Biggest game of the year so far: undefeated Lahainaluna vs.
undefeated Maui High. Though it is just a first round game, and actually
meaningless since both teams clinched their respective divisions for the first
round already, it will serve as a measuring stick as far as how the two teams
stack up against each other. Maui High had a bye in the previous week, which
can only help them in terms of game-planning and preparing for the Lunas, who
already played 3 games this season. Lahainaluna is coming off a battle against
Baldwin. Thankfully, many of their key players were healthy for this game
against Maui High.
If you love offense, it was a brutal game to watch. If you
love defense, it was a great game for both teams. If you love football in general,
you probably came away with the appreciation of a good, hard-fought game that
was played all the way to the end.
Lahainaluna prevailed 14-0. The score was scoreless at the
half. Lahainaluna had opportunities, but could not capitalize on good field
position. Maui High’s offense had difficulties against Lahainaluna’s defense.
With the Lunas facing 4th and long, the Sabers
were penalized for having 12 men on the field. This is a 15-yard penalty which
gave the Lunas the first down. This enabled Lahainaluna to extend its offensive
drive. On a key 4th and 2 from the Sabers’ 5 yard line, the Lunas
went for it and David Kawabata got the 2 yards for the first down. On the
ensuing play, Kawabata bulled his way through to score on a 3 yard run with 51
seconds left in the third.
The Lunas’ defense continued to apply the pressure to Maui
High’s quarterback. On one scramble, the QB threw a shovel pass to avoid the
sack but it was picked off by linebacker Ryan Delatori, who sprinted for a 50
yard touchdown to make the score 14-0.
In this battle, the Lunas come out ahead. Their defense allowed
a season-low 5 first downs and only 23 rushing yards (47 total yards) from a
very potent Saber running attack.
The rematch will be October 25, 2014 at War Memorial
Stadium. Maui High will be celebrating its homecoming. Should be another memorable battle.
For more photos, click here.
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