Paul Honda

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Paul Honda's coverage primarily focuses on local high school sports, particularly basketball and football in Hawaii. His work heavily features event coverage with a smaller portion dedicated to evolving stories within the realm of sports. Given his focus on local events, he would likely be interested in pitches related to human-interest stories about athletes or teams from the region.

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Girls flag football ready to hit the ground running

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Saint Louis opens ILH with big victory

Nainoa Lopes fired four touchdown passes, including 7- and 6-yarders to Hashley Kingston Siliado as No. 4 Saint Louis pulled away in the second half for 37-7 win over No. 6 Kamehameha on Friday night at Skippa Diaz Stadium.

Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Kailua closes show against Leilehua By Paul Honda [email protected] Today • Updated 11:55 p.m. Kailua head coach Joe Wong during a game in 2023. There's nothing really rusty about Kailua defensive back Rusty Whitlock. The 6-foot, 180-pound safety made the play of the game, hustling to the back of the end zone to intercept a potential winning touchdown pass by Leilehua's Bennett Strobel with 13 seconds left as Kailua upset the No. 9 Mules 33-30 on Saturday night at Hugh Yoshida Stadium. Trailing by 19 points, the home team rallied with 16 unanswered points in the final quarter. With no timeouts left, it was fourth and 6 with the clock running when Strobel left the pocket and began striding upfield. Whitlock lost his man — Trustin Gomes — for a second, then trucked back into coverage. Strobel's lob got over the outstretched arms of Jabez Lilo, but Whitlock was there to deny the touchdown and break the hearts of Leilehua fans. “If (Strobel) was there (running), I would've been there, but I looked back and picked it. I do what I do,” Whitlock said. “Jabez, shout out to him. He was doing good all day, getting tackles for me.” It was the OIA Division I opener for both teams. Kailua was 0-3 against a tough nonconference slate. Leilehua (1-3 overall) had just come off a loss to California powerhouse Central Catholic. After that, the Mules made a change at QB, switching from Hanohano Plunkett to Strobel, who finished with 292 yards and four TDs with two picks on 22-for-41 passing. “If people know the history, the amount of games between Leilehua and Kailua is probably one of the most. It's like 50-something to 50-something and two ties, or something like that. That's a rivalry,” Kailua coach Joe Wong said. “It's always been Kailua and Leilehua in the past playing for a lot of things, whether it's a quarterfinal, semifinal or OIA championship.” Leilehua sophomore running back Cameron Keeve had a stellar night with 149 yards on 30 carries. He also had three receptions for 97 yards. The Surfriders broke the scoreless drought on a nine-play, 74-yard drive that began late in the opening quarter. Leilehua committed a personal foul that helped the visitors. On the next snap, Isaiah Keaunui-Demello fired a quick pass to Max Kamai in the right flat. A Leilehua defender missed a tackle attempt, and Kamai outran two Mules to the right pylon for a 12-yard touchdown. Kailua led 7-0 with 10:30 left in the first half. Leilehua responded on its next series. One snap after taking a sack, Strobel eluded another pass rusher, stopped on a dime and flicked the ball to Keeve. The fleet-footed sophomore raced through traffic up the right sideline, cut back on the final Kailua defender and finished off an 87-yard touchdown to tie the game at 7 with nine minutes to go before halftime. Romeo Ortiz returned to the game at quarterback and led the Surfriders