HANAPEPE — Waimea took to Hanapepe Stadium Friday night in a preseason matchup against the Waiakea Warriors of Hilo. Waimea tried to get as much going as they could offensively, however turnovers proved to be the difference in the game
HANAPEPE — Waimea took to Hanapepe Stadium Friday night in a preseason matchup against the Waiakea Warriors of Hilo.
Waimea tried to get as much going as they could offensively, however turnovers proved to be the difference in the game as Waiakea was able to capitalize on the six Waimea turnovers for a 26-14 Waiakea victory.
The Waimea Menehune got off to a strong start in the first half after quarterback Dennis Rull Jr. connected on two touchdown passes. The first being a 4-yard hookup with wide receiver Derek Callejo, and then connecting with Hazzard Mcdougall on a 20-yard touchdown pass, which gave the Menehune a 14-12 lead going into the second half.
With the lead in hand Waimea came out with a strong kickoff return by Destin Miguel, which was negated by a block in the back penalty pinning the Menehune inside their own 5-yard line. On the next play Rull fumbled and the ball was recovered by Waiakea linebacker Jaron Matsunaka.
With the ball on the Menehune 1-yard line, Waiakea running back Devin Preston returned the favor by fumbling the ball into the Waimea end zone, which Waimea recovered for the touchback.
Waimea immediately picked up two first downs, however the success was short-lived as running back Destin Miguel fumbled, which was recovered by Waiakea.
Waiakea quarterback Kayed Rodrigues proceeded to drive the Warriors down the field by connecting with wide receiver Dayton Kiko for a 30-yard gain and got the ball in the endzone with a 14-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Richard Kuntemeyer, giving the Warriors a 19-14 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
The Menehune had trouble keeping the ball out of the hands of wide receiver Dayton Kiko’s hands as he collected two touchdowns on the night, including a 68-yard interception return and a 9-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter from quarterback Kayed Rodrigues.
Any hopes of a fourth quarter comeback were dashed when Waiakea’s Preston went for a 32-yard touchdown run with roughly five minutes left on the clock giving the Warriors the 26-14 lead.
•Rick Killeen, sports writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 237) or sports@thegardenisland.com.
