No. 7 Kapolei storms past No. 8 Waipahu

Kapolei QB Liatama Amisone gets downfield for an 83-yard touchdown run in the third quarter against Waipahu. Brian Bautista | SL

Like last season, the player named Liatama was terrorizing defenders at the Masa Yonamine Athletic Complex Friday night.

This time however, he wore the teal and black.

Kapolei junior quarterback Liatama Amisone threw for five touchdowns and added three more on the ground to power the Hurricanes in a mercy-rule victory over Waipahu, 63-28.

Amisone, who has the same name as former Waipahu receiver/quarterback Liatama Uiliata (2022 All-OIA Division I Offensive POY), threw for 258 yards and ran for 158 more as the Hurricanes (2-1) scored 35 unanswered points in the second half to break open the game.

Three of Amisone's scoring passes went to Kaina Kamohalii, who finished with nine receptions for 122 yards. Zayne Pasion was also solid with eight catches for 114 yards and a 25-yard TD that gave Kapolei a 28-21 lead with nine seconds left in the first half.

A 95-yard kickoff return to start the second half by Waipahu's Eric Stephens tied the game at 28 before the Hurricanes put together an 8-play, 51-yard drive in 74 seconds to take the lead for good on a 19-yard reception by Kamohalii at the 10:16 mark of the third quarter.

Kapolei's Kaikoa Iokia then recovered Hurley Kennedy's onside kick attempt to regain possession and the Hurricanes cashed in on Amisone's 35-yard TD run two plays later with 10:03 showing on the third quarter scoreboard.

Things started to unravel for the Marauders (0-2) at that point as a player was ejected for a punch. To make things worse, Waipahu fumbled the ensuing kickoff and Iokia was able to come away with another takeaway on special teams. Kapolei just needed three plays and 40 seconds to make it a 49-28 game.