Radford tramples Kalaheo, 44-7

Radford's Blaise Manabe runs past a Kalaheo defender. Manabe scored a touchdown on the ground and added 2 receptions for 22 yards in a win over the Mustangs. CJ Caraang | SL

AIEA—Behind a strong running attack and an aggressive defense, Radford trampled Kalaheo, 44-7 on their homecoming night at Aiea High School to improve to 7-0 overall, 6-0 in the Oahu Interscholastic Association Division II standings. Kalaheo dropped to 2-4 in the OIA, 2-5 overall.

The Rams, ranked second in the Hawaiian Electric/ScoringLive Division II Power Rankings, will play third-ranked Nanakuli (6-0 OIA, 6-1 overall) at Waianae's Raymond Torii Field in a pivotal Division II matchup in a battle of unbeaten teams.

"We're going to enjoy this win tonight since it's homecoming. We're going to get back to work as coaches starting tomorrow and the players on Monday. Keala Watson does a great job with his players and turning and changing that culture," said Radford coach Fred Salanoa.

Ace Faumui led the Rams' running attack with 168 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries. He also ran it in for a 2-point conversion and his longest run was 62 yards. Kodi Ongory-Mathias added 70 yards on 11 carries and a touchdown Radford had 283 net rushing yards and averaged 7.9 yards per carry.

"We had to come out and run hard. I couldn't do it without my o-line and the holes were open and it was amazing," said Faumui.

"I think that's what is very important. When certain guys aren't doing the job or making it happen, we can fall on other peoples' shoulders and tonight the o-line did a good job blocking. Everybody has a role on this team and we have to be unselfish," said Salanoa.

Ongory-Mathias scored the first touchdown of the game and Faumui added another rushing touchdowns and a 2-point conversion to give the Rams an early 14-0 lead.

The Mustangs drove all the way to the Radford 10-yard line, but Dillon Sunday grabbed the fumble and rumbled his way 80 yards for the score.

The Rams defense made life miserable for Kalaheo quarterback Mark Lehrner sacking him four times and picking him off twice. Aaron Faumui sacked Lehrner in the end zone for a safety Radford held Kalaheo to negative 25 net rushing yards for the game.

"I'm a true believer that defense wins championships and my philosophy has been that way," said Salanoa.

Ace Faumui scored his second touchdown of the game from 11 yards out to make it 30-0 with over 2 minutes remaining.

Lehrner fired an 88-yard strike to Nathan Hernandez with 31 seconds before the half for the Mustangs' only score of the game. Hernandez had a game-high 96 receiving yards.

In the second half, Blaise Manabe scored on a 1-yard touchdown and the Rams used some trickery as Quintin Iriarte lateraled it to Manabe, who threw a 32-yard pass to Thomas Reid. Iriarte found Reid for a 10-yard touchdown to make it 44-7 and initiated running clock.

The Rams were flagged 11 times for 140 yards for the game.

"As long as our players are playing hard. Effort penalties, I can live with it, foolish and stupid penalties, I'm not okay with that so I took my notes and I will address it when we get back on Monday," said Salanoa.

Kalaheo will host Kaimuki (4-2 OIA, 4-3 overall) at Kailua's Alex Kane Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 3.

Reach Brandon Ching at [email protected].