Na Ali‘i Power Past the Cougars with Explosive Start
BY HSRN STAFF
PUBLISHED SEPT 12, 2025
HAWAII KAI – Aiea exploded out of the gate Friday night and never looked back, defeating the Kaiser Cougars with a dominant performance fueled by big plays on both sides of the ball.
Na Ali‘i wasted no time as Caizel Jesus-Kapesi connected with Legend Byrd-Tauala for an 80-yard touchdown on the first play of the game. Less than a minute later, Jesus-Kapesi found Ezra Spencer from 26 yards out to extend the lead. Moments later, Hiki Kim Choy-Keb-Ah Lo delivered a highlight-reel 77-yard pick-six, putting Aiea firmly in control. The senior standout wasn’t done, hauling in a 32-yard touchdown pass from Jesus-Kapesi to give Na Ali‘i a commanding 27–0 first-quarter lead.
In the second quarter, Byrd-Tauala broke free for a 64-yard scoring run to stretch the margin heading into halftime. Aiea’s momentum carried into the third, as Kim Choy-Keb-Ah Lo added a 13-yard rushing touchdown. Kaiser finally broke through late in the quarter when Caleb Hamasaki connected with Tanner Pada on a 37-yard touchdown strike, cutting into the deficit.
Na Ali‘i capped the night in the fourth with a 26-yard field goal from Victor Guevara, sealing the victory.
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