Roosevelt pulls away from Waialua

Roosevelt QB Sky Ogata gets around a Waialua defender in the first half of an OIA Division II contest. Mycah Yokotake | Special to SL

WAIALUA — In a battle in the OIA Division II league, Roosevelt traveled to take on the Waialua Bulldogs and earned its first road win of the season, 28-7, at Toshiyuki Nakasone Field Friday afternoon.

Quarterback Sky Ogata got things rolling for the Rough Riders (2-0) as he threw a touchdown pass to Scott