No. 2 Kahuku barrages No. 12 Waianae

Aaron Fonoimoana-Vaomu (12) twice recovered a loose ball in the end zone as a part of the Red Raiders' 31 points off special teams and defensive turnovers. Spencer Honda | SL

WAIANAE — It was vintage Red Raiders football mixed with a bit of new school offense as second-ranked Kahuku barraged No. 12 Waianae, 49-13, in both teams' Oahu Interscholastic Association Division I-Open regular season opener Friday night at Raymond Torii Field.

Kahuku scored 31 of its 49 points off special teams and defensive turnovers, recycling three Waianae punt miscues (mishandled snap, block, bad snap) and two interceptions for four touchdowns, one safety and five PAT kicks.

Junior linebacker Aaron Fonoimoana-Vaomu found himself in the right place at the right time, twice converting on a free shot at recovering a loose ball in the end zone — the first coming off KJ Macatiag's blocked punt in the second quarter and later on a high snap over the punter's head in the third period.

Kaonohi Kaniho and Ace Kaufusi each picked off Waianae backup quarterback Shaydon Lopes and took it all the way back for points within a minute, 30 seconds apart of game time.

A week after three different rushers eclipsed the century mark in a 41-28 win over Punahou, the Red Raiders took an unorthodox approach on offense in carrying the ball just a total 12 times for 24 yards — their lowest output since running for -7 yards against Leilehua in Sept. 2014.

Senior Wes Alo-Maiava carried the rock 23 times for 101 yards and four scores last week but only had five carries Friday night, getting stuffed for -3 yards with the team's lone rushing touchdown.

The other two offensive scores came through the air on Thorton Alapa's 31-yard strike to Mason Paulo in the second quarter and later on Robbie Sauvao's 18-yard dime to Ikaika Wells in the fourth.

"Yeah we're trying to put emphasis on the passing game, but Waianae is tough up front. If you look back at the history of Kahuku versus Waianae, they always give us a tough, tough time," Kahuku first-year coach Sterling Carvalho said.

Reach Spencer Honda at [email protected].