LIHU‘E — In an edge-of-your-seat game Saturday at Vidinha Stadium the Kapa‘a High Warriors schooled the Kaua‘i High Raiders in how to make critical play adjustments and deliver a solid performance. The Warriors prevailed, 24-13. “We won the battle of
LIHU‘E — In an edge-of-your-seat game Saturday at Vidinha Stadium the Kapa‘a High Warriors schooled the Kaua‘i High Raiders in how to make critical play adjustments and deliver a solid performance.
The Warriors prevailed, 24-13.
“We won the battle of the turnovers,” Kapa‘a Coach Keli‘i Morgado said. “We won it last time, too, but we made too many mistakes. This time, it was better.”
It was an important game for both of teams, which now have identical season records of 2-1.
The first half, the Raiders dominated on time of possession, but the Warriors defense made strong plays and held them off from scoring touchdowns on both passing plays and short drives up the middle.
Showing what a versatile player he is, Raiders quarterback Shea Shimabukuro accounted for the first points of the game by completing a lofty field goal from the 25-yard line that had enough energy to keep on going well beyond the goal post.
The Warriors quickly answered with a touchdown pass when quarterback Brentten Rapozo gave the ball to John Das, who ran it into the corner of the end zone.
With only 41 seconds left in the first half, the Warriors scored again on their next possession, this time a field goal, bringing the half-time score to Warriors 10, Raiders 3.
It was the first time in a long time the Raiders trailed at half time. Their fans were still confident the team would make a strong comeback.
Raider Kele Hanohano delivered the longest score of the game, sprinting 77 yards down field after snatching a Shimabukuro pass during the second half of the third quarter.
The completed extra point knotted the score, 10-10.
The Raider defense, charged up from Hanohano’s big play, delivered a shoestring tackle at the Warrior 25.
On the next play, Kaimana Wilson of the Raider defense ran Rapozo, who couldn’t find his receiver, off the field and into the sidelines.
The Raiders immediately fumbled after the turnover, losing both the ball and some momentum.
The fumble left the Warriors with good field position at the 46 with 1:50 left in the third.
With first and 10, Waika Alapa‘i ran the ball to the 13-yard line.
On the next play, Rapozo passed complete to Darren Taylor, whose inside run after the catch moved the ball to the Raider seven.
Rapozo handed off to Alapa‘i for a touchdown run up the middle, the successful PAT kick making the score 17-10 with 26 seconds left in the third quarter.
Another setback for the Raiders happened with 9:18 remaining in the fourth quarter when Hanohano received an apparent leg injury after a pass reception and tackle.
“He was in my world-history class,” Morgado said. “When he got hurt, I had to go out and see how he was. I got hurt when I was a senior and I never got to play football again. Whenever a senior athlete gets hurt, I think about that.”
After five minutes down on the field, Hanohano was assisted off and taken to the hospital for examination. His condition was not known by press time.
During the final three minutes of the fourth quarter, the Warriors could have just tried to run out the clock, but chose instead to make plays.
At 1:48 Rapozo intercepted a pass at the 25 and ran it in for the final touchdown, bring the final score to 24-13.
Alapa‘i was named player of the game.
Kudos to the Raiders mascot, No. 77, who despite wearing a heavy black rooster costume on a scorching hot day, managed to dance the funky chicken the whole game through.
Both teams are now 2-1, as Kapa‘a prepares for their next game, against Waimea Oct. 2 at the Kapa‘a New Park football stadium.
“We need to do better, still. Waimea is a dangerous team,” said Morgado. “The season is just going to get better.”
• Vanessa Van Voorhis, business writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 251) or vvonvoorhis@thegardenisland.com.
