HANAPEPE — Waimea runningback Kenny Estes set the pace and the rest of the Menehune followed, as they tormented Kaua‘i with a 21-13 win last night. Costly mistakes at the beginning of the game (Failed fake punt attempt and a
HANAPEPE — Waimea runningback Kenny Estes set the pace and the rest of the Menehune followed, as they tormented Kaua‘i with a 21-13 win last night. Costly mistakes at the beginning of the game (Failed fake punt attempt and a fumble on a punt return) gave Waimea the early edge and the early lead at 7-0, thanks to an 18-yard jolt to the left by Kenny Estes, while brother Justin booted the PAT. Waimea shut down Kaua‘i quarterback Kekoa Crowell and his high powered offense from the start. In fact, the Red Raiders got their initial first down at the 8:45 mark in the second period. After a Kaua‘i fumble, a Justin Estes 32-yard field goal attempt sailed right. Crowell woke up from a dismal start with 22 and 25 yard passes to Kevin Cadiente and Jett Jasper at the end of the first half, which led to a 1-yard Crowell plunge. Frank Speetjens nailed the extra point to tie the game up at 7 a piece at the half.Crowell continued his red hot pace in the third, connecting to Jasper and Cadiente again, but Eric Oroc made a spectacular play to intercept the ball in the endzone to stop a Red Raider threat. Kenny Estes and Jon-Anthony Reyes carried the Menehune load at the end of the third to put Waimea deep in Kaua‘i territory. Menehune signal caller, Max Hadwin picked up a crucial first down and pushed his way into the endzone for a 1-yard TD, along with Justin Estes’ PAT for a Waimea 14-7 advantage. Then Kaua‘i stormed back with a 43-yard TD from Crowell to Cadiente, but Speetjens failed to put the PAT through the uprights, which proved to be fatal. Waimea’s Aina Emayo scored a TD to make the final score, 21-13.
