No. 6 Punahou makes it look easy in 35-0 win over No. 10 Konawaena

No. 6 Punahou makes it look easy in 35-0 win over No. 10 Konawaena

Aug 11, 2024

 

Punahou LB Talia Vaimaona celebrates after making an interception against Konawaena. | Michael Lasquero

No. 6 Punahou makes it look easy in 35-0 win over No. 10 Konawaena

BY MICHAEL LASQUERO | HSRN
PUBLISHED AUGUST 11, 2024

HONOLULU — Sixth-ranked Punahou wasted no time in its 35-0 rout of No. 6 Konawaena Saturday afternoon in a non-league game at Alexander Field.

The Buffanblu did all of their scoring in the first half in their shutout victory with running back Nelson Aau and receiver Zion White each reaching the end zone twice.

Aau, a senior, rushed for 54 yards on 10 carries, which included a 44-yard scamper to give Punahou a 14-0 lead midway through the first quarter.

White, a 6-foor-4 sophomore, caught touchdown passes from Hunter Fujikawa and Sean Connell, which both went for 20-yard scoring strikes.

David Hinton also reached pay dirt for the Buffanblu with a 10-yard TD pass from Fujikawa.

Linebacker and Notre Dame-commit Ko’o Kia was instrumental in Punahou’s shutout win, recording a game-high 12 tackles. He also lived in the back field with four tackles for loss while also batting away three passes at the line of scrimmage.

Utah-commit Donte Utu also was solid with a fumble recovery and Talia Vaimaona intercepted a pass to derail a Konawaena possession in the first quarter.

PHOTOS BY MICHAEL LASQUERO

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Liatama Amisone accounts for four TDs to lead No. 7 Kapolei over No. 12 Waianae, 28-7

Liatama Amisone accounts for four TDs to lead No. 7 Kapolei over No. 12 Waianae, 28-7

Aug 11, 2024

Kapolei QB Liatama Amisone gets loose for a 79-yard TD run in the third quarter against Waianae. | Andrew Lee

Liatama Amisone accounts for four TDs to lead No. 7 Kapolei over No. 12 Waianae, 28-7

BY MICHAEL LASQUERO | HSRN
PUBLISHED AUGUST 11, 2024

KAPOLEI — Liatama Amisone started his senior season in style.

The third-year starting quarterback threw for three touchdowns and added another score on the ground to help power No. 7 Kapolei over No. 12 Waianae, 28-7, Friday night in both teams’ season opener at the Alvin Nagasako Sports Complex.

Amisone, who has given a verbal commitment to play at San Jose State University, passed for 225 yards in the win while running for 98 yards on just six carries.

The game also served as a rivalry game between two westside schools in what is known as the “Clash for the Club.”

Kapolei enters the field before the game wielding the ceremonial war club. | Andrew Lee

The Hurricanes scored in every quarter in their win over the Seariders. Amisone’s first scoring pass of the game went to Nikko Smith for a 75-yard score midway through the opening period.

The next scoring play was from a much shorter distance with Amisone hooking up with Zayne Pasion on a 4-yard pass to make it a 14-0 game at the 8:56 mark in the second quarter.

Amisone’s 79-yard TD run in the third quarter made it a 21-0 game with 5:43 let to play in the period.

Waianae was able to avoid the shutout when Maximus Kahalewai Sapigao scored on a 4-yard run with 9:06 left in regulation.

Kapolei capped the game’s scoring with Amisone’s 26-yard scoring strike to Smith with under three minutes to play in the game. Smith was the leading receiver in the game with four receptions for 134 yards and two TDs.

Defensive lineman Jenisen Pave led the way in the trenches with nine tackles (eight) solo, two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. The Hurricanes also forced a turnover in the secondary with Jahsyah Kuhiiki coming down with an interception.

Kahalewai Sapigao led Waianae in the loss with 63 yards rushing to go along with 80 yards passing.

