KEALAKEHE — Maui football flew to the Big Island on Thursday evening for a non-conference matchup against Kealakehe. In a game filled with turnovers and minor injuries, the Sabers left the Waverider Stadium with a 39-7 win — their second of 2024.
After Maui scored the opening touchdown of the evening during the midway point of the first quarter, the Sabers’ Zion Sanders picked off ‘Riders quarterback Lawai‘a Nahakuela — setting up a 60-yard bomb from Maui quarterback Cejen Ceniza to star receiver Charlie Peterson on the ensuing drive to go up two scores.
Kealakehe scored its only points of the night on the next drive, when Kea Kaawa-Nolan ran it into the house from 30 yards out. Stopping the Sabers on their next offensive possession, the ‘Riders were marching downfield on their next drive to attempt to even the score before Maui forced a fumble. However, on the Sabers’ first play of their drive, Kealakehe defensive back Kainalu Macabio picked off Ceniza to give the home team the ball back.
The ‘Riders additionally forced a fumble a few minutes later in the second quarter, as linebacker Isaac Baker-Silba recovered the loose ball. But during Kealakehe’s next drive, Maui’s Hayden Garcia forced another ‘Riders fumble.
In the final minute of the first half, Sabers linebacker Payden Nakihei grabbed an interception to set up another Ceniza-to-Peterson touchdown pass from 30 yards out. Maui went into the half leading 21-7.
The closing half was all Sabers, as the visiting team opened the third quarter with a Siosiua Filikitonga pick six to go up three touchdowns. Peterson also hauled in two more touchdown catches to tally four for the evening. Maiu’s Jonathan McDonnell sealed the last interception of the night in the final five minutes.
The Sabers (2-2) will return home to face Baldwin at 7 p.m. Friday on Maui. Kealakehe (0-5) is still in search of its first win of 2024. The ‘Riders will next embark on a three-week road trip, starting with a rematch against Waiakea on Sept. 28 in Hilo. When the two schools last matched up on Aug. 23, the Warriors won 7-0.
HPA 48, Pahoa 6
Hawaii Preparatory Academy football wasted no time during its business trip to the eastern side of the island Thursday to face Pahoa at Kea‘au High School.
The visiting Ka Makani blasted the Daggers 48-6, spearheaded by All-BIIF running back Alakai Aipia with 20 carries for 210 yards and a touchdown. Aipia has had multiple 200-yard rushing games thus far in the first half of 2024. Teammate Skye Raymond also supported Aipia in the backfield, chipping in 25 yards.
Junior quarterback Hayden Kalama had one of his best outings of his BIIF career, completing 15 of his 25 attempts for 202 yards and five total touchdowns — four passing, one rushing. Receiver Christian Rhodes was Kalama’s top target of the evening, hauling in nine receptions for 138 yards and three touchdowns. Cam Root and Ikena Craven additionally combined for 76 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
HPA also looked strong in its special teams unit, as Gavin Rhodes returned a kickoff for 90 yards for another touchdown.
Defensively, Ka Makani looked sharp by allowing six points. Raymond, Rhodes and Kekaha Chong all grabbed interceptions.
Now as a winner of two straight, HPA’s (3-1) next test will come next weekend. Ka Makani will travel to Kapa‘au on Saturday afternoon to play the Cowboys at Kohala High School.
As of late Friday afternoon, HPA sits in second in BIIF Division II.
Pahoa is still winless on the year at 0-4 and near the bottom of the DII standings. The Daggers will have a week off before facing the Honoka‘a Dragons on Oct. 4 in Honoka‘a town.
See Tuesday’s paper to read up on the rest of this weekend’s football games.
