Pearl City runs past Kalaheo in the second half to reach OIA D2 title game

KALIHI — The Pearl City Chargers have championship aspirations — and are running over anyone that gets in their way.

Pearl City ran for a season-high 335 yards and scored 17 straight unanswered points after halftime in its 24-7 OIA Division II semifinal win over Kalaheo Friday night at Farrington’s Skippa Diaz Stadium.

The Chargers (7-4 overall, 5-2 league) advance to Thursday’s championship game against two-time defending league champion Roosevelt at the same venue on Nov. 6. Kickoff is slated for 6:30 p.m.

“It feels pretty great, I love all these boys right here,” said running back Alohi Gaspar, who ran for a season-high 133 yards and three touchdowns to earn Fun Factory’s ‘VIP of the Game’ award.

“It feels great to be a part of this legacy that me and these boys are about to build right here.”

Pearl City’s win over the Mustangs (7-2, 6-1) also was a reversal of fortunes from the regular season meeting between both teams. The two squads were tied at halftime and after three quarters during the Oct. 11 meeting before the Mustangs scored 21 points in the fourth quarter to win, 35-14.

“We wanted our revenge today,” said Gaspar.

That mindset was felt on the opening possession when Gaspar ran it six times for 70 yards and the first points of the game.

The Chargers also didn’t rely heavily on a passing game with three different players taking snaps behind center.

Pearl City used seven different ball carriers in the win with Gaspar getting the bulk of the carries with 17. Aidan Minami was also particularly effective with six carries for 140 yards and a pair of long runs that helped set up two second-half scores.

“The game plan was just running straight through their gut and get first downs and touchdowns all day,” said Gaspar. “O-line was just blowing up everybody today, nobody stood a chance.”

The Chargers also won the turnover battle, led by safety Kealiiomana Keola’s interception and forced fumble. Manuel Cachuela also recovered a fumble.

“Our defense was doing good today,” said Gaspar. “They read everything good. They was doing their job.”

After Gaspar’s opening score, Kalaheo answered with Nai Kalauokaaea’s 44-yard TD pass to Loch Moorman. The Mustangs’ signal-caller unfortunately suffered an injury early in the third quarter that limited the offense in the second half.