on a 10-play, 80-yard scoring drive. Ortiz found Stoney Pocock wide open near the left pylon, and Pocock rumbled over the goal line to give Kailua a 13-7 lead with 5:36 remaining in the first half. On the ensuing kickoff return, Lilo recovered a fumble for Kailua at the Leilehua 29-yard line. On third-and-15, Keaunui-Demello launched a deep lob to Caleb Makilan for a 27-yard gain to the 7-yard line. JJ Rezentes scored moments later on a 1-yard plunge. Kailua had a 20-7 lead at 3:56 before intermission. In the first 20 minutes of the contest, Kailua had possession of the ball for 14 minutes and 55 seconds. Leilehua's offense found its rhythm on the final series of the first half. Strobel was effective maneuvering out of the pocket as the Mules marched to the Kailua 19-yard line, but on fourth and 18, Lilo sacked Strobel to end the threat with 12 seconds before the break. Three plays into Leilehua's opening drive of the second half, Kailua defensive lineman Benjamin Honebein batted a pass by Strobel and intercepted the ball, returning it 35 yards for a touchdown. That opened Kailua's lead to 27-7 with 10:55 to go in the third quarter. The Mules then took momentum back. Strobel found Keola Seumanutafa-Bryant, a converted 5-foot-8, 260-pound lineman, on play action for a 4-yard touchdown pass with 8:34 to go in the third stanza. Logan Peters recovered the ensuing onside kick, but Leilehua's drive stalled. Penalties cost the Mules dearly. Kailua had third and 17 at the Leilehua 44-yard line when Peters, a defensive back, blasted Kamai on an overthrown pass between the hash marks. After the personal foul was assessed, Ortiz kept the ball on an RPO read for a 29-yard touchdown. Kailua led 33-14 with 4:03 to go in the third quarter. Leilehua drove to the Kailua 21, but on fourth and 1, Surfriders defensive back AJ Lusk stopped Keeve in the open field for a 1-yard loss, ending the drive. Kailua's massive offensive line, averaging 6-3 and 283 pounds per man, was a major force. Leilehua's O-line did its part as well, pushing Kailua's defense back in the fourth quarter. Keeve racked up 70 yards on six carries on the drive before Strobel found Zaeven Newman for a 4-yard TD pass. After Peters raced in for the 2-point conversion, Leilehua trailed 33-22 with 8:22 remaining. Tempers flared on a Kailua punt with 5:24 left. Two Leilehua defenders pummeled Kailua's punter after the kick. While an official tossed a yellow flag, players from both teams rushed the field. After the field was cleared, the game was halted for 10 minutes as both teams were addressed by their coaches. One Leilehua fan was asked to leave the premises, and he complied. Despite the drama, Leilehua kept composure. Strobel found Talon Tarpley for a diving 30-yard TD with 3:10 left, bringing the Mules within 33-30. The Mules got the ball back on Kailua's punt with 2:30 remaining. Chaystin Senas' 11-yard return set up Leilehua at the Kailua 43-yard line. Kailua's defense brought heavy pressure on Strobel. Leilehua managed a 1-yard pass from Strobel to Keeve on third down, but an injury timeout for a Kailua defender stopped the clock with 1:43 to go. On fourth and 9, Strobel found Tarpley for an 11-yard completion. Four plays later, on fourth and 6 at the Kailua 26-yard line, it was last-stand time for both teams. Kalaheo 72, Kalani 14 Jude Weber threw for a school-record 342 yards and seven touchdowns as the Mustangs dominated the Falcons. Weber broke his own school record of 333 set last year against Kaiser. Weber connected with Cody Salas for five touchdowns, with Salas hauling in seven passes for 263 yards. Kamalu Jordan caught the other two touchdowns from Weber, finishing with four catches for 49 yards. The Mustangs (2-0, 1-0) finished with 506 yards of total offense. Their 