MIL Football: Lahainaluna 37 v. Maui High 7: September 20, 2013

Lahainaluna earned a 37-7 win over upstart Maui High. The game was marked by rain for most of the first half, during which the Lunas raced out to a 23-0 lead thanks to a safety from a high snap on a punt, and touchdown runs by Jared Rocha, Makoa Filikitonga and Christian Whitehead. The Lunas scored early in the 3rd (Rocha TD #2) to take a 30-0 lead. After Maui High scored, the Lunas answered right back with another Rocha's 3rd TD run to make it 37-7.

The Lunas finish the first round with a 4-0 record heading into the bye week and County Fair weekend.

This last picture I took of #42 Jared Purdy, #47 Nathaniel Nunuha-Hapakuka and #68 JT Valmoja-Kaleikini is bittersweet. I was able to get the three of them (missing Manu Lono) together for a shot for the first time . . . when I first started shooting Lahainaluna football, these guys were freshmen boarders playing on the JV. Their families soon became some of my biggest and most appreciative supporters. Now they're seniors . . .

The bitter part of this picture? It was the last one taken with my beloved Nikon D7000 . . . not sure if it was all the rain and water getting into my camera or the 254,100 shutter actuations but the shutter locked right after this picture was taken. The D7000 literally died after this shot. Bittersweet indeed but I'm glad it was able to get this particular shot. R.I.P.

Notable Stats:

• Lunas garnered 435 yards in total offense (410 on the ground) to Maui High's 120 yards;
• Lunas lowered their turnovers to 2, with 1 fumble lost (2 fumbles) and one really meaningless interception thrown by Kawika Kinimaka in the fourth quarter in garbage time, on a fourth down play.
• Lunas were called for 7 penalties, but only cost them 31 yards. Sabers had only 2 penalties called on them, for 30 yards.
• Lahainaluna had 3 100 yard rushers:  Jared Rocha-Islas (9 carries, 170 yards, 3 TD runs of 30, 35 and 32 yards); Sione Filikitonga (8 carries 115 yards, 1 TD of 53 yards); Christian Whitehead (12 carries, 112 yards, 1 TD from 30 yards out)
• This was the 6th straight game that Filikitonga had a TD run of longer than 23 yards.
• Nine different Lunas carried the ball in this game.

For more photos, click here.