LIHU‘E — The Warriors’ Boogie Yam peeled off two touchdowns and threw for one to lead the Division 1 Kaua‘i Youth Football team to a 36-21 win over the Lihu‘e Bulldogs, Sunday at the Vidinha Stadium.
Following a defensive slugfest in the opening period, the two teams combined for six touchdowns in the second quarter, including two from Lihu‘e Bulldogs’ Jhustin Balisacan.
Boogie Yam opened the explosive period with less than 30 seconds into the quarter when found the opening on the rightside and peeled off 73 yards to paydirt at the 9:37 mark.
But the Bulldogs answered on the ensuing drive, Balisacan capping the 49-yard drive on a 24-yard touchdown at the 6:35 mark, Damien Butac salvaging a point-after kick by running left for the two-point Point After Touchdown, that play putting the Bulldogs up, 8-6.
The fireworks were just starting as Boogie Yam, returning the kickoff to the Warrior 48-yard line, took the ball on the following play from scrimmage and peeled off 58 yards for the Warriors’ second TD and the 12-8 Warrior bulge with 6:06 showing in the half.
Balisacan, playing deep on the kickoff, tucked in the pigskin and answered with an 80-yard score at the 5:49 mark for the 14-12 Bulldog go-ahead.
At that point, the Warriors tired of the see-saw and Junard Mata made his mark, returning the kickoff 60 yards for touchdown with 5:37 remaining in the first half.
The Warriors added to the scoreboard when Mosese Fifita plucked a Bulldog pass and tapped paydirt following a 56-yard runback at the 5:11 mark for the 24-14 halftime lead.
Bryson Poai, playing second quarterback to Boogie Yam, picked up the sole third quarter score, plucking another Bulldog pass at the 3:51 mark and lumbering the pigskin 84 yards to the end zone for the 30-14 Warrior read.
But the Bulldogs refused to go down, Balisacan getting in on the defensive side for a pass interception and a 75-yard runback to open the final period scoring.
Butac’s point-after boot following Balisacan’s defensive score saw the Bulldogs chasing 30-21.
The Warriors responded to that score when Boogie Yam found Mata on a 60-yard aerial hit to put the game away, 36-21 at the 6:30 mark.
Brad Hiranaka, president of the Kaua‘i Youth Football league, said the next game will feature the same two teams playing on Oct. 1 at the New Kapa‘a Town Park stadium starting at 9 a.m.
The following week, Oct. 8 and 9, the KYF will play host to the PYA Spartans when the Bulldogs take on the visitors at 9 a.m., Oct. 8 and the Warriors play the visitors at 10 a.m., Oct. 9.
Visit www.kauaiyouthfootball.com for more information.
