McKinley snaps losing streak with shutout victory over Waialua

The Tigers storm the field after defeating Waialua for their first win since 2013. Mycah Yokotake | Special to SL

WAIALUA — It's been a long time coming.

McKinley snapped a 29-game losing streak and earned its first win since 2013 with a 22-0 victory over defending Oahu Interscholastic Association Division II champ Waialua at Toshiyuki Nakasone Stadium Friday night.

"I just want to get home and celebrate," said McKinley senior Sioeli Lopes-Liutolo. "Words can't explain how much we wanted to win."

Defense set the tone for the Tigers (1-5 overall, 1-4 OIA D2) as McKinley recorded five interceptions, recovered a Waialua fumble and forced a turnover on downs.

Lopes-Liutolo and Ezekiel Samuelu each had two picks, Jordan Kanakunui had another interception and Emilio Paul had a fumble recovery to lead the Tigers' defense.

McKinley also stopped the Bulldogs (0-6, 0-5) on the 3-yard line on the final play of regulation to preserve the shutout.

"Our defense from the very beginning has always been our heart and soul," said McKinley coach Pat Silva. "They came to play tonight and they did a helluva of a job in putting our offense in the position that we were in tonight."

Neither team could find the end zone through most of the first half, but the Tigers got a big break when Waialua's Matthan Hatchie shanked a punt to give McKinley first-and-10 at the Bulldogs' 26-yard line with 1:34 left in the second quarter.

Even though the clock was against them, the Tigers were able to turn the good field position into a 19-yard touchdown pass from Nuu Koli to Frank Steffany, who are both seniors, on the final play of the first half.

"Any time you score before the half, it's a momentum swing," said Silva. "Our kids are hyped about those things, and it just carried us through the second half."

The Bulldogs got the ball to receive the second half, but turned it over on Kyler Dicion's third interception of the night. After a 5-yard run by Laulii Iosefa, Koli hooked up with Kaiwi Ahina for a 40-yard completion down the left sideline. The big pass play helped set up Hieu Huynh's 25-yard field goal to give McKinley a 10-0 lead.

Iulio Atonio recovered a fumble on offense for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter and Lopes-Liutolo scored on a 3-yard TD run just before the end of the game to seal the deal for the Tigers.

McKinley was relatively balanced on offense in its win, rushing for 158 yards while passing for 112 yards on 5-for-12 passing. Even though the Tigers averaged 3.2 yards per rush attempt, it was enough to wear down the Bulldogs down the stretch.

"My guys is only 120 something pounds," said Waialua coach Lincoln Barit. "You coach with what you got, and (their) coach did what they had to do. They was running the ball, wearing us down. We're not the biggest team."

It's been a tough year for the Bulldogs after winning their first OIA title in 61 years in 2016. Waialua lost starting quarterback Tevesi Toia to a season-ending injury early in the year and have been trying to integrate the younger players in to the fold.

In spite of the losses, Barit remained positive with his team and is happy that they have improved since the start of the season.

"The boys did good, every game we getting better," he said. "We building for next year and trying to get the seniors a win. It's going to come, but the boys work hard."

Senior defensive linemen Matthan Hatchie had a game-high 14 tackles, two for loss, and two forced fumbles to lead the Bulldogs in the loss.

Reach Michael Lasquero at [email protected].