�??Ben is too good of an athlete.  We needed to find a position for
him in the game,�?� said head coach Danny Matsumoto.

It started off shaky for McQuown.  Coming in as a punt returner,
he fumbled the first punt which Aiea recovered at the Searider 29 yard
line.  That led to the first score on the ensuing play, a TD pass
from Naeole to Aldodius Colquitt with just 39 seconds elapsed in the
1st quarter.

After a touchback on the kickoff, McQuown made up for that play in a
big way.  Lining up at right slot, he took the inside handoff and
blazed around the left corner for an electrifying 80-yard touchdown
run.  The kick failed but it was already 7-6 with only 52 seconds
into the game.  The game looked like it would be a shoot out.

But the home team defense, playing their final home game, had something
to say about that.  D-linemen Kanekoa Asing and Brennan Sato,
along with linebacker Patrick Mauga, and defensive back Josh Chung,
dominated the line of scrimmage and the passing lanes. 
Tacgere-Bailey was held to only 45 yards in the air on 6 of 17 passing
attempts.  The vaunted Waianae running attack was also held in
check with 266 total yards.  Danny Kekoanui was the workhorse with
10 carries for 46 tough yards along with 4 catches for 29 yards. 
Take away two 80-yard touchdown runs by McQuown (he had another
magnificent run at the end of the game from the quarterback
position),  and the defense only allowed 106 yards on the ground.

Colquitt was one of 6 receivers to catch a pass in the game.  He
tallied 8 catches for 109 yards and 2 touchdowns.  Leading
receiver James Buchanan, who came into the game leading the state with
517 yards, suffered an injury that required paramedics to transport him
to a nearby hospital.  Trainers were not allowed to comment on the
injury.  The team said a prayer for him after the game.

With the defense shutting down Waianae, the Aiea offense did their part
as well.  Naeole led his team methodically down field with
precision passing from their wide open offensive attack.  It was
common to see empty backfields and 5 receivers flowing down the
field.  Naeole completed 21 of 30 passes, including at one point
hitting 11 completions in a row, en route to 245 yards and 3
touchdowns.  Buchanan had 3 catches before his injury. Bryan
Echalas also had 3 grabs.  Ezra Knight, Daniel Liilii, and Jack
Oliveros also added to the aerial yardage.

�??I have no favorites,�?� said Naeole.  �??I�??ll get the ball to whoever
is open.�?�

The biggest play may have been the 43-yard field goal by kicker Mason
Puckett late in the 4th quarter.   His team showed him their
love by chanting �??Puckett �?? Puckett �?? Puckett�?� after the game.

Waianae drops into a tie with Aiea at 3-2 in the competitive OIA Red
West Division.