The last time the Lahainaluna football team had set foot on
the turf at War Memorial Stadium, they were on the short-end of the score in a
bitter, disappointing loss to eventual DII champion Kaiser High School in the
semifinals of the HHSAA Division II football playoffs. The then-#1 Lunas’
undefeated season and state championship aspirations came to an end on that
dark November night.
Eight long months later, and the #1 ranked Lunas look to
move forward with a new team, new leaders but the same goal of winning the
state championship. Their first game back at War Memorial was supposed to be on
August 8th against Keaau of the Big Island. But the dual threat of
Hurricanes Iselle and Julio caused that game to be cancelled. The Lunas
traveled to the Garden Isle for a preseason game at Kapa’a on August 16 and
escaped with an 18-16 win, thanks to a touchdown in the waning seconds from
senior star Sione Makoa Filikitonga.
With just that one preseason road game to iron out the kinks
on a team that graduated 21 seniors (including Kiko Kohler-Fonohema, Kaimana
Ancog, Christian Whitehead, Jared Purdy, Bronson Kaina, Nate Hapakuka-Nunuha,
Hercules Mata’afa, Loa Puteni, JT Valmoja-Kaleikini and Pousima Galoia), I was
curious to see what kind of a performance the Lunas would have on Friday night
against King Kekaulike to open up the MIL regular season. The Luna faithful
were not disappointed.
The Lunas rolled to a 47-7 win over King Kekaulike on a
sometimes-rainy night at War Memorial Stadium. The Lunas racked up 493 yards in
total offense, including 445 yards on the ground. The Lunas controlled
possession with 32 first downs.
Coach Tihada’s commitment to incorporating more passing into
the offense resulted in Sione Filikitonga going 7-13 for 48 yards and no
interceptions. He passed for one touchdown to Isaiah Biga-Rogers in the closing
seconds of the first half. Overall, he had difficulty connecting with his
receivers on the deep routes but was effective in the medium passing game. That
should improve over the course of the season. On a positive note, there were no
turnovers or sacks allowed.
Defensively, the Lunas allowed only 116 yards of total
offense, including 5 first downs and 34 yards rushing. The bulk of King
Kekaulike’s positive yards came on their only scoring drive in the second
quarter, when King K completed a pass on a fake punt to get the first down and
then a few plays later, Corry Brown made a great catch on a 36 yard reception
to get Na Alii to within a few yards of the goal line. Other than that, there
was a lot of east-west running for Na Alii, but difficulty getting around the
Lunas’ defense. King K’s Kawika Homalon was elusive in the pocket, avoiding
sacks and tackles for losses on numerous occasions. The loss of reigning MIL
Defensive Player of the Year Connor Mowat due to a knee injury in the first
series of the first quarter when a Na Alii player did an illegal chop block to
his knees and the loss to graduation of All-State defensive end Hercules
Mata’afa was noticeable as Homalon was able to escape sacks on numerous
occasions. Still, the relentless pressure from Peni Taufa, Brandon Kaina,
Jayven Paleka-Wright, Jared Rocha and Ken Brito allowed the Lunas’ to contain
Homalon and prevent any big yardage plays from scrimmage.
Sione Filikitonga led the Lunas with 127 yards rushing on 12
carries, including touchdown runs of 13 yards and 54 yards. The 54-yard run
extended Filikitonga’s streak of touchdown runs of 50 yards or more to 11
games. Unbelievable.
Jared Rocha appears to be all the way back from the broken
ankle he suffered in the Kaiser game with 76 yards on 10 carries. He also
scored touchdowns on runs of 1 and 3 yards.
If Jared Rocha is thunder with his power and strength, then
Ansen Cabanilla provided the lightning with 62 yards rushing on only 4 carries,
including an electrifying 37 yard touchdown in the third quarter.
David Kawabata showed flashes of brilliance with his power
running style reminiscent of another legendary Luna, Kawika Kawabata. He rushed
for 51 yards on 6 carries, including a couple that could have gone for more.
Unfortunately, he got tripped up by one of his own offensive lineman on one of
the runs.
Josten Saribay, a senior and standout wrestler who
transferred from King Kekaulike to the alma mater of his parents, had an
outstanding debut as a Luna. He provided the Lunas with a boost on special
teams, turning a couple of bounced punts into long punt returns giving the
Lunas excellent field position.
On special teams, Austin Wagner did an admirable job hitting
on his first 5 PAT’s before misfiring on the final 2 PAT attempts.
The O-Line dominated the trenches thanks to Danny
Sulunga-Kahaialii, Justin Hong, Brandon Kaina and Peni Taufa. Junior Moala,
Ryan Delatori, Ken Brito and Jabe Oliver stepped up in place of Connor Mowat.
Defensively, Kaina, Taufa, Paleka-Wright, Rocha and Brito were in the backfield
all night and Cabanilla, Biga-Rogers, Donavon Defang, Scotty
Medeiros-Tangatailoa and Kuu Palea did a great job in the defensive backfield.
Back-up quarterback Enele Scanlan, a sophomore, showed he is
capable, leading the team on a scoring drive in the 4th quarter,
capped off by a touchdown from Kaya
Phillips-Aki.
Next week , the Lunas face Division II opponent Kamehameha
Schools Maui, then Baldwin and Maui High. Unfortunately, it appears Kamehameha
Maui is not fielding a JV team this year. Bummers.
NOTE: For tonight’s game, I was mentoring Ariana Badua for
her senior project on sports photography. She has a natural eye for sports
photography and has a knack for very well-composed shots. Looking forward to
her work. . . . After last year’s craziness of rain, rain, rain, I was
prepared. Even though it was bright and sunny at 3pm, I still had the foresight
to pack an extra garbage bag and two rain sleeves for the game. Shooting
outdoors in the elements, one should always be prepared for anything.
Unfortunately, my brand new sneakers got dirty and I decided to keep my rain
jacket in the truck. But hey, at least my camera equipment was protected!
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