Menehune running game leaves Kona in the dust

HANAPEPE — The Menehune of Waimea High School piled up 224 yards on 49 carries in their 13-0 pre-season victory over the Wildcats of Konawaena High School.

Running backs Kylen Chinen and Oni Schmidt sparked the quick ground game that peeled off yardage against the Wildcat defense.

Both teams had slow starts, coming up scoreless in the first quarter.

Waimea’s starting quarterback Jayrald Watanabe was able to put the Menehune on the boards early in the second quarter on a quarterback keep.

The 5-8 senior came up with a four-yard carry for Waimea’s first touchdown, fumbling the ball as he broke the plane.

Kicker Cody Owens booted the extra point at the 10:57 mark.

With 41 seconds left in the first half, Waimea found themselves on the Kona six-yard line on the third down and three situation.

Running back Oni Schmidt crashed the middle to give the Menehune a first and goal on the two yard line.

Watanabe then connected with Schmidt for a two-yard pass touchdown with 19 seconds showing. Owens’ point-after boot sent sheets of water cascading from the crossbar on the failed attempt for the 13-0 margin at the half.

The second half saw Waimea give up two fumbles, each resulting with a Konawaena recovery, giving the Wildcats a chance to score.

Konawaena was third and one on the 20-yard line, when quarterback Thomas Deniz ran on the keep, but Waimea’s Allen Pancho dampened the Wildcats’ momentum.

Konawaena was able to make a few big plays in the final minutes of the game, but fell short. Time ran out just as Konawaena wide receiver Josh Rivera came up with a play putting them at midfield.

Waimea hosts Ft. McMurray of Canada in a single contest next Saturday starting at 7:30 p.m.