OIA Red West FOOTBALL: Waipahu holds off Kapolei, 28-21

By Wes Nakama
HHSAA

WAIPAHU -- In its first O'ahu Interscholastic Association game since returning to the Red Conference, Waipahu served notice as a contender Saturday night with a dramatic 28-21 victory over Kapolei at Masa Yonamine Stadium.

The Marauders, who won the OIA White championship last season, improved to 1-2 overall while the Hurricanes fell to 2-1 in the Red West opener for both times.

Waipahu jumped out to a 28-7 lead after Jordan Mendiola's dazzling 60-yard punt return back to the house four minutes before halftime, but Kapolei struck back quickly with Jacob Kukahiko dashing 64 yards to paydirt and Arielle Stoyanow's extra point made it 28-14 with 3:18 remaining before intermission.

The Hurricanes later cut it to 28-21 with 1:42 left in the game after Aizon Kahana connected with Kaeo Kahana on a 30-yard touchdown pass.

The Marauders recovered the ensuing onside kick but fumbled the ball after a short return, though Waipahu's Joseph Kahele Ayau recovered it and they were able to run out the remaining time.

Isaiah Alama put the Marauders on the board first with a 7-yard run midway through the first quarter, and Matapua Tulafale later scored on a 2-yard run with Jayson Gonzalves' PAT making it 14-0 with 1:31 still remaining in the first quarter.

Kapolei cut it to 14-7 after Kahana's 10-yard TD pass to Alton Julius three minutes into the second quarter, but Waipahu answered with a 4-yard touchdown pass from Kaimi Paredes to Dylan Pakau and then Mendiola's punt return.

Pakau finished with 130 yards on four catches, all in the first half.


KAPOLEI (2-1) 0 14 0 7 -- 21
WAIPAHU (1-2) 14 14 0 0 -- 28

Wai -- Isaiah Alama 7 run (Jayson Gonzalves kick)
Wai -- Matapua Tulafale 2 run (Gonzalves kick)
Kap -- Alton Julius 10 pass from Aizon Kahana (Arielle Stoyanow kick)
Wai -- Dylan Pakau 4 pass from Kaimi Paredes (Gonzalves kick)
Wai -- Jordan Mendiola 60 punt return (Gonzalves kick)
Kap -- Jacob Kukahiko 64 run (Stoyanow kick)
Kap -- Kaeo Kanoa 30 pass from Kahana (Stoyanow kick)

RUSHING -- Kapolei: Mitchell Moses 3-12, Kukahiko 16-93, Mana Reis 6-17, Kanoa 2-10, Dylan Keomaka 2-1, Kahana 14-(minus-29). Waipahu: Kai Mercardo-Aiona 6-6, Alama 5-46, Tulafale 14-35, Paredes 10-39.

PASSING -- Kapolei: Kahana 8-13-1--160, Julius 0-1-0--0. Waipahu: Paredes 3-8-1--64, Mercardo-Aiona 2-2-0--67.

RECEIVING -- Kapolei: Reis 1-33, Kanoa 4-56, Julius 1-10, Kaimana Bunker 1-8, Moses 1-53. Waipahu: Pakau 4-130, Mataio Fualema 1-1.