Hawaii State | Archive | October, 2009

By Billy Hull
Honolulu Star Bulletin

It’s a good thing No. 8 Mililani played its final game at John Kauinana Stadium on Friday night.

The scoreboard probably needs a break.

A prolific offense and a struggling defense have made for some crazy games, and that trend continued for Mililani in the first round of the Oahu Interscholastic Association Red playoffs.

Trent McKinney threw four touchdown passes in the first half and Mililani scored 40-plus points for the second straight game in a 47-35 victory over Kaimuki.

A week earlier, Mililani (7-2) scored 41 points, but it wasn’t enough in a 54-41 loss to Waianae. In back-to-back games to close their home schedule, the Trojans have scored 88 points, but given up 89.

“These kids always make it interesting, but they always pull together,” Mililani coach Darnell Arceneaux said. “When it’s time to get down and dirty, these kids get down and dirty and the fans who buy a ticket get their money’s worth.”

Mililani’s success on offense has come with the maturation of McKinney, a dual-threat junior who can make plays with his arm and his feet.

He carved up the Bulldogs (2-7) for 174 yards in the air and another 96 on the ground, averaging 12 yards every time he tucked the ball away and ran.

Na Menehune are causing a stir after completing the regular season unbeaten

By Paul Honda
Honolulu Star Bulletin

It was one of the biggest crowds to see a prep football game this season.

At Moanalua, nearly 5,000 fans filed in to watch Na Menehune and Aiea battle for first place in the Oahu Interscholastic Association White Conference.

They — including each school’s band — saw Moanalua go unbeaten in regular-season play for the first time. Moanalua’s 31-14 win on Friday night wasn’t the only highlight.

The evening began with a remarkable finish to the junior varsity game, when an astounding 36-yard field goal by Nalea Trujillo with no time remaining gave Moanalua a 17-14 win. Trujillo, a 5-foot-3, 110-pound freshman, hadn’t made a field goal all season, but drilled the kick flawlessly with another 7 or 8 yards to spare.

“That was nerve-wracking,” she said of the final play, which began only after a Moanalua timeout and two more timeouts called by Aiea.

Maybe that gave the varsity squad a boost, but it probably works the other way around. Moanalua’s had a solid kicking game for years.

“I’ve had six straight years of great kickers,” coach Arnold Martinez said. “We had the Watanabes, Landon and Justin.”

By Paul Honda
Honolulu Star Bulletin

All the Kailua Surfriders needed was a break or two, especially with the wind at their backs.

Facing that tumultuous wind, Campbell fumbled the ball on two of its first three plays from scrimmage, leading to two quick touchdowns and a 21-0 football win by Kailua last night at the Surfriders’ gusty field.

Kailua (4-5, 3-4) advanced to the quarterfinal round of the Oahu Interscholastic Association Red Conference playoffs and will travel to Leilehua on Friday to face the Mules.

Campbell closed the season 3-6 overall (2-5 OIA Red) despite a staunch defensive effort that limited Kailua to 95 rushing yards on 40 carries. Offensively, the Sabers struggled with the wind and a tough Kailua defense. The Sabers tried to run early, but finished with only 30 rushing yards on 19 attempts.

“We were trying to control the ball as much as we can,” Campbell coach Amosa Amosa said. “It was just execution. Kailua came out ready and firing on all cylinders, and we couldn’t find out a way to get going.”

The Surfriders used Clinton Aina, the second-leading rusher in the OIA Red East, as a safety for most of the night. That gave them more speed to shadow Campbell’s playmaker, Samson Anguay, who finished with 21 rushing yards and four receptions for 34 yards. 

By Kim Baxter / Special to the Star-Bulletin

As the Punahou girls volleyball team plowed its way to an unbeaten regular season in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu, coach Jim Iams stuck with a consistent rotation.

Why change when it had worked so well as the Buffanblu cruised to a 27-match winning streak (including the preseason), the ILH regular-season crown and the top ranking in the state?