72 points were just two short of the school record of 74 set against Kalani in 2006. Takeo Eckart led the Falcons (0-3, 0-1) with 93 rushing yards and a touchdown. Waialua 34, Kaimuki 14 Taylor Calaro rushed for 159 yards and two touchdowns as Waialua scored 28 unanswered points to complete a comeback win over Kaimuki. Trailing 14-6 at halftime, Waialua (2-1, 1-0) scored 15 points in the third quarter to reclaim the lead, then added 13 in the fourth to pull away. Zechariah Kuratsu-Cook rushed for 135 yards to lead Kaimuki (0-1, 0-1), which lost to Waialua for the first time since 2016. At Hugh Yoshida Stadium Kailua 0 20 13 0 — 33 Leilehua 0 7 7 16 — 30 KAI—Max Kamai 12 pass from Isaiah Keaunui-Demello (Desmond McMaster kick) LEI—Cameron Reeve 87 pass from Bennett Strobel (Rodel Alano kick) KAI—Stoney Pocock 27 pass from Romeo Ortiz (kick blocked) KAI—JJ Rezentes 1 run (McMaster kick) KAI—Benjamin Honebein 35 interception return (McMaster kick) LEI—Keola Seumanutafa-Bryant 4 pass from Bennett Strobel (Alano kick) KAI—Ortiz 29 run (kick failed) LEI—Zaeven Newman 4 pass from Strobel (Logan Peters run) LEI—Talon Tarpley 30 pass from Strobel (Kingston Kennedy run) JV—Leilehua 32, Kailua 6. RUSHING—Kail: Ortiz 17-89, Rezentes 9-11, Aizek Ka‘anoi 1-6, Caysen Samson 8-15, team 1-(-1). Lei: Keeve 30-149, Strobel 7-(-19). PASSING—Kail: Keaunui-Demello 11-15-0-175, Ortiz 7-11-0-90. Lei: Strobel 22-41-2-292, team 0-1-0-0. RECEIVING—Kail: Ka‘anoi 7-100, Pocock 4-73, Isaiah Kaiu 3-33, Kamai 2-23, Caleb Makilan 1-27, Xavier Kauhi-Babas 1-9. Lei: Tarpley 10-98, Newman 4-36, Keeve 3-97, Gomes 2-43, Brennan Kepaa 1-9, Romeo Tubon 1-5, Keola Seumanutafa-Bryant 1-4. WAIALUA 34, KAIMUKI 14 At Skippa Diaz Stadium Waialua (2-1, 1-0) 0 6 15 13 — 34 Kaimuki (0-1, 0-1) 0 14 0 0 — 14 WAIL—Cash Manalo 9 pass from Emery Abilla (kick failed) KAIM—Talan Domingo 14 pass from Gabriel Logan (Hinano Kahawai kick) KAIM—Lukela Hicks 34 pass from Logan (Kahawai kick) WAIL—Sky Hirota 13 pass from Abilla (Abilla pass to Jace Apao) WAIL—Taylor Calaro 1 run (Kaies Demello kick) WAIL—Abilla 5 run (Demello kick) WAIL—Calaro 11 run (run failed) RUSHING—Waialua: Calaro 17-159, Jace Apau 9-22, Abilla 6-8, Nuutea Van Bastolaer 2-7, Philip Ising 1-4, Team 1-(minus 1). Kaimuki: Zechariah Kuratsu-Cook 17-135, Iosua Letuli 2-13, Logan 1-(minus 5). PASSING—Waialua: Abilla 7-20-0-93, Ising 0-1-1-0. Kaimuki: Logan 15-27-3-158 RECEIVING—Waialua: Hirota 3-37, Germaine Bagasol 1-30, Jeremiah Kahalewai 1-9, Manalo 1-9, Kade Celebre 1-8. Kaimuki: Hicks 4-77, Marbert Ungeni 1-32, Domingo 2-29, Hinano Kahawai 3-8, Letuli 1-7, Ungeni 1-3, Kuratsu-Cook 3-2. KALAHEO 72, KALANI 14 At Kailua Kalani (0-3, 0-1) 7 7 0 0 — 14 Kalaheo (2-0, 1-0) 26 24 16 6 — 72 KALN—Kaisten-Paul Ching 54 pass from Kaimana Canlas (Ryan Bulseco kick) KALH—Cody Salas 59 pass from Jude Weber (kick failed) KALH—Salas 30 pass from Weber (run failed) KALH—Kamalu Jordan 20 pass from We- ber (run failed) KALH—Matthew Pyne 6 run (Jordan run) KALN—Takeo Eckart 32 run (Ryan Bulseco kick) KALH—Vance Ramolete 5 run (Jordan run) KALH—Salas 31 pass from Weber (Jordan run) KALH—Salas 80 pass from Weber (Jordan run) KALH—Salas 21 pass from Weber (Jordan run) KALH—Jordan 10 pass from Weber (Jor- dan run) KALH—Konner Martinez 36 run (pass failed) RUSHING—Kalani: Eckart 16-93, Nicholas Segawa 2-1, Kotaro Aizawa 4-(minus 6), Team 1-(minus 18), Pierce Mundell 4-(minus 32). Kalaheo: Pyne 5-54, Martinez 3-45, Ramolete 4-36, Jordan 5-34, Ayven Mahukona 1-1, Team 1-(minus 6). PASSING—Kalani: Canlas 1-1-0-54, Mundell 4-13-0-40. Kalaheo: Weber 16-24-0-342, Loch Moorman 1-1-0-0. RECEIVING—Kalani: Kaisten-Paul Ching 1-54, Brennan Takara 1-20, Segawa 2-11, Canlas 1-9. Kalaheo: Salas 7-263, Jordan 4-49, Chance Baqui 2-22, Pyne 1-8, Damian Akiu 1-0.

