. The Wolfpack racked up 289 yards of offense, over 200 of which came in the first half, as senior running back Seth Miller rumbled to a pair of rushing touchdowns for the Pack’s first win of the year.

After stopping Waialua on the game’s opening drive, PAC-5 converted five separate times for a first down – including on time on fourth-and-2 on the Waialua 45-yard line – to march the field for the fall’s first score with a 5-yard rush to pay dirt for Kalen Donate.

After the teams traded defensive stops, it was the Wolfpack offense getting busy once again with a mix of the running and passing games. After Rome Lilio’s nice snag on third-and-long to keep the drive alive and bring the Pack inside the Waialua 30, it was Miller time as the senior back capped the drive with an 8-yard score with 5:08 left in the opening half.

PAC-5 would then capitalize on a muffed snap on a fourth down attempt to punt, recovering a fumble by the Bulldogs inside the 20-yard line. Wolfpack quarterback Colten Amai-Nakagawa found wide receiver Colt Hauptman for a 7-yard touchdown a few plays later to help the visitors take a 21-point lead into halftime.

QB Colten Amai-Nakagawa fires a pass to a receiver in the second quarter against Waialua. | Michael Lasquero

While the Wolfpack’s offense was cooking in the opening 24 minutes, the defense held up on the other end as Waialua managed just five yards in the first quarter and 18 total yards over the opening two quarters.

While PAC-5 received the second half’s opening kickoff, the teams quickly traded drive-killing interceptions after advancing into opposing territory for a scoreless third quarter. After forcing a punt following a pick from quarterback Emery Abilla, the Waialua offense showed signs of life behind the junior signal caller by advancing to the Pack’s 2-yard line just before the end of the frame.

Waialua finally punched it in on fourth-and-goal after an encroachment penalty on PAC-5 put the ball on the 1-yard line, using the powerful legs of running back Jace Apau to crack the scoreboard just 17 seconds into the final frame.

PAC-5 quieted any chances of a real comeback for Waialua with a scoring drive spanning nearly eight minutes, capped by Miller’s second rushing touchdown of the night with 3:16 left to play.

Waialua answered with a touchdown two minutes later as Apau scampered free for a 17-yard touchdown to bring the Bulldogs within two scores, 27-14, but a 67-yard kickoff return touchdown by PAC-5’s Hauptman closed the night with a bang for the ILH representative to take down their OIA hosts, 34-14.

Colt Hauptman returns a kickoff down the right sideline for the final score of the night. | Michael Lasquero

Waialua quarterback Emery Abilla finished the night 10-of-17 passing for 77 yards and one interception but led the Bulldogs with 90 yards rushing on 14 tries. Running back Jace Apau finished with 50 yards on the ground across seven attempts, two of which went for touchdowns in the loss.

Braden Sarahina went 10-of-16 passing for 111 yards in the air for Pac-5 while sharing quarterbacking duties with Colten Amai-Nakagawa, who added 83 yards, one touchdown and one interception on 10-of-15 passing for the Wolfpack. Running back Seth Miller took home HSRN’s “Player of the Game” honors after tallying 56 yards and two touchdowns in the season-opening victory for the Pack.

PHOTOS BY MICHAEL LASQUERO