But in the ILH second-round final, a much-anticipated tilt against No. 2-ranked Kamehameha, Punahou was struggling. After powering its way to an easy first-set win, the Buffanblu got skittish, worrying about each and every mistake against the reigning four-time Division I state champions, who surged to a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five match.

That’s when Iams figured he had to get a little creative with his lineup. He replaced starting setter Malia Patterson, a senior, with junior backup Shannan McCready. He inserted little-used freshman Tayler Higgins at the opposite position for senior Ali Santi. He even removed outside hitter Tai Manu-Olevao for a few points to calm her down after some errant swings.

McCready gave the team a boost with some nice digs and perfect sets, Higgins (who conceded to being “pretty nervous”) played the rest of the match and Manu-Olevao settled down as Iams’ shuffle worked perfectly. Punahou came from behind to best Kamehameha and capture the ILH second-round championship 25-14, 15-25, 21-25, 25-16, 15-9 played on the Punahou campus. 

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Campbell can’t overlook Kailua’s Aina

By Paul Honda
Honolulu Star Bulletin
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When the aerial circus of Campbell descends on Kailua’s ground attack tonight, there will be at least one standout on the field who has scored 10 touchdowns.

And his name isn’t Samson Anguay.

Kailua running back Clinton Aina’s steady, consistent season looks downright spectacular from a numbers perspective. The Kailua-Campbell matchup is the lone Oahu Interscholastic Association playoff matchup tonight.

Here’s a look at today’s games.

Campbell at Kailua

Aina finished the regular season with 647 rushing yards (9.5 yards per carry) and 10 touchdowns. That ranks Aina second in yardage and first in touchdowns by a wide margin. An improving offense was a reason why the loss of stud linebacker Calen Friel to a midseason knee injury didn’t stop the Surfriders (3-5, 2-4 OIA Red East) from eking out a playoff berth.

Campbell’s run-and-shoot offense has been up and down; Mike Ulufale threw four touchdowns and five interceptions in league play. Anguay, who has committed to play for UH, ranks second in the Red West in receiving yardage and sixth in rushing, scoring six touchdowns.

As for styles, the Sabers (3-5, 2-4 OIA Red West) fared better against a good passing team, losing 29-26 to Leilehua, than a good rushing team like Waianae, which beat Campbell 27-0.

Other top rushers have racked up big numbers on Campbell. Farrington’s Harry Tuimaseve had 172 yards and Waipahu’s Victor Moananu had 147 yards. Yet, no running back has rushed for more than 100 yards against Campbell in the past three games.

Aina will see a lot of Tyson Tynanes-Perez, a linebacker who is also a wrestling champion. Tynanes-Perez racked up 16 tackles in the loss to Kapolei.

No. 4 Saint Louis vs. No. 10 Punahou, Aloha Stadium

This is essentially an elimination game for the two teams trailing Kamehameha in the ILH D-I standings. Saint Louis (6-2, 3-2) was riding atop the league until a 23-21 loss to Punahou four weeks ago. The Buffanblu (3-4, 3-2) turned to a run-heavy attack — 27 carries for 108 yards — in a drastic change from their usual pass-oriented approach.

Saint Louis has stuck with its run-and-shoot through thick and thin, gaining momentum with last week’s 28-0 win over ‘Iolani. Jeremy Higgins ranks second in the league in passing yardage (1,137 yards) and is tied for second in touchdown passes (11).

No. 7 ‘Iolani vs. Pac-Five, Aloha Stadium

The Wolfpack (5-3, 2-3) could shake up the ILH Division II race with a win over the Raiders. Quarterback P.J. Minaya leads the league with 1,352 yards and 12 touchdown passes, but receiver Everett Kim is done for the season after suffering a fractured jaw and grade-three concussion against Kamehameha last week. Kim, who ranks fourth in receiving yardage, had already been filling in for injured senior Darin Kamealoha. Minaya still has London Amorin (33 catches, 558 yards), the league’s leader in receiving yardage.