Kailua closes show against Leilehua By Paul Honda phonda@staradvertser.com Today • Updated 11:55 p.m. Kailua head coach Joe Wong during a game in 2023. There's nothing really rusty about Kailua defensive back Rusty Whitlock. The 6-foot, 180-pound safety made the play of the game, hustling to the back of the end zone to intercept a potential winning touchdown pass by Leilehua's Bennett Strobel with 13 seconds left as Kailua upset the No. 9 Mules 33-30 on Saturday night at Hugh Yoshida Stadium. Trailing by 19 points, the home team rallied with 16 unanswered points in the final quarter. With no timeouts left, it was fourth and 6 with the clock running when Strobel left the pocket and began striding upfield. Whitlock lost his man — Trustin Gomes — for a second, then trucked back into coverage. Strobel's lob got over the outstretched arms of Jabez Lilo, but Whitlock was there to deny the touchdown and break the hearts of Leilehua fans. “If (Strobel) was there (running), I would've been there, but I looked back and picked it. I do what I do,” Whitlock said. “Jabez, shout out to him. He was doing good all day, getting tackles for me.” It was the OIA Division I opener for both teams. Kailua was 0-3 against a tough nonconference slate. Leilehua (1-3 overall) had just come off a loss to California powerhouse Central Catholic. After that, the Mules made a change at QB, switching from Hanohano Plunkett to Strobel, who finished with 292 yards and four TDs with two picks on 22-for-41 passing. “If people know the history, the amount of games between Leilehua and Kailua is probably one of the most. It's like 50-something to 50-something and two ties, or something like that. That's a rivalry,” Kailua coach Joe Wong said. “It's always been Kailua and Leilehua in the past playing for a lot of things, whether it's a quarterfinal, semifinal or OIA championship.” Leilehua sophomore running back Cameron Keeve had a stellar night with 149 yards on 30 carries. He also had three receptions for 97 yards. The Surfriders broke the scoreless drought on a nine-play, 74-yard drive that began late in the opening quarter. Leilehua committed a personal foul that helped the visitors. On the next snap, Isaiah Keaunui-Demello fired a quick pass to Max Kamai in the right flat. A Leilehua defender missed a tackle attempt, and Kamai outran two Mules to the right pylon for a 12-yard touchdown. Kailua led 7-0 with 10:30 left in the first half. Leilehua responded on its next series. One snap after taking a sack, Strobel eluded another pass rusher, stopped on a dime and flicked the ball to Keeve. The fleet-footed sophomore raced through traffic up the right sideline, cut back on the final Kailua defender and finished off an 87-yard touchdown to tie the game at 7 with nine minutes to go before halftime. Romeo Ortiz returned to the game at quarterback and led the Surfriders on a 10-play, 80-yard scoring drive. Ortiz found Stoney Pocock wide open near the left pylon, and Pocock rumbled over the goal line to give Kailua a 13-7 lead with 5:36 remaining in the first half. On the ensuing kickoff return, Lilo recovered a fumble for Kailua at the Leilehua 29-yard line. On third-and-15, Keaunui-Demello launched a deep lob to Caleb Makilan for a 27-yard gain to the 7-yard line. JJ Rezentes scored moments later on a 1-yard plunge. Kailua had a 20-7 lead at 3:56 before intermission. In the first 20 minutes of the contest, Kailua had possession of the ball for 14 minutes and 55 