KAPA‘A — It took a mere 45 seconds to turn a competitive ballgame into a runaway victory for the Warriors as Kapa‘a (2-0) exploded for three touchdowns in less than a minute of second quarter action on the way to
KAPA‘A — It took a mere 45 seconds to turn a competitive ballgame into a runaway victory for the Warriors as Kapa‘a (2-0) exploded for three touchdowns in less than a minute of second quarter action on the way to a 38-12 win over Lethbridge Collegiate Institute Friday night at the New Kapa‘a Town Park.
The only Friday night action the KIF will see this season on Kaua‘i had plenty of fireworks, right from the opening whistle.
Running back Darren Taylor got the evening started with a 95-yard touchdown return on the opening kickoff. Taylor gathered the kick, found his wedge in the middle of the field, then outran everyone to the left sideline en route to the end zone. The Warriors had a 7-0 lead just 18 seconds into the game.
The Lethbridge Rams, a visiting squad from Alberta, Canada, responded with a 66-yard drive on their first possession, finding the end zone on a 15-yard pitch and catch from Colton Garner to receiver Clay Gibb. The extra point was no good, putting the score at 7-6 with 8:48 to play in the first quarter.
Kapa‘a turned it over twice on its next two possessions, fumbling on the first and muffing a punt on the second, but regrouped with an 83-yard drive, capped off by a 17-yard pass from Brentten Rapozo to wide receiver Marshall Adkisson, who outleapt two defenders on a fade pattern to the back right pylon. The PAT by Max Goode made it 14-6 with 10.7 seconds to play in the first.
Adkisson made three grabs on the drive, picking up 34 yards.
The two teams traded jabs throughout the second quarter, neither able to finish off drives.
Rapozo continued to find receivers, especially when Kapa‘a chose to move the pocket. The Warriors utilized screen passes and sideline patterns, typically allowing Rapozo to roll right and make decisions.
Taylor added to his big half and made it a two-possession game when he rumbled for a 22-yard score off a draw play up the middle. The running back took the delayed handoff, spun free of a defender’s grasp and took off down the left sideline.
The extra point made it 21-6 with 1:23 to play in the second quarter.
That was the beginning of the decisive 45 seconds, as the Warriors defense got on the board soon thereafter.
A 2nd-and-10 run play went wrong for Lethbridge, as the quarterback was hit from behind as he attempted to hand off to his running back. The two offensive players then slammed into each other, jarring the ball loose.
The low bouncer was scooped up by junior defensive lineman Jakey Alves, who had nothing but daylight ahead as he went 44 yards untouched for the touchdown. The momentum significantly favored the Warriors, who led 28-6 with 55.4 seconds left in the opening half.
Unsatisfied with that margin, Kapa‘a forced a fumble on the ensuing kickoff and recovered at the Lethbridge 26-yard line.
On first down, Rapozo took off behind great blocking from the left side of his line and outmaneuvered the secondary to find the end zone.
The Goode extra point upped the lead to 35-6 with 38 seconds left in the second. Just 45 seconds saw three different Kapa‘a players cross the goal line for 21 points.
Goode added a third-quarter field goal to take a 38-6 lead before Lethbridge got back in the end zone midway through the fourth quarter on a three-yard touchdown run.
Kapa‘a running back Chaz Dabin saw his share of action and busted through the line for some big gains in the first half. Dabin and Bronson Aiwohi each showed a good burst out of the backfield, along with Taylor’s efforts.
Dabin and Zavier Cummings were each targets of Rapozo, along with the big frame of Adkisson.
Rapozo started the game mostly under center, then moving to the shotgun for the majority of the second quarter.
The Waimea Menehune (0-1) will host their second preseason contest as Hilo heads to Hanapepe Stadium tonight at 7 p.m. The Kaua‘i Red Raiders (1-0) are on the road to take on Honoka‘a, also at 7 p.m. tonight.
Kapa‘a will have the week off before the KIF opener on Sept. 4 against Kaua‘i at the New Kapa‘a Town Park.
The Warriors junior varsity also moved to 2-0 with a 39-6 victory in Friday night’s opening contest.
Kapa‘a JV, coming off a 45-14 win over Kalani last week at Kaiser High School, took an early lead and ran away from the Rams in the second half.
A full JV game report and photos will appear in Sunday’s edition of The Garden Island.