‘Iolani (7-2, 5-1) won the first meeting with Pac-Five 31-3 four weeks ago in a game that was 10-3 at the half. The Raiders offense was truly balanced that night with 25 pass attempts and 25 rushes.

Anuenue vs. Kalani, Kaiser Stadium

By Kyle Sakamoto
Honolulu Advertiser
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Nothing was going right early for the ‘Aiea girls volleyball team last night against Roosevelt.

Na Ali’i coach Blythe Yamamoto was forced to look down the bench and call on … Darryl Oshiro, the team’s sports psychologist.

What a luxury!

Yamamoto credited Oshiro for sparking ‘Aiea to a 17-25, 25-21, 15-10 victory over Roosevelt in the O’ahu Interscholastic Association Red Conference tournament at McKinley.

“Our sports psychologist turned it around for us — Darryl Oshiro,” Yamamoto said. “They weren’t responding to anything I was saying, so I told him talk to them between (the first and second) sets and he got them fired up and that was the difference.”

Roosevelt dominated early on, going on an 18-5 run to take a 21-8 advantage. Taylor Pupuhi had five kills for the Rough Riders during the surge.

Before the second set, Oshiro went to work. He got into the ‘Aiea players’ faces and got them fired up.

Yamamoto didn’t want to give away Oshiro’s words of wisdom. “I’m not giving away any secrets,” said.

In the second set, Na Ali’i scored 10 of the first 14 points. Roosevelt got as close as 23-21.

“They play steady, non-mistake kind of volleyball. That’s what brought them through,” said Roosevelt coach Rudy Sambrano.

‘Aiea’s Melelatu Samisoni, a 5-foot-9 senior, had five of her nine kills in the second set.

“We just decided to pick up our energy and play our hearts out,” she said.

In the third set, ‘Aiea went on an 8-2 run to take a 13-8 lead. Setter Kelly Leopoldo had a pair of dumps for kills during the surge.

‘Aiea’s Ashley Liilii and Taylor-Marie Fetui had a double block on match point.

Oshiro, who runs “Positive Focus,” gave all the credit to the players.

“The players are the ones who played,” he said. “They didn’t quit and came through at the end.”

‘Aiea improved to 14-1 overall and 2-1 in the double-elimination tournament. It will play Moanalua on Tuesday at McKinley at 5 p.m.

Roosevelt (5-11, 2-2) will play Mililani on Tuesday at Farrington for fifth place.

MOANALUA 2, MILILANI 0

Na Menehune coach Tommy Lake called a timeout in the first set against the Trojans with the score tied at 2-2.

He had a point to make and his team picked up on it in a 25-18, 25-16 victory.

“I just wanted to make sure they know how important the early part of the game is,” Lake said. “We’re a notoriously slow-starting team. I wanted to make sure the girls reset and start again.”

Gabriela Matautia had eight kills, and Carsen Mata added seven and also set for Moanalua (13-2, 2-1).

“I don’t really mind the work load,” said Mata, a 5-7 senior. “I love being on the court, leading and helping verbally.”

By Billy Hull and Paul Honda
Honolulu Star Bulletin
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Mililani eliminates Kaimuki

Things don’t come quite as easy this time of the year.

No. 8 Mililani shot out to a 28-point halftime lead before Kaimuki gave the crowd at John Kauinana Stadium some anxious moments. Not until Viliami Fonokalafi was stopped inches short on a fourth-down attempt with 5 minutes remaining could the Trojans feel comfortable in holding on for a 47-35 win last night to advance to the quarterfinals of the Oahu Interscholastic Association Red division playoffs.

Mililani (7-2, 5-2) will travel to the North Shore to face top-seeded Kahuku next week.

The Trojans carved up the Bulldogs defense in the first half to the tune of 34 points. Trent McKinney threw four touchdown passes, including three to junior Bryson Calma, as the Bulldogs (2-7, 2-5) had no answer for Mililani’s passing attack.

Kaimuki came out firing in the second half, as quarterback Eddie Char, who completed only two passes in the first half, had completions of 50 and 28 yards to set up his 8-yard touchdown run to pull to 34-14.

