HANAPEPE — The KIF produced another heart-stopper in Hanapepe, this time with the Waimea Menehune ending up on top in a 24-21 victory over the Kapa‘a Warriors, Saturday night. Trailing 21-16, James Dupree had the defensive play of the night
HANAPEPE — The KIF produced another heart-stopper in Hanapepe, this time with the Waimea Menehune ending up on top in a 24-21 victory over the Kapa‘a Warriors, Saturday night.
Trailing 21-16, James Dupree had the defensive play of the night for Waimea, anticipating a screen pass and batting the ball up in the air, then making a diving catch for the interception with 7:40 to play in the game.
The Menehune embarked on a 12-play, 56-yard drive for the winning score as running back Alika Emayo plunged into the end zone on a 4th and Goal play from the 2-yard line with only 54 seconds on the clock.
Emayo was involved in five of Waimea’s six scoring plays in the game, carrying for one touchdown, throwing for one and passing for all three two-point conversions.
The victory got Waimea its first win of the 2010 KIF season, as the team now sits at 1-4 in conference, 2-5 overall.
The loss for Kapa‘a (5-3, 3-3) now clinches the conference championship for the Kaua‘i Red Raiders (6-1, 4-1), who take on the Menehune in this week’s season finale at Vidinha Stadium.
Waimea began the night on a high note, forcing a Kapa‘a punt on its first possession only to see the Warriors snap the ball over the punter’s head. The Menehune took over at the Warriors’ 24-yard line.
Waimea used five running plays to set up a 1st and Goal at the 2 and saw Bronson Fune dive in for the first touchdown of the night.
Lining up for the ensuing extra point, Emayo took the snap and lobbed a pass over the Kapa‘a special teams unit and into the arms of Devan Banashina-Kenney for the two-point score and an 8-0 lead with 5:59 to go in the first.
The Warriors looked to respond after Mark Hatchell picked off an Emayo pass and took it to the Waimea 46.
Waika Alapai got himself going to start what would prove to be a huge day for the sophomore running back, carrying for 16 yards and leading quarterback Brentten Rapozo on a 13-yard carry by delivering two big blocks. But the Warriors came up empty when they missed a 24-yard field goal wide right.
Each team then traded fumbles, with Kapa‘a muffing a punt that was recovered by Waimea’s Kyle Fleming, before Banasihan-Kenney lost one that was hopped on by Kapa‘a’s Kevin Cremer.
On the first play after the Cremer recovery, Alapai took a handoff to the left sideline and was surrounded by most of the Waimea defense. He broke two of their tackles and cut back to the right, where he saw open field ahead and took off for a 77-yard touchdown run. Many of the Warriors upfield were conscious not to deliver illegal and unnecessary blocks for Alapai. The touchdown made it an 8-7 game with 4:12 to play in the first half.
The Menehune fumbled again on a high snap in the shotgun and the Warriors’ John Das came up with the recovery at the Waimea 15. Yet Kapa‘a was held scoreless when a 28-yard field goal try was blocked.
Waimea committed another late turnover when Kainalu Akiona came up with a great interception, reaching out for the extended grab.
On their second play of the drive and with under a minute in the half, Kapa‘a set up a perfect screen pass to Alapai, who turned upfield and followed his blocking to the right sideline, where he took off for a 71-yard score and a 14-8 Kapa‘a lead at the break.
The Menehune came out to start the second half and put together an 11-play, 80-yard drive that was capped by a 22-yard touchdown pass from Emayo to Jonathon Tangalin.
Emayo then hit Vinda Carineo with a pass on the two-point play for a 16-14 lead.
Carineo was a big target throughout the night, moving into a new offensive role and grabbing four passes for 67 yards. He also came down with two two-point conversion receptions.
After a drive stalled in Waimea’s territory, Kapa‘a pooch punted perfectly, seeing the ball downed inside Waimea’s 1-yard line.
The Menehune went three and out and lined up to punt on 4th and 1, but Jae Delos Reyes tucked the snap to run for the first down, coming up short and giving the Warriors a great scoring opportunity.
On 1st and Goal at the 7, Alapai took the handoff to the right side and plowed in for the score. Kapa‘a gained a 21-16 lead with 1:31 to play in the third quarter.
Waimea’s game-winning drive began at its own 44 and included an 18-yard run from Delos Reyes, as well as a 16-yard pass from Delos Reyes to Fleming, setting up the 1st and Goal at the 4.
After Emayo’s score, Kapa‘a had one final opportunity after returning a short kickoff to their own 45, but three passes fell incomplete, sending the Waimea sideline and home crowd into boisterous cheers.
Emayo finished the night with 21 carries for 55 yards and two touchdowns. He also was 5 for 8 passing for 104 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions, as well as three passing two-point conversions.
Alapai concluded his season with another huge performance, carrying 17 times for 146 yards and two scores, plus the 71-yard touchdown reception.
Kapa‘a’s Brentten Rapozo was 6 for 19 for 113 yards, a touchdown and an interception. He also carried six times for 36 yards.
Darren Taylor grabbed three passes for 39 yards.
Carineo’s four grabs for 67 yards were Waimea team highs, while Clifton Callejo had two catches for 18 yards, both grabs coming on back-to-back passes from Delos Reyes in the second quarter.
Defensively, Waimea’s Carineo and Kanahele each recorded sacks, while Callejo, Derrin Peleras-Costa and Jake Corona all came up with tackles in the backfield.
Kaulana Kaui and Kekoa Alfiler each recored a sack for the Warriors, while Treston Brede and Weston Moniz had tackles for losses.
The Warriors’ season is complete, while Waimea will head to Lihu‘e for a 3 p.m. kickoff, Saturday in Kaua‘i’s homecoming game.