seconds. Leilehua's offense found its rhythm on the final series of the first half. Strobel was effective maneuvering out of the pocket as the Mules marched to the Kailua 19-yard line, but on fourth and 18, Lilo sacked Strobel to end the threat with 12 seconds before the break. Three plays into Leilehua's opening drive of the second half, Kailua defensive lineman Benjamin Honebein batted a pass by Strobel and intercepted the ball, returning it 35 yards for a touchdown. That opened Kailua's lead to 27-7 with 10:55 to go in the third quarter. The Mules then took momentum back. Strobel found Keola Seumanutafa-Bryant, a converted 5-foot-8, 260-pound lineman, on play action for a 4-yard touchdown pass with 8:34 to go in the third stanza. Logan Peters recovered the ensuing onside kick, but Leilehua's drive stalled. Penalties cost the Mules dearly. Kailua had third and 17 at the Leilehua 44-yard line when Peters, a defensive back, blasted Kamai on an overthrown pass between the hash marks. After the personal foul was assessed, Ortiz kept the ball on an RPO read for a 29-yard touchdown. Kailua led 33-14 with 4:03 to go in the third quarter. Leilehua drove to the Kailua 21, but on fourth and 1, Surfriders defensive back AJ Lusk stopped Keeve in the open field for a 1-yard loss, ending the drive. Kailua's massive offensive line, averaging 6-3 and 283 pounds per man, was a major force. Leilehua's O-line did its part as well, pushing Kailua's defense back in the fourth quarter. Keeve racked up 70 yards on six carries on the drive before Strobel found Zaeven Newman for a 4-yard TD pass. After Peters raced in for the 2-point conversion, Leilehua trailed 33-22 with 8:22 remaining. Tempers flared on a Kailua punt with 5:24 left. Two Leilehua defenders pummeled Kailua's punter after the kick. While an official tossed a yellow flag, players from both teams rushed the field. After the field was cleared, the game was halted for 10 minutes as both teams were addressed by their coaches. One Leilehua fan was asked to leave the premises, and he complied. Despite the drama, Leilehua kept composure. Strobel found Talon Tarpley for a diving 30-yard TD with 3:10 left, bringing the Mules within 33-30. The Mules got the ball back on Kailua's punt with 2:30 remaining. Chaystin Senas' 11-yard return set up Leilehua at the Kailua 43-yard line. Kailua's defense brought heavy pressure on Strobel. Leilehua managed a 1-yard pass from Strobel to Keeve on third down, but an injury timeout for a Kailua defender stopped the clock with 1:43 to go. On fourth and 9, Strobel found Tarpley for an 11-yard completion. Four plays later, on fourth and 6 at the Kailua 26-yard line, it was last-stand time for both teams. Kalaheo 72, Kalani 14 Jude Weber threw for a school-record 342 yards and seven touchdowns as the Mustangs dominated the Falcons. Weber broke his own school record of 333 set last year against Kaiser. Weber connected with Cody Salas for five touchdowns, with Salas hauling in seven passes for 263 yards. Kamalu Jordan caught the other two touchdowns from Weber, finishing with four catches for 49 yards. The Mustangs (2-0, 1-0) finished with 506 yards of total offense. Their 72 points were just two short of the school record of 74 set against Kalani in 2006. Takeo Eckart led the Falcons (0-3, 0-1) with 93 rushing yards and a touchdown. Waialua 34, Kaimuki 14 Taylor Calaro rushed for 159 yards and two touchdowns as Waialua scored 28 unanswered points to complete a comeback win