KAPA‘A — Waimea High School scored on its first two possessions and never looked back on Saturday night to defeat Kaua‘i High School 35-3 before several hundred people at a Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation football game played at Bryan J. Baptiste Sports Complex
The game was moved to Kapa‘a after the county reported a broken water line made the playing field at Vidinha Stadium unplayable. Fans anticipating a Red Raiders victory milked the opportunity for a night game that came a day following the start of the endangered birds fledgling season on Friday.
Waimea set the tone for a sweep by taking the junior varsity contest when JV Menehune signal caller Keona Tam kept the ball for two touchdowns in the first half.
Moving to the varsity field, the Menehune scored twice in the first quarter, added another score in the second before giving up a Kaua‘i field goal for a 20-3 lead at the break.
The Menehune added two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter for the 35-3 final.
Menehune QB Kameron Apilado scored two of the Waimea touchdowns, the first coming on a 52-yard run to the end zone, and the second capping the Menehune’s night on a 3-yard charge to pay dirt in the final quarter.
Other scorers included Xailen Niheu-Kamaka, who opened the scoring on an 8-yard score to cap Waimea’s 70-yard drive with 7:50 showing in the first quarter.
Following Kaua‘i’s field goal in the second quarter from the Waimea 6-yard line, Menehune Kaili Arakaki reaped a score on a 10-yard dash with 5:17 showing on the break to give Waimea a 20-3 bulge at the half.
Following a scoreless third quarter, Waimea’s Nohili Ragragola found pay dirt at the end of a 25-yard romp with 9:25 showing in the game.
Apillado’s game-sealer with 1:14 showing on the game clock was upped by a two-point conversion when Kyka Linoz passed to the far pocket for the 35-3 final read.
Despite the loss, Kaua‘i demonstrated its rushing ability with good performances from Noah Ibaan and Racen Pegeder. Raider signal caller Tyren Aona was victimized by the Big Blue D on more than one occasion, while trying to find an open receiver. Kaimana Kaui was the recipient of one of these aerials, and demonstrated his ability as a receiver alongside special teams kick returner.
Kaua‘i next hosts Kapa‘a High School on Saturday during its homecoming game that will play at Vidinha Stadium. The JV contest is scheduled to kick off at 1:30 p.m. followed by the varsity contest starting 30 minutes after the JV game.
