A second-half surge propelled Kealakehe High’s football team to a 34-14 victory over Waiakea on Saturday.
Despite their starting quarterback getting injured, the Waveriders excelled on both sides of the ball late in the game to grasp their first win of the season.
The Warriors and Waveriders kept each other off of the scoreboard for most of the first quarter. During Kealakehe’s opening drive, Alek Rodriguez got a sack, then stripped the ball for a turnover during the next play.
The Waveriders were first on the scoreboard when Hercules Nahale carried in a three-yard touchdown with three minutes and 33 seconds left in the quarter.
The second quarter saw no more points on either side. There were some highlights for the Warriors — such as an interception by Dylan Nakamoto-Baltazar, a 30-yard pass from Nakamoto-Baltazar to Malosi Kaaihue and a fumble recovery by Haiden Kay.
Kealakehe starting quarterback Brennan Nishihara was injured seconds before halftime, which KHS entered with a 7-0 lead.
Waiakea received the kickoff at the start of the third quarter. After WHS’ offense made a slow push upfield, Nakamoto-Baltazar connected a 20-yard pass to Justin Ah Sing at the six-yard line. Nakamoto-Baltazar then rushed into the endzone for the Warriors’ first touchdown of the season. Gabriella Tuson completed the PAT kick to tie the score.
The Waveriders struggled during their first drive of the second half — which ended when Ah Sing intercepted a pass at the five-yard line.
Kealakehe’s defense quickly got its team’s momentum back going. Ernest Kanehailua intercepted a pass at the nine-yard line, then Nahale ran it in for a touchdown. Kainalu Macabio-Ebaniz’s kick was good, putting KHS back in the lead at 14-7.
Not long after the Warriors took possession, Carl Trinidad intercepted their pass attempt. However, the Waveriders couldn’t capitalize and were forced to punt. The punt put the Warriors on the one-yard line. Waiakea went three-and-out, and their punt was blocked and recovered by Thorton Brown just outside of the goal line.
Quarterback Evan Delany scored a touchdown on a dive, then the PAT kick was made — boosting Kealakehe’s lead to 21-7.
The momentum stayed on the Waveriders’ side. During the following kickoff, Waiakea’s returner fumbled at the 50-yard line, and KHS’ Kapono Mitchell recovered it just before the fourth quarter began.
Waiakea stopped the Waveriders on fourth down in the redzone, but Kealakehe’s defense was once again there to save the day — as Lawai‘a Nahakuela intercepted a pass and ran it 15 yards into the endzone. After the kick, KSH led 28-7.
The Warriors put up their second touchdown during the subsequent kickoff return, when Kaiwenalu Moniz returned the ball 85 yards into the endzone.
To everyone’s surprise, Kealakehe immediately returned the favor. When Waiakea kicked off, Trinidad returned it for a 90-yard touchdown. The kick went wide, topping out Kealakehe’s lead at 34-14.
Now 1-3 overall and 1-2 in BIIF DI, Kealakehe will return to the east side at 5 p.m. on Friday to face Hilo (1-1) at Wong Stadium.
Waiakea will have a bye week, then return to action Sept. 15, playing away against Hilo.