MIL Football: Division II Champs! LAHAINALUNA 25, KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS MAUI 0 - October 15, 2011

Lahainaluna grinded out a 25-0 win against Division II rival Kamehameha Schools Maui to wrap up the MIL Division II title and guarantee their 5^th straight trip to the postseason.

The Lunas’ victory was costly. They lost starting quarterback Kiko Fonohema for the season when on the first series on offense, another high snap sailed over his head. As he ran back and fell on the ball, a defender’s knee came down and hit him in the face, breaking his jaw in 2 places.

It was a disappointing setback for the team and for Kiko. He had missed a game earlier in the month after being knocked out of the Baldwin game with a concussion. With the almost 3 week break before tonight’s game, the Lunas came out with some trickery on offense. On the very first play on offense, after recovering a fumble on the kickoff, Fonohema went in motion from his quarterback position and became a wideout. The snap went to JR Kenolio-Dusenberry but his pass to the opposite side wideout Kaena Felicilda was long. Unfortunately, by the 3^rd play, Fonohema was gone for the year. Looks like he will require surgery to reset his jaw. Best of luck to Kiko on a quick and full recovery.

 

With the long break, the Lunas were finally able to field a fairly full roster as many of their previously injured players were suited up, including senior standout John Mishima. Recovering from a broken foot, you could tell he still needs time to get into playing shape and his timing was not quite there yet in the defensive backfield. That’s okay – better to see him on the field in uniform than on the sideline on crutches. 

With Fonohema out, the Lunas turned to backup quarterback JR Kenolio-Dusenberry. Himself sporting a large cast on his left (non-throwing) forearm, JR did an admirable job guiding the offense. Unfortunately, with all the injuries and lack of depth, the offense has frankly never gotten into sync all season.

One bright spot on the offense has been freshman Jared Rocha. In addition to having a knack of making positive yardage on all of his carries, he definitely has a nose for the endzone. I’m not talking about cheap 1 yard runs. Tonight, he had a 10 yard and a 17 yard touchdown run.

Jared Rocha rumbles in from 10 yards out for a touchdown.

 As has been the theme all season long, the Lunas’ defense has been winning games for them. With the struggles on offense, the defense has consistently come up big in creating scoring opportunities for the offense.

 Their first touchdown was set up when BJ “Bullet” Pagdilao-Bala blocked a punt which was picked up and returned by lineman Feleti Taufa to the Kamehameha 17 yard line. On 4^th and 2, Rocha scored on a bruising 10 yard run.

 

Their second touchdown came just four plays later when the defense put a huge hit on Warrior quarterback Kalai Yap, causing a fumble which Kaena Felicilda scooped up and ran untouched for a 84 yard touchdown.

 

John Mishima, Kaena Felicilda and Tytus Lucas

Lahainaluna varsity cheerleaders clowning for the camera at halftime

#42 Jared Rocha follows the powerful lead blocks of #55 Feleti Taufa and #57 Sam Filiai

#7 JR Kenolio-Dusenberry unleashes a bomb

#50 Hercules Mataafa putting a stop on the Warriors' QB

JR Kenolio-Dusenberry rumbles in for an apparent touchdown. Unfortunately it was called back due to a penalty

The final touchdown was set up by an interception by Tytus Lucas, who returned it 30 yards to the Kamehameha 30 yard line. The Lunas drove to the 6 yard line, thanks to some nifty quarterbacking on the part of Kenolio-Dusenberry, and Pagdilao-Bala scored on a 6 yard run with under 3 mintues remaining.

Coach Garret Tihada is glad for the win and the Division II MIL championship,
but realizes the team still has a long way to go

Good job, Coaches!

For Maui News article on the game, click here.

For stats of the game, click here.

For my photos from the game, click here.

MIL JV Football: LAHAINALUNA 16, KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS MAUI 13 - October 15, 2011

Lahainaluna avenged an earlier defeat to the Kamehameha Schools Maui Warriors with a tough 16-13 win at War Memorial Stadium.

Although JV games usually start at 4:30pm, when I arrived at 4:00pm the game was already underway. By the time I got to the sideline, KSM had apparently already scored a touchdown - and from what I heard, the refs helped them with that one.

But the boys battled back, topped off by a great touchdown reception in the back of the end zone by Jared Purdy with a defender draped all over him. Although the refs blew it by not call pass interference, they at least got the call right - ruling that Jared had landed inbounds and thus, TOUCHDOWN!

Lunas #33 Ekolu Chang had a great game, making and assisting on many tackles

For more of my photos from the game, click here.

Lahainaluna Girls Volleyball - October 17, 2011

A disappointing season finally came to an end as the Lunas' girls volleyball team lost a tough, hotly contested and disputed 5 set match to Maui High at Maui High in the play-in game for the MIL tournament. After beating Maui High the week before for their long overdue first win of the season, the girls could not follow up with a victory in this one.

With the JV team winning the MIL championship just days before, and only losing two seniors Kulia Murray and Leilani Miranda, there is hope that they will be improved next season.

MIL Champs! Lahainaluna JV Lady Luna Volleyball Team - October 15, 2011

Congratulations to the Junior Varsity Lady Luna volleyball team for winning the MIL JV Championship. Great job by the players and coaches - hope this leads to success as they gradually make it to the varsity level.

The members of the team are as follows:

Lahainaluna Girls Volleyball - Senior Farewell October 13, 2011

Tonight's MIL girls volleyball match against Baldwin will be the final home game for two Lahainaluna seniors: KULIA MURRAY and LEILANI MIRANDA. Wish them a fond farewell and thanks for their years of dedication to the Lahainaluna girls volleyball program.

Unfortunately, I will not be able to shoot tonight's game because it is my wife Madelyn's birthday and I will be celebrating her special day with a nice sunset dinner somewhere in Lahaina.

Of course, nothing would be sweeter than to pull off an upset against Baldwin! So I hope many of the students and fans come out to support the Seniors and the rest of the girls tonight. I still remember their victory over Baldwin last season at Lahainaluna gym . . . that was a great match.

MIL Cross Country - at Maui High October 1, 2011

First day of fall break . . . SAT's . . . kinda small turnout for today's cross-country meet.

Corban Kaikkonen came in 3rd for the boys overall. Last week he was overall JV champ.

Corban Kaikkonen (3rd Place, 17:16)

Blake Ramelb (38th Place, 20:59.91)

Kenny Kaikkonen, (43rd Place, 21:21)

Erich Skrotski (56th Place, 22:41)

Branden Leopoldino (57th Place, 22:48)

Fernando Rodriguez (62nd, 23:09)

Billy Schusser (82nd Place, 25:57)

Sydney McKinney (13th Place, 23:25)

Kailey Sager (14th Place, 23:33)

Eryn Pendergast (52nd Place, 29:13)

Hot and humid conditions down at Maui High on a sprawling course took its toll on the runners. In the girls' race, a Seabury girl was just yards away from the finish when she tried to initiate a sprint to overtake a pack of girls. Suddenly, she reached for her right side and went down in a heap. Poor ting. The trainers had to carry her over the finish line, but not sure if that counts as an official finish.

This is probably my last shoot for Cross Country. Good luck to the team as they race in Hana next week, leading up to the MIL Championships.

For Maui News article on this meet, click here.

For more photos, click here.