PHOTOS BY ANDREW LEE

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

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

Aug 10, 2024

PAC-5 running back Seth Miller carries the ball against in the first quarter against Waialua. | Michael Lasquero

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

BY PAUL BRECHT | HSRN
PUBLISHED AUGUST 10, 2024

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 

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2024 Week 1 High School Football Preview: Waialua opens season against PAC-5

2024 Week 1 High School Football Preview: Waialua opens season against PAC-5

Aug 9, 2024

 

2024 Week 1 High School Football Preview: Waialua opens season against PAC-5

BY MICHAEL LASQUERO | HSRN
PUBLISHED AUGUST 9, 2024

It’s like Christmas in August.

The 2024 edition of Hawai’i high school football kicks off Friday night with five games on the docket with an additional 10 games on Saturday.

Among those games on Friday includes HSRN’s radio broadcast of the Waialua Bulldogs’ home opener against PAC-5 at Toshiyuki Nakasone Field. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. and can be heard on 95.1 FM and AM 760.

“Everybody is excited,” said Waialua coach Gary Wirtz. “I now the community is ready, excited to get back and fill up the stadium. We probably got the best fans on the island because they pack this place out and cheer for us.”

 The Bulldogs will be debuting a new offense this year in what Wirtz described as a “power spread.” Junior quarterback Emery Abilla is back after one year of varsity experience and will look to take a step forward after spending the offseason improving in the pocket, learning how to use his eyes to move the defense as well as working on his footwork speed to limit the amount of sacks taken.

Waialua will need to replace the production of running back Makoakai Fierro and receiver Jayvie Arellano, who each scored five touchdowns in their respective categories. Fierro also added 19 total points in the kicking game.

Helping the ground game this year will be running backs Rayden Wilson, Taylor Calaro and Jace Apau while transfer Kaies Demello will step in at kicker. In the receiving game, Hayze Ramos, Jeremiah Kahalewai and Kaleb Rice are expected to be contributors.

Rice will also have his name called on defense as a safety and special teams as a returner. He and two-way lineman Coda Kalama were ScoringLive All-OIA Division II Second Team selections in 2023.

Sky Hirota, Jensen Fujishige and Ramos are players on defense that Rice said will be key.

“I think this year we have more skill and more potential with all the boys and I think we can pull something off,” said Rice.

Waialua’s opponent this week, the PAC-5 Wolfpack, are coming off a state semifinal appearance and their first ever-state tournament win with an opening round victory over Kaimuki. Among the key players coming back for the Wolfpack include the All-Hawaii Division II Defensive Player of the Year in safety Jerome Lilio and First Team running back Seth Miller.

“They’re a really solid team” Wirtz said of PAC-5. “I think it’s going to be a really good game. I know they’re going to bring it so we’re just ready and prepared to give them the best shot we got.”

Friday, Aug. 9 schedule

Tafuna (American Samoa) at No. 11 Waipahu

Division I reigning state champion Waipahu starts its campaign with a home game against an out-of-country team. The Marauders lost around 30 players to graduation and another 10 more to transfer this offseason and will need to lean on returning RB Faafetai Failauga.

No. 9 Leilehua at No. 8 Kamehameha (TV)

The Mules and Warriors are separated by just one spot on the ScoringLive Power Rankings despite being in different divisions. Leilehua is tabbed by some coaches to be the favorite to win it all in Division I while Kamehameha is looking to bounce back in year two under coach Kaeo Drummondo after losing the final five games of 2023.

No. 12 Waianae at No. 7 Kapolei (TV)

Waianae will see the coaching debut of its new head coach in Vince Nihipali, who previously was the head coach of Moanalua. The Seariders and Hurricanes also play for a perpetual war club trophy it what is known as “The Clash for the Club.”

Aiea at Roosevelt 

Long term assistant coach Mika Li’ili’i makes his head coaching debut for Na Ali’i after taking over the recently retired Wendell Say, who was the lead man for 32 years. The Rough Riders boast a loaded junior class that helped the team win the OIA Division II championship a year ago as sophomores.

