Kaimuki rallies past Kalani for second straight win

Kaimuki's Billy Masima put up big rushing numbers for the second week in a row, churning out 183 yards on 19 carries in a win over Kalani. Greg Yamamoto | SL

Kaimuki (3-2, 3-3 overall) won its second straight game in comeback fashion, scoring 12 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to come away with a 30-20 victory over Kalani (3-3, 3-4) at Kaiser Stadium.

"How the boys responded (after being down heading into the fourth quarter) was testament to the change and the work that these guys have done this season," said Kaimuki head coach David Tautofi. "This game is a lot bigger than Kalani just being a good team, its a rivalry."

Running back Billy Masima didn't score a touchdown in the game, but the hard running junior was instrumental in both the game-winning and game-sealing drives in the fourth quarter. He carried the ball 5 times for 64 yards on a drive capped off by a one yard Keanu Pratt sneak that put the Bulldogs up 24-20, and then added two more carries for 35 yards on the ensuing drive that ended in a four yard plunge by Ivan Maio that clinched the win.

"He's built for moments like that," said Tautofi of Masima. "Its not going to be a secret anymore that he's going to be the guy we're going to call on."

The Bulldogs built an 18-6 advantage through two quarters of play, scoring once on a Jaren Feary one yard score that came off a naked bootleg, and added the other two scores off a pair of deep ball strikes thrown by Pratt to Andries Toussaint (41 yards) and Andrew Neves (53 yards).

"Billy getting that run game was really important," remarked Kaimuki WR Andrew Neves. "He set up the long balls, to get us that motivation that we needed."

Masima followed up his 20 carry, 131 yard performance a week ago against Pearl City with a 19 carry, 183 yard outing this week against the Falcons. He registered seven runs of 10 yards or more and broke off four of those for 20 yards or more.

Masima's fourth quarter heroics overshadowed a gritty performance by Kalani running back Sean Silas, who carried the ball 29 times for 192 yards and two scores in a losing effort.

Defensively, Kaimuki got a pair of interceptions from Sloan Fuller, and a game-ending sack by Masima, who also batted down at least 3 Kalani passing attempts on the night.

Kaimuki outgained Kalani 408 to 275, including a 174 to 38 edge in the passing department. The Bulldogs have come on as of late offensively, averaging 31 points per game over the last two games after scoring just six points in total over their first three.