over Kaimuki. Trailing 14-6 at halftime, Waialua (2-1, 1-0) scored 15 points in the third quarter to reclaim the lead, then added 13 in the fourth to pull away. Zechariah Kuratsu-Cook rushed for 135 yards to lead Kaimuki (0-1, 0-1), which lost to Waialua for the first time since 2016. At Hugh Yoshida Stadium Kailua 0 20 13 0 — 33 Leilehua 0 7 7 16 — 30 KAI—Max Kamai 12 pass from Isaiah Keaunui-Demello (Desmond McMaster kick) LEI—Cameron Reeve 87 pass from Bennett Strobel (Rodel Alano kick) KAI—Stoney Pocock 27 pass from Romeo Ortiz (kick blocked) KAI—JJ Rezentes 1 run (McMaster kick) KAI—Benjamin Honebein 35 interception return (McMaster kick) LEI—Keola Seumanutafa-Bryant 4 pass from Bennett Strobel (Alano kick) KAI—Ortiz 29 run (kick failed) LEI—Zaeven Newman 4 pass from Strobel (Logan Peters run) LEI—Talon Tarpley 30 pass from Strobel (Kingston Kennedy run) JV—Leilehua 32, Kailua 6. RUSHING—Kail: Ortiz 17-89, Rezentes 9-11, Aizek Ka‘anoi 1-6, Caysen Samson 8-15, team 1-(-1). Lei: Keeve 30-149, Strobel 7-(-19). PASSING—Kail: Keaunui-Demello 11-15-0-175, Ortiz 7-11-0-90. Lei: Strobel 22-41-2-292, team 0-1-0-0. RECEIVING—Kail: Ka‘anoi 7-100, Pocock 4-73, Isaiah Kaiu 3-33, Kamai 2-23, Caleb Makilan 1-27, Xavier Kauhi-Babas 1-9. Lei: Tarpley 10-98, Newman 4-36, Keeve 3-97, Gomes 2-43, Brennan Kepaa 1-9, Romeo Tubon 1-5, Keola Seumanutafa-Bryant 1-4. WAIALUA 34, KAIMUKI 14 At Skippa Diaz Stadium Waialua (2-1, 1-0) 0 6 15 13 — 34 Kaimuki (0-1, 0-1) 0 14 0 0 — 14 WAIL—Cash Manalo 9 pass from Emery Abilla (kick failed) KAIM—Talan Domingo 14 pass from Gabriel Logan (Hinano Kahawai kick) KAIM—Lukela Hicks 34 pass from Logan (Kahawai kick) WAIL—Sky Hirota 13 pass from Abilla (Abilla pass to Jace Apao) WAIL—Taylor Calaro 1 run (Kaies Demello kick) WAIL—Abilla 5 run (Demello kick) WAIL—Calaro 11 run (run failed) RUSHING—Waialua: Calaro 17-159, Jace Apau 9-22, Abilla 6-8, Nuutea Van Bastolaer 2-7, Philip Ising 1-4, Team 1-(minus 1). Kaimuki: Zechariah Kuratsu-Cook 17-135, Iosua Letuli 2-13, Logan 1-(minus 5). PASSING—Waialua: Abilla 7-20-0-93, Ising 0-1-1-0. Kaimuki: Logan 15-27-3-158 RECEIVING—Waialua: Hirota 3-37, Germaine Bagasol 1-30, Jeremiah Kahalewai 1-9, Manalo 1-9, Kade Celebre 1-8. Kaimuki: Hicks 4-77, Marbert Ungeni 1-32, Domingo 2-29, Hinano Kahawai 3-8, Letuli 1-7, Ungeni 1-3, Kuratsu-Cook 3-2. KALAHEO 72, KALANI 14 At Kailua Kalani (0-3, 0-1) 7 7 0 0 — 14 Kalaheo (2-0, 1-0) 26 24 16 6 — 72 KALN—Kaisten-Paul Ching 54 pass from Kaimana Canlas (Ryan Bulseco kick) KALH—Cody Salas 59 pass from Jude Weber (kick failed) KALH—Salas 30 pass from Weber (run failed) KALH—Kamalu Jordan 20 pass from We- ber (run failed) KALH—Matthew Pyne 6 run (Jordan run) KALN—Takeo Eckart 32 run (Ryan Bulseco kick) KALH—Vance Ramolete 5 run (Jordan run) KALH—Salas 31 pass from Weber (Jordan run) KALH—Salas 80 pass from Weber (Jordan run) KALH—Salas 21 pass from Weber (Jordan run) KALH—Jordan 10 pass from Weber (Jor- dan run) KALH—Konner Martinez 36 run (pass failed) RUSHING—Kalani: Eckart 16-93, Nicholas Segawa 2-1, Kotaro Aizawa 4-(minus 6), Team 1-(minus 18), Pierce Mundell 4-(minus 32). Kalaheo: Pyne 5-54, Martinez 3-45, Ramolete 4-36, Jordan 5-34, Ayven Mahukona 1-1, Team 1-(minus 6). PASSING—Kalani: Canlas 1-1-0-54, Mundell 4-13-0-40. Kalaheo: Weber 16-24-0-342, Loch Moorman 1-1-0-0. RECEIVING—Kalani: Kaisten-Paul Ching 1-54, Brennan Takara 1-20, Segawa 2-11, Canlas 1-9. Kalaheo: Salas 7-263, Jordan 4-49, Chance Baqui 2-22, Pyne 1-8, Damian Akiu 1-0.

Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Blocked punt ignites Moanalua win against Kailua

Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Pac-Five football on a roll Today • Updated 11:50 p.m. Swipe or click to see more CRAIG T. KOJIMA / [email protected]. Pac-Five running back Seth Miller scored a touchdown in the first half at ‘Iolani on Friday. 2/3 Swipe or click to see more CRAIG T. KOJIMA / [email protected]. Pac-Five QB Braden Sarahina runs a play in the first half. 3/3 Swipe or click to see more CRAIG T. KOJIMA / [email protected]. Iolani's Kekama Kane, right, has a pass play broken up late in the first half. Miller, a 5-foot-10, 175-pound senior, was relentless to the end. His 272-yard total broke a single-game school mark set by Keoni Tom-Millare in 2011. He carried the ball 37 times behind a tireless offensive line that also played on defense. He also caught three passes for 52 yards and another TD. “It took a lot of hard work. The same guys came out this year as last year. We built our team chemistry. We built a rhythm — everybody did their job and worked hard,” Miller said. The win ended Pac-Five's 18-game losing streak to the Raiders. Pac-Five's previous win over ‘Iolani was on Oct. 20, 2007, a 21-14 score at Aloha Stadium. “I was just born (in 2007),” Miller said. Pac-Five improved to 5-0 overall with the win. The loss doesn't affect ‘Iolani's record in the ILH Division I standings. However, the visiting Wolfpack managed to spoil ‘Iolani's homecoming just a bit. The D-line was led in part by 6-foot-3, 300-pound junior Ghesiah Faleafine-Auwae. He batted down three passes and had a sack and fumble recovery. “It's hard work and dedication at practice,” he said. “Our coaches are always pushing us and pushing us, telling us to keep going. We always have more grit than other people. We practice at a park. We don't have our own field. Nothing is given.” The front five of Faleafine-Auwae, Kage Fine (6-0, 250), Zion Samsonas (6-0, 240), Jahshua Jerome (6-0, 235) and Ethan Kamahele-Tolbert (6-3, 300) is young and disciplined. No false starts all game long, and not a senior among them. “The fatigue is real. It's hot here. Blocking for this guy (Miller), you don't even need to block most of the time. Sometimes you let him run, he does the job,” Faleafine-Auwae said. “Sometimes I can see him peripherally. If I go this way, he'll go right behind me.” ‘Iolani had eight in the box on most snaps, and was in position to defend. Miller's lower-body strength and power are difference-makers. “ ‘Iolani was definitely in the right positions. They made great plays most of the time, but my team put their faith in me and I had to go out there and perform as best as possible for them.” ‘Iolani quarterback CJ Villanueva completed 24 of 37 passes for 252 yards. Kekama Kane hauled in nine of those tosses for 122 yards, and Keon Preusser had nine catches for 98 yards. It was only the second time ‘Iolani (3-5 overall) did not have a TD pass in a game. Yet, it was a one-score margin in the final minutes. “Anything I do for this team is because of this guy right here, Peter Estomago,” Pac-Five coach Kena Heffernan said, standing next to the longtime Pac-Five athletic director. “Fifty years ago, Pac-Five started. Without guys like him, we wouldn't be able to give opportunities to kids. They just do the job. We have 26 guys. A lot of the seniors, when they started as freshmen, they never played football before. It's always a tribute to them.” The teams exchanged fumbles at the start on a balmy afternoon in Moiliili. ‘Iolani's first fumble came when Kane lost the ball at the end of a 32-yard reception. The second giveaway came on a dive play, with Jones Vierra taking a hit