Chester Sua, who scored on an 86-yard kickoff return and finished with 123 yards on 14 carries, scored on an 11-yard run on the first play of the third quarter to make it a two-possession game.

Mililani answered as Nainoa Pihana, filling in for McKinney, who was knocked out of the game for two plays, scored on a 3-yard keeper to put Mililani back up 41-21.

Fonokalafi answered with a 1-yard touchdown run and the Bulldogs recovered the onside kick to give themselves a chance. Kaimuki drove into the red zone, but Fonokalafi was stopped inches short of the marker on fourth down at the 8.

Mililani’s Elijah Langafuaina intercepted a Char pass with 3 minutes left after the Bulldogs had forced a three and out.

McKinney finished with 270 all-purpose yards for the Trojans. Char was 11-for-33 for 214 yards and two touchdowns (one rushing) for Kaimuki.

The teams didn’t stop fighting until the end. Kris Ornellas returned an interception 25 yards for a touchdown with 1:04 remaining. But Char answered with a 19-yard pass to Chris Fiamate with 27 seconds left as the two teams combined for 82 points.

Word of Life 50, Damien 42

The Firebrands needed three overtimes to turn back the Monarchs and earn their first ILH win.

Word of Life was 0-for-12 in conference games since fielding a team for the first time last year.

—Billy Hull

 
Moanalua jumps on Aiea

A perfect senior-night celebration — a blue wave of pageantry — was the fitting end to a perfect regular season for Moanalua.

Na Menehune rolled over Aiea 31-14 before a capacity crowd at Moanalua’s field, closing the Oahu Interscholastic Association White Conference regular-season schedule with an 8-0 mark (8-1 overall).

“We’ve been working hard on the field, studying the video every day,” defensive lineman Chris Malakai-Park said. “We’re making history.”

Tahje Canyon was scintillating, rushing for 182 yards on only 16 carries. His 65-yard jaunt on the game’s second play from scrimmage set the tone. Moanalua rushed for 348 yards on 41 attempts without losing a fumble.

“It was just good blocking and I cut back. We’re trying to give the defense rest so they can do well,” Canyon said. “We help them out and they help us out.”

Nobody at Moanalua can remember an unbeaten regular season, and though Na Menehune finished first atop the OIA White, there’s nothing automatic about the postseason. Moanalua will need a win over fourth-place Kalaheo in Friday’s playoff to secure a state tournament berth. A loss would end Na Menehune’s season.

“We told them it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish,” coach Arnold Martinez said. “Aiea’s a great team. We’ve seen them make plays and come back before. Now we’ve got to win the next game against a tough Kalaheo team and take care of business.”

Freddy Taliulu was 22-for-32 with 227 passing yards for Aiea, which scored only one offensive touchdown.

Moanalua’s mix of I formation and double-wing spread was highly effective against an Aiea defense that missed defensive tackle Lawrence Lagafuaina, a 6-foot-1, 310-pound senior. Lagafuaina suffered an ankle sprain Monday.

“We didn’t go that hard. It was a lighter day,” Na Alii coach Wendell Say said. Besides Lagafuaina, at least four other starters sat out, mostly due to injuries.

“We still could’ve done the job. Moanalua didn’t show us anything we didn’t scout,” Say said. “We just didn’t stop them, but hopefully we’ll play them again.”

The front five of left tackle Frank Loyd (6-3, 253), left guard Pono Kalua (5-10, 250), center Jovenn Pacheco (5-8, 240), right guard Roger Soriano (5-8, 200) and right tackle Ryan Cortez (6-0, 200) paved the way for Canyon, quarterback Adam Francisco and a host of ballcarriers.

After Canyon’s touchdown gave Moanalua a 7-0 lead, Joel Talaro’s interception at the Menehune 1-yard line ended Aiea’s first scoring threat.