Saturday, Aug. 10 schedule

No. 10 Konawaena at No. 6 Punahou

The Wildcats are making one of two scheduled trips to Oahu this month and is primed for another trip in late November after reaching the Division I state final the past two seasons. QB Sean Connell has transferred back to Punahou after playing for Kaiser last season, but not before setting a new state track record in the 400-meter dash back in May.

Kalani at No. 13 ‘Iolani

Another new head coach makes their coaching debut in Kenric Pai for the Falcons in what will be the Raiders’ 59th annual Father Bray Memorial Football Classic Saturday afternoon. ‘Iolani is hoping to start the season in winning fashion after missing out on the state tournament a year ago.

No. 2 Mililani at Kailua

The reigning Offensive Player of the Year and future University of Washington QB Kini McMillan starts his senior year against the Surfriders and will have a pair of talented transfers to throw to in WR Tana Togafau-Tavui from Campbell and TE Kekua “Rhino” Aumua from Kahuku. Kailua signal-caller Romeo Ortiz also has a wealth of experience as a four-year varsity player.

Damien at No. 3 Campbell

The Monarchs are looking to build on their ILH Division I championship win from 2023 with RB/LB Sylas Alaimalo back for his senior year. The Sabers are loaded with Division I FBS talent that includes Cal-commit Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele at quarterback and OT Jordan Kernaghan, who is committed to Hawai’i.

Nanakuli at KS-Hawai’i

The Golden Hawks were competitive in many games last year, but fell short of the postseason in 2023. They will travel to Hawai’i Island on Saturday in their first game against the Warriors since 2014. KS-Hawaii returns a number of key starters, including junior LB Diesel Demello.

Moanalua at Radford

Because of field situations, the battle of Salt Lake Boulevard this weekend is actually the lone regular season matchup of week one. The Rams avoided a move down to Division II this year with a late surge in 2023 while Na Menehune is back in Division I after a rough two years in the Open Division.

No. 14 Kapaa at No. 5 Farrington (TV)

The Governors have been at the top of the offseason news with the hiring of Mike Lafaele as head coach and the addition of a number of transfers, including OLB Zaden Mariteragi and OL Abel Hoopii from Kahuku. The Warriors are looking to build off a state semifinal appearance in 2023 in Mike Tresler’s fourth year as the head man.

Castle at Pearl City

The Knights and Chargers have flopped divisions this season with Castle in Division II and Pearl City in Division I for the first time under veteran head coach Robin Kami. Both teams have elite kickers on their respective squads with Aztin Pitt of Castle and Kahai Chang of Pearl City.

Honokaa at King Kekaulike

Both teams were a few plays from winning a Division II state title in 2022, but failed to make the state tournament in 2023. This game might have the shortest duration of the weekend with both the Dragons and Na Ali’i utilizing run-first offenses.

No. 4 Saint Louis at No. 1 Kahuku (TV)

Tupu Alualu makes his debut as the head man for the Crusaders after taking over for offensive guru Ron Lee. Almost the entirety of the Red Raiders’ starting defense will play Division I collegiate football, but they could be without University of Utah-commit and the reigning Defensive Player of the Year in safety Mana Carvalho with multiple sources saying he may have suffered a season-ending injury.

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Waipahu, Pearl City embracing challenge of moving up a division

Waipahu, Pearl City embracing challenge of moving up a division

Aug 7, 2024

 

Waipahu, Pearl City embracing challenge of moving up a division

BY MICHAEL LASQUERO | HSRN
PUBLISHED AUGUST 7, 2024

A pair of high school football teams on the leeward side of Oahu will be experiencing some “firsts” in 2024.

Waipahu will be making its debut in the Open Division while Pearl City is in Division I for the first time under head coach Robin Kami this season.

Because of the OIA’s divisional alignment rules based on wins and losses, the Marauders make the move up from Division I after winning the league title the past two years and their second state title in 2023.

Waipahu head coach Bryson Carvalho has been the head man for his alma mater since 2015 and has helped the program grow from a Division II team all the way to the Open Division. He said that the move up to the highest tier is all about “raising the bar” and “setting the standard” as they will play teams like Kahuku and Mililani in the regular season.

