Moanalua QB Zaira Sugui prepares to launch a pass down field in Na Menehune’s 44-0 win over Roosevelt on Tuesday. Sugui threw for 7 TDs, earning Fun Factory “VIP of the Game” honors. | Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

Moanalua roughs up Roosevelt to open OIA girls flag football season

BY PAUL BRECHT | HONOLULU
PUBLISHED MARCH 25, 2025

PRINTABLE VERSION

HONOLULU – New opportunities have arrived. 

The OIA kicked off the inaugural season of high school girls flag football on Tuesday evening as visiting Moanalua took down Roosevelt at Ticky Vasconcellos Stadium, 44-0. Na Menehune junior QB Zaira Sugui threw for seven touchdowns on the night, completing 19-of-28 passes for 305 yards on the way to being named HSRN’s “Fun Factory VIP of the Game” in the victory. 

Freshman wide receiver Lofa Simanu hauled in eight catches for 147 yards and three of Moanalua’s touchdowns while fellow freshman receiver Jodie Keo snagged three passes for 67 yards and a touchdown. Senior Kaia Borjes-Peeples scored touchdowns with both of her catches and Kiani Ramos had the final touchdown for Na Menehune on the last play of the game, a 26-yard reception that drained the final seconds of the running clock. 

“Very exciting,” Moanalua head coach Ladd Mokiao said of finally getting the season started. “[Tonight’s score] doesn’t define Roosevelt or us. It’s the beginning of the season and there’s a lot of work that still needs to be put in on both sides … hopefully, we can evolve this game.” 

Moanalua got active early and often, taking the game’s opening possession all the way down the field for a score with a long 30-plus yard touchdown pass from Sugui to Simanu less than three minutes into action. With a running clock and few stoppages, the first quarter raced by with just three total possessions between the teams as Jodie Keo put Na Menehune up 12-0 with 90 seconds left in the frame. 

The advantage grew to 24 by game’s midway point after Roosevelt’s lone threatening first half offensive drive ended with an interception deep in Moanalua territory. The turnover helped the visiting Menes tack on two more scores in the second quarter without allowing a single point defensively. 

Moanalua senior Kaia Borjes-Peeples tries to speed around the edge during Moanalua’s season-opening victory against Roosevelt. | Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

Simanu and Sugui hooked up two more times for touchdowns after halftime before Kiani Ramos capped off the scoring as Moanalua proved to be primed for the start of the regular season, taking down the Rough Riders, 44-0. Na Menehune (1-0) will look to make it two wins in a row on Friday when they host Farrington at 6:45 p.m. in the second game of a doubleheader at Moanalua. 

Chaselyn Marzan provided a spark on the ground for Roosevelt as the junior rushed for 42 yards on 10 attempts in the loss. The Rough Riders (0-1) also return to action on Friday, taking on Kaimuki (1-0) at 5:30 p.m. HT at Moanalua High School. 

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