KAPA‘A – Neither team gave an inch until Kaua‘i High was able to take advantage of the field position battle and put together a late scoring drive, topping Kapa‘a 13-7 in Saturday night’s KIF season opener at the New Kapa‘a
KAPA‘A – Neither team gave an inch until Kaua‘i High was able to take advantage of the field position battle and put together a late scoring drive, topping Kapa‘a 13-7 in Saturday night’s KIF season opener at the New Kapa‘a Town Park.
The Red Raiders did what they’ve become accustomed to doing, winning conference games, though this one was different than anything Kaua‘i faced in 2009.
Tied at 7-7 late in the game, Kaua‘i took over on the Kapa‘a 34-yard line. Quarterback Shea Shimabukuro hit wide receiver Darren Acoba with an 8-yard strike, followed up by a questionable personal foul against Kapa‘a for a late hit.
That extra yardage pushed Kaua‘i up to the 13-yard line. Kele Hanohano pounded out a 4-yard run, followed up by the game-winner from Shimabukuro. The quarterback faked the handoff to Hanohano, tucked the ball and took off to his left, finding his way to paydirt.
The missed extra point made it a 13-7 game with 4:18 to play.
Hanohano, as he displayed in the preseason, was up to the task of playing the role of workhorse. He finished the night with 23 carries for 93 yards.
Kapa‘a which scored 93 points in its two preseason matchups, had much more trouble getting offense going against Kaua‘i, though the Warriors did strike first with the season’s inaugural touchdown.
After a Jacob Rapozo interception late in the first quarter, his second of the game, Kapa‘a took over at the Kaua‘i 13-yard line.
Running back Waika Alapai got the call on three straight running plays, setting up a 1st and Goal at the 3-yard line.
The Warriors scored on the ensuing play when quarterback Brentten Rapozo found a wide open Peter Paul Ruiz in the end zone after Kaua‘i bit on the play-action fake.
The extra point gave Kapa‘a a 7-0 lead at the 1:36 mark of the opening quarter.
Kaua‘i squared the contest shortly before halftime, putting together a 12-play, 42-yard drive. Hanohano carried on seven of those plays, totaling 31 yards and capping the possession with a score from four yards out, tying the game at 7-7 with 2:26 left in the second quarter.
The Warriors were plagued by costly penalties and untimely miscues throughout the night. The most detrimental mistake was a fumble at the Kaua‘i 2-yard line as the home held a 7-0 lead.
Kapa‘a’s Earl Thronas Jr. had recovered a Shimabukuro fumble to give Kapa‘a the ball at Kaua‘i’s 23. Six plays later, Kapa‘a had 2nd and Goal two yards from taking a two touchdown advantage, but Rapozo lost possession on the exchange and Kaua‘i dodged one of many bullets on the night.
Both teams went the conservative route in the first half, content to play field position and wait for opportunities. Kaua‘i showed less of the Run & Shoot than it typically displays, opting to let Hanohano pound away for chunks of yardage through the tackles.
Kapa‘a went to the air more often early in the game, but was often safe in its attempts. The Warriors constantly employed the wide receiver screen, though the Raiders seemed to have it covered more often than not.
Wide receiver Marshall Adkisson, one of the biggest targets in the KIF, caught four Kapa‘a passes but only managed nine yards, getting hit in the backfield on two receiver screens.
Alapai was ferocious out of the backfield for the Warriors. He ended the night with 13 carries for 68 yards and was usually dragged to the turf by more than one Kaua‘i defender.
Shimabukuro used his legs effectively, carrying 11 times for 85 yards. He was 8 for 21 passing, totaling 72 yards and tossing three interceptions.
Each team punted often, but successfully. Adkisson for Kapa‘a and Hanohano for Kaua‘i kept the opposing offenses pinned for much of the night.
Kapa‘a won the turnover battle, 5-1, though one interception was an inconsequential pick just before halftime. Kaua‘i gave Kapa‘a a number of chances to take command of the ballgame, but its defense was up to the challenge and continued to return the ball to its offense.
The Raiders (3-0, 1-0) will have the week off as the Warriors (2-1, 0-1) hit the road to take on the Waimea Menehune (1-1), Saturday night at Hanapepe Stadium.