from Elijah Connell-Chavez, who recovered at the 50-yard line. The Wolfpack then drove the distance in six plays, going smashmouth with their massive offensive line. Miller rumbled up the gut for a 5-yard touchdown and a 6-0 lead with 3:57 left in the first quarter. Pac-Five's Evan Derauf was short on a 39-yard field-goal attempt, but another sack and fumble recovery followed by the Raiders. Despite two turnovers and taking two sacks, ‘Iolani was in position to take the lead in the second quarter. On third down and goal at the Pac-Five 7-yard line, Villanueva was sacked by Faleafine-Auwae, who recovered the fumble. Moments later, quarterback Braden Sarahina found Miller on a short pass, and Miller broke a tackle at the 27-yard line en route to a 47-yard TD. Pac-Five led 12-0 with 1:30 to go in the first half. A 1-yard TD run by Jones Vierra capped a 13-play, 62-yard drive. The Raiders were within 12-7 with 2:40 remaining in the third quarter. The Wolfpack answered with a decisive eight-play, 80-yard march. Miller and his trench men provided the power again. He ran over a defender on the sideline during a 44-yard run, and closed the drive with a 7-yard TD, moving the pile after contact. Pac-Five led 19-7 with 11:17 to go. The home team was resilient, driving 60 yards in seven plays against a unit that has several two-way starters. Vierra plunged over the goal line for another 1-yard TD, cutting the Wolfpack lead to 19-14 with 9:09 left. One play into their next offensive series, Pac-Five lost safety-wide receiver Rome Lilio to an injury. ‘Iolani appeared to have the Wolfpack in the hole on third and 11, but Miller broke off right tackle for a 30-yard gain to restore momentum. Moments later, Pac-Five had a fourth and 2 at the Raiders' 46-yard line. Miller cut back and got 2 yards to move the chains with less than six minutes remaining. Miller and his offensive line came through again on fourth and 1 as he bolted up the gut for a 26-yard gain. His 9-yard TD run on the next play sealed the win for Pac-Five, opening the lead to 26-14 with 3:06 to go. ‘Iolani's last-chance drive ended at the Pac-Five 13-yard line with a completion that was inches short on fourth down. Pac-Five will meet Damien on Friday at Kamehameha's Kunuiakea Stadium. ‘Iolani will have a bye, then host Saint Louis I-AA on Oct. 11. Division II Pac-Five already has an automatic state-tournament berth. — at Eddie Hamada Field Pac-Five (5-0, 3-0) 6 6 0 14 — 26 ‘Iolani (3-5, 2-2) 0 0 7 7 — 14 P5—Seth Miller 5 run (kick blocked) P5—Miller 47 pass from Braden Sarahina (run failed) IOL—Jonas Vierra 1 run (Kekama Kane kick) P5—Miller 7 run (Evan Derauf kick) IOL—Vierra 1 run (Kane kick) P5—Miller 9 run (Derauf kick) RUSHING—Pac-Five: Miller 37-272, Colt Hauptman 3-4, Elijah Connell-Chavez 2-2, Team 2-(minus 6). ‘Iolani: Vierra 17-49, Kane 2-35, Quincy Oka 1-5, CJ Villanueva 3-(minus 32). PASSING—Pac-Five: Sarahina 7-13-0-103. ‘Iolani: Villanueva 24-37-0-252. RECEIVING—Pac-Five: Miller 3-52, Todd McKinney 1-18, Hauptman 1-15, Rome Lilio 1-11, Kalen Donate 1-7. ‘Iolani: Kane 9-122, Keon Preusser 9-98, Tyger Hayashi 3-20, Vierra 1-6, Oka 1-4.

Seth Miller rushed for a school-record 272 yards and two touchdowns as Pac-Five pulled out a 26-14 win over ‘Iolani on Friday afternoon at Eddie Hamada Field.

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Leilehua comes through against Radford

Kevin Burke and and Ezekiel Anahu came through with a combo sack in the final seconds, and Chaystin Senas followed with a game-ending interception on Ali Togafau's hail Mary pass as time expired to give Leilehua a 28-21 win over Radford on Saturday night at Hugh Yoshida Stadium.

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