Moanalua went three and out, though, and Aiea took over at the Menehune 26-yard line after a short punt. Taliulu’s 8-yard touchdown pass to Bryson Gabriel in the flat tied the game at 7 with 2:34 remaining in the first quarter. Moanalua’s defense, led by lineman Rich Villasenor, tightened up and permitted only one more Aiea first down for the rest of the half.

Na Menehune attacked up the middle and on both flanks, driving 80 yards in nine plays for a go-ahead touchdown. Francisco faked to Canyon and sprinted up the middle for a 20-yard touchdown to give Moanalua a 14-7 lead with 10:48 left in the second quarter.

Moments later, Moanalua started a seven-play, 76-yard drive to paydirt. A face-mask penalty against Aiea helped, and Francisco’s 4-yard keeper on another fake to Canyon boosted the lead to 21-7 with 6:35 to go in the first half.

Aiea’s offense finished with 271 total yards, but most were between the 20s. A Taliulu pass to Williams at the Moanalua 19-yard line went bad when Williams lost the ball.

Moanalua then marched 70 yards in 10 plays, tossing the pigskin to Canyon for a 1-yard touchdown run. Na Menehune led 28-7 with 11:11 to play.

Matt Blakeley’s 26-yard field goal made it 31-7 with 5:18 left.

Aiea added a touchdown with 2:28 left when Douglas Tautua picked off a pass by Moanalua backup quarterback Keven Amaral and returned it 26 yards.

Moanalua’s only loss, 16-3 against Mililani, came in nonconference play.

Aiea won last year’s matchup with Moanalua 26-8.

Radford 35, Waialua 6

Doug Brown threw two touchdowns as the Rams defeated the Bulldogs.

Phil Hogan led Radford with 129 yards on the ground and Chris Parmer finished things with a 76-yard run. The Rams held the Bulldogs to 12 yards rushing and 99 yards passing.

Anuenue 61, Kalani 25

Ikaika Gante rushed for 185 yards, including a touchdown from 65 yards out to start the scoring, to help Na Koa over the Falcons.

Keliikoa Aki finished the scoring with three rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter and ended up with 155 yards on the ground as Na Koa outrushed the Falcons 469-146.

Kamehameha in states

By Paul Honda
Honolulu Star Bulletin

The promise of a slugfest turned into a technical knockout, and it was Kamehameha that was left standing.

The Warriors absorbed every shot from a resilient ‘Iolani squad, then took command in the final two sets for a 25-19, 21-25, 25-19, 25-13 victory last night at Kekuhaupi’o Gym. Second-ranked Kamehameha (16-2) will meet regular-season champion Punahou tomorrow at Hemmeter Fieldhouse in the final of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu single-elimination girls volleyball tournament. A win by Kamehameha would force a championship match on Tuesday against the Buffanblu.

Punahou won the regular-season matchup 25-22, 18-25, 25-21 on Oct. 1.

“As long as we communicate, we can definitely come back,” said Talia Jardin-Fermentez, who led Kamehameha with 15 kills (.467) last night.

For now, though, the Warriors can celebrate a hard-earned state-tournament berth after the win over ‘Iolani, which closed the year at 15-4. Setter Kelci Renshaw (42 assists) was the glue of a balanced Kamehameha attack, while Taylor Akana (17 digs) and sophomore Chelsey Keoho (13 digs) sealed an air-tight back row. 

State Preview: OIA Red playoffs kick off with Kaimuki at Mililani

By Paul Honda
Honolulu Star Bulletin
Oct. 16th, 2009
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While most of the state plays for at least a couple more weeks, two teams face elimination tonight.

The Oahu Interscholastic Association Red Conference football playoffs kick off with a single game. Kaimuki, a team that has emerged out of the Red East for the final playoff spot, gets a shot at former Red West front-runner Mililani. Here’s a look at today’s matchups:

Kaimuki at No. 8 Mililani

A few weeks ago, the Bulldogs were drifting outside the playoff clique while unbeaten Mililani was ranked second in the state. Things have changed quite a bit since.

