The Vincent Massey Collegiate Trojans were used to playing with 12 players back in their native Canada, but on Saturday night 11 players was enough as they capitalized on Kealakehe mistakes and started their Hawaii vacation with a 26-21 win at Waverider Stadium.
After struggling for most of the game, sophomore quarterback Anthony “Head” Trevino and slot Riggs Kurashige sparked the Kealakehe offense late, but the effort would not be enough for the Waveriders, who close the preseason with a 1-2 record.
Both offenses struggled to gain any footing early, Vincent Massey going three-and-out on three consecutive drives and Kealakehe not doing much better.
Midway through the first quarter the Trojans got a spark. Kealakehe quarterback Markus Degrate threw a backwards pass that defensive back Neel Visen scooped up and returned 48 yards for a score.
Then quarterback Andre Dueck caught fire.
After hitting Brayden Saville on a 28-yard touchdown pass, Dueck connected on five consecutive passes to end the half, including a quick 15-yard strike to Patryk Bujalski.
At the half, the yards were not far apart. Vincent Massey outgained Kealakehe just 120-108, but the Trojans capitalized their opportunities.
The first sign of life for Kealakehe was a fumble recovery by Randy Hatori with three minutes remaining in the third quarter. The Waveriders gave it back two plays later with a fumble of their own on a handoff.
The first big completion for Trevino — who entered the game at half — was a 50-yard bubble screen to Riggs Kurashige. However, Kealakehe would punt after two incompletions and a sack.
The offensive fireworks were far from over for the Waveriders though.
After a Bryton Lewi interception early in the fourth quarter, Trevino connected with Kurashige again, this time for 26-yard touchdown.
Vincent Massey wasted little time on their response, as Abdul Gassama returned the ensuing kickoff 80 yards for a score.
The quick strike would not slow down the Trevino-Kurashige connection though. On the first play after the kickoff, Trevino hit Kurashige on a 59 yard connection down the sideline and Trevino would punch it in on a 3-yard QB keeper a few plays later.
Vincent Massey would look to run some time off, but fumbled on a poor option play and Howard Cosare recovered to give Kealakehe the ball on the Trojans’ side of the field.
The Waveriders chipped away with short passes from Trevino and chunks of yardage from Akoni Demello. Trevino finished the drive with a 5-yard run to the corner of the end zone to make it a one score game.
Vincent Massey’s next drive started with renewed interest from the home crowd. The fans cheered “defense” as the Trojans faced a third and 10, but Trojan wide out Brayden Saville leaped up in double coverage to snag a 22-yard pass and keep the drive alive.
After burning a few timeouts, Vincent Massey faced another third a long but this time the Waveriders stood firm.
Kealakehe got the ball back inside its own 10 with just under two minutes left, but could not pick up a first down and gave the ball back to Vincent Massey.
Vincent Massey — 6 13 0 7 – 26
Kealakehe — 0 0 0 21
First quarter
VMC — Neel Visen 48-yard fumble return (kick missed)
Second quarter
VCM — Andre Dueck 28-yard pass to Brayden Saville (kick missed)
VCM — Andre Dueck 15-yard pass to
Fourth quarter
KEA — Anthony Trevino 26-yard pass to Riggs Kurashige (kick good)
VCM — Abdul Gassama 80-yard kick return (kick good)
KEA — Trevino 3-yard run (Trevino 2-point run)
KEA — Trevino 5-yard run (2 point no good)
