KEAAU — The rain followed Kamehameha on its short trip to Keaau High, and the Warriors were once again limited on offense.
KEAAU — The rain followed Kamehameha on its short trip to Keaau High, and the Warriors were once again limited on offense.
But as long as the Warriors bring their defense they are never left high and dry.
Ethanjames Ramos’ 1-yard run Thursday night was Kamehameha’s first touchdown in seven quarters, and minutes later Ramos took a fumble recovery in for a score as the Warriors shut out Keaau High 19-0 in a matchup of BIIF football rivals.
Kamehameha (3-1 BIIF Division II, 5-1), which hasn’t allowed a touchdown in eight quarters and held turnover-prone Keaau to eight yards offense, won the Kipimana Cup for the sixth time in as many tries.
The Cougars (2-2 BIIF Division I, 2-2) got a strong effort from their defense, with three stands inside their own 10 in the first half, limiting Kamehameha to two field goals.
The rain subsided some in the second half, but ball-security was an adventure for Keaau, which lost four fumbles in the second half and six for the game.
Keaau never figured out the center-quarterback exchange, putting the ball on the ground 13 times.
Ramos’ first touchdown was set up when Brendan Figueroa recovered a fumble at the 1.
Even after falling behind by multiple scores, Keaau was content to try and run the football in slick conditions using a jumbo formation.
Kamehameha quarterback Kekona Naipo-Arsiga and Keaau signal-caller Caine Lunsford combined to attempt just four passes. The one completion, from Naipo-Arsiga to Israel Bowden, went for negative yardage.
Running backs Paniau Lindsey (13 carries, 110 yards) and Bryce Furuli (22-57) did most of the work for Kamehameha.
The Warriors, who were without starting quarterback Kaimi Like, have been held in check trying to move the ball the past three games, but who needs offense with the way the defense is playing?
Combined with a 3-0 loss to Kealakehe last week, the Warriors have allowed only 26 yards the past eight quarters and they are yielding 49 yards a game in the BIIF and less than a touchdown per contest in six games overall.
Kamehameha 3 3 13 0 — 19
Keaau 0 0 0 0 — 0
First quarter
KSH — FG Justin Kenoi 31, 0:32
Second quarter
KSH — FG Kenoi 28, 3:52
Third quarter
KSH — Ethanjames Ramos 1 run (run failed), 2:01
KSH — Ramos 17 fumble return (Kenoi kick), 0:57