“The competition is a lot better as far as I’m concerned. It’s the best (league) in the state and they proved it with two OIA schools in the state (championship) last year so that’s kind of our competition and we just got to rise to the occasion.”

The Marauders lose a lot however from their state-championship winning team a year ago. Carvalho estimates 30 players that graduated and another 10 players that transferred out, which included both returning quarterbacks that had starting experience. Sophomore QB David Vidinha was expected to be the junior varsity starter this year, but is now entrusted with the reins of Waipahu’s run-pass option (RPO) offense.

“We’re going to have to rely on the guys that have the experience and find ways to get David comfortable in the system and then we go from there,” said Carvalho.

“We lost our entire receiving class, not only the starters, but even the backups so we lost about eight receivers from a year ago so these guys gotta step up, but at the same time we don’t want to ask of them too much when we got somebody that’s reliable at the running back position.”

That reliability comes in senior RB Faafetai Failauga, who averaged 115.8 yards a game in the Marauders’ four postseason contests last year. He is also the younger brother of former Waipahu RB Alfred Failauga, the all-time rushing leader in the state.

“His whole family played through our program,” Carvalho said of his starting RB. “His brother carries the record and he has a lot of similar traits. We’re going to try and rely on him as much as we can at the same time, in this division we’ve got to be able to spread it out a little bit as well.”

Defensively, the Marauders made a few plays in their most recent scrimmage against Pearl City last Saturday with Randy Miguel, Jason “Jayboy” Ganiron Jr. and Jhayean Baptista each getting an interception in the first half. Ganiron and Baptista even scored on their respective turnovers forced. Coordinator Miah Leota is back to coach the defense after taking over the position after three games last season.

“The defense has really stepped up, props to coach Miah. He always gets the guys ready to play,” said Carvalho. “I hope they continue, but there’s still ways to go regardless of how we looked with (forcing) turnovers. I think there’s still a ways to overall in regards to what division we’re in and the competition we have overall.”

For the Chargers, moving up to Division I took a bit of adjustment period, but they’re ready for the challenge.

“In the beginning we were like kind of shocked, but now we’re kind of excited and it’s a reality that anytime you move up a division in any sport, it’s going to be tough you know,” said coach Kami, who has been the head coach of the program since 2013. “It’s a challenge for us, but I think our players and coaches are looking forward to it.

“This year’s squad, I think we’ll be alright. We just got to make sure we stay together as a team and hopefully they can execute things and we’ll be alright.”

It will be Pearl City’s first time in Division I since being in what was known as the Red Division in 2008. Participation has not fluctuate with the move up with the Chargers boasting around 50 varsity players and 40 players on the JV.”

Kami said he is glad that his team is playing together as a family heading into the season, but the margin of error is much smaller moving up from Division II.

“We have to go back to basics, the blocking, the tackling, the catching, the running, all of that we have to be better at especially now going to D1, we cannot make mistakes.”

The Chargers have a few returnees on both sides of the ball that is entering their third varsity season to help ease the transition. Offensively they return receivers Lennon Elder and Keaton Tomas, who combined for 10 touchdown receptions last season. Linebackers Tiger Ader and Jesse Castro also brings experience on the defensive side of the ball. Kami also thinks returning kicker Kahai Chang has potential to play the position at the next level.

Pearl City struggled early on its scrimmage against Waipahu, but it kept fighting throughout the game and even scored on a fourth-down touchdown pass to Tayvon Ching-Harrell over the middle in the fourth quarter. The Chargers also recorded an interception in the end zone to prevent another Waipahu score on the final play of the scrimmage.

“I like that they didn’t give up,” Kami said. “No matter what was going on, they still kept fighting play-by-play. I told them if we can stick like how we played in the fourth quarter, we’ll be alright.”

The Chargers open up their non-league schedule with a home game against Castle on Saturday while the Marauders host Tafuna of American Samoa on Friday.

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