Football
Kauwalu came up big in Seariders' win over Rams




In a span of less than 30 seconds, Kainoa Kauwalu scored two touchdowns and he doesn't even play on offense.

Wai'anae's inside linebacker returned interceptions of 14 and 45 yards for TDs in the Seariders' 41-20 win against Radford Friday night at Raymond Torii Field.

The win put the Seariders into the 10-team O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red tournament, which begins Friday. But for the West's third-seeded Seariders, they have bye along with the other top three teams from each division. Wai'anae will travel to Kailua the weekend of Oct. 22-23 in the quarterfinals.

It was senior night for the Seariders and Kauwalu, a senior, made it a memorable one. With the Seariders leading 27-14 midway through the third quarter, a 52-yard punt by Wai'anae's Josh Naki pinned the Rams to their 3. On third-and-8 at the 4, Kauwalu intercepted Maika Ulufale's pass and returned it 14 yards to the end zone with 5:03 left in the third quarter.

Radford's Phil Hogan returned the ensuing kickoff 27 yards to the Rams' 39. On second-and-10, the Rams ran a similar pass route and Kauwalu was positioned in the right place again and returned it 45 yards for a TD with 4:39 left in the quarter.

The two touchdowns put the game out of reach for the Rams.

"He's been steady throughout the year," Wai'anae coach Dan Matsumoto said of Kauwalu. "He picked those twice in the same area. It was something he picked up. Those were two great plays."

Kauwalu might have been the one to get the TDs, but he was quick to acknowledge his line for putting pressure on the QB. In fact, the defense was stellar all around.

His cousin, LB Chavez Kauwalu set the tone, when he forced a fumble while sacking Ulufale that gave the Seariders excellent field position at the Rams' 35. The Seariders scored on a five-yard run by Bryson Panui.

Naki, also a DB, had an interception that also led to a Wai'anae TD. Wai'anae had just scored and the Rams' ensuing kickoff return went to their 20. On first down, Naki returned the interception 21 yards to the Rams' 10. Two plays later, QB Puletua Wilson scored on a one-yard sneak to make it 21-0 still in the first quarter.


WEEK 9 PERFORMERS


Kamehameha-Hawai'i's Aukai Akau scored on a 47-yard run, 32-yard reception and 74-yard kickoff return against Konawaena.


McKinley AP Solomon Dixon rushed for 267 yards and three TDs against Waialua.


Pac-Five LB Josh Donovan had two sacks against Kamehameha.


'Anuenue RB Ikaika Gante rushed for 242 yards and three TDs against Kalani.


Kaiser RB Josh Gonda rushed for 183 yards and one touchdown against Roosevelt.


Kamehameha DE Koa Ka'ai had two sacks against Pac-Five.


Kalani QB Wilkins Kato passed for 237 yards and two TDs against 'Anuenue.


Wai'anae LB Chavez Kauwalu had a sack that forced a fumble for a turnover that led to a Seariders' TD against Radford.


Castle QB Jaymason Lee passed for 409 yards and three TDs against Kahuku.

Hilo QB Kamaka Lewis passed for 112 yards and two TDs and rushed for 175 yards and three TDs against Waiakea.

King Kekaulike's Kepa Luat-Hueu had a 73-yard TD run and a 98-yard kickoff return for a TD against Baldwin.


Roosevelt DL/TE Asten Koki scored on a 4-yard fumble return and caught the game-winning touchdown pass in double-overtime in a 22-16 victory over Kaiser.


Mililani QB Trent McKinney passed for 205 yards with two scores and rushed for 70 yards and three TDs against Leilehua.


'Iolani LB Matt Padaca had 2.5 sacks against Saint Louis.


Saint Louis DE Juda Parker had two sacks and caused a fumble against 'Iolani.


Mililani RB Zachary Payomo rushed for 152 yards against Leilehua.


Leilehua QB Kenan Sadanaga passed for 362 yards and three touchdowns against Mililani.


Kamehameha CB Walter Santiago had two interceptions, one leading to a Warriors' score, against Pac-Five.


Leilehua WR Darrien Shealy caught nine passes for 160 yards and a touchdown against Mililani.


Kaimuki RB Chester Sua rushed for three touchdowns and returned a kickoff for another against Waipahu.


Wai'anae DL Kennedy Tuimasealii had two sacks against Radford.


Punahou LB Kyle Tuumalo had a sack and interception against Damien.


Kahuku RB Aofaga Wily rushed for 206 yards and three TDs against Castle.


Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at [email protected].




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