The Bulldogs (2-6, 2-4) pulled out a 17-16 overtime win at Roosevelt in mid-September, setting course for an intriguing three-week run. Kaimuki was in striking distance of No. 1 Kahuku for a half before losing, then blanked McKinley and lost 20-17 to No. 3 Farrington.

Running back Chester Sua is a dual threat and quarterback Eddie Char spreads his passes around. He threw just one pick in 24 attempts against Farrington.

Mililani (6-2, 4-2) surrendered 41 points to Kapolei and 54 to Waianae in the last two games and lost its shot at a first-round bye after falling to fourth place in its division. First-year starter Trent McKinney had a 320-yard, four-touchdown passing game against Waianae and two-way starter Dalaunte “Taz” Stevenson pulled in eight passes for 125 yards.

Aiea at Moanalua

This showdown between the top two teams in the OIA White is about seeding since there’s no automatic state berth for the regular-season champion. Aiea (7-1, 6-1) has been rock solid defensively, winning four in a row since a stunning 16-14 loss at Pearl City in late August. Lawrence Lagafuaina (6-foot-1, 310) is one of the anchors for Na Alii.

Moanalua (7-1, 7-0) has a rushing attack that has been unstoppable in conference play. Tahje Canyon’s versatility on the ground and through the air is a focal point for opponents, but he racks up amazing numbers. Canyon had 279 rushing yards and four touchdowns in last week’s win over Kaiser.

Kaiser at Pearl City

The Cougars (3-5, 3-4 OIA White) and Chargers (3-5, 3-4) are playaing for pride, as their playoff hopes have been dashed.

Pearl City piled up 316 yards in last week’s overtime loss to Kalaheo. Cyrus Coen ran for 106 yards and two touchdowns.

Back-to-back home losses to Radford and Moanalua cost the Cougars in their playoff push. Josh Gonda rushed for 147 yards and two touchdowns in last week’s game against Moanalua.

Waialua at Radford

The Rams (5-3, 5-2 OIA White) have momentum, winning two in a row since a loss to Aiea. Phil Hogan ran for 147 yards on just eight carries in a win over Kalani last week, scoring all four of his touchdowns in the first quarter.

Waialua (2-6, 2-5) didn’t win a game at home this season and is out of the playoff hunt. With little more than pride at stake — Radford has a playoff berth sealed — this could be an upset in the making.

Damien vs. Word of Life, Kunuiakea Stadium

In their Sept. 18 meeting, Monarchs quarterback Makana Ka’anoi passed for 227 yards and scrambled for another 67, including scoring runs of 62 and 18 yards. Damien (1-6, 1-4 ILH) won that game 37-18.

Word of Life running back Poggi Awa ranks second in the ILH with 490 rushing yards (98 per game). Richard Landford, Ryan Alvarado and T.J. Russell also rank among the league’s top 10 rushers for the Firebrands (0-6, 0-5).

Maui vs. Baldwin, War Memorial Stadium

Maui’s early-season renaissance was clipped by a tough schedule — MIL teams are almost even across the board this fall — but the Sabers (2-5, 1-4) will have no problem getting motivated to play their cross-town rivals.

Brock Shishido leads the MIL with 737 passing yards and nine scoring tosses with just two picks. The Bears (3-2, 3-1) and King Kekaulike (4-1 league) are atop the MIL’s D-I standings.

Kapaa at Waimea

The Warriors (2-2, 1-1 KIF) edged Waimea (0-6, 0-4) in their first meeting three weeks ago, 7-6, at Kapaa. Both teams are chasing unbeaten Kauai.

Waiakea at Honokaa

The Warriors’ (4-3, 2-3 BIIF) second-round title hopes suffered a bit after a loss to Keaau last week, and now first-round champ Honokaa awaits. The Dragons (5-3, 5-1) won the first-round matchup 21-15.

Keaau at Kealakehe

The Cougars (2-4, 2-3 BIIF) have turned their fortunes around after an 0-4 start. Kealakehe (3-3, 3-1) has a Big Island football dynasty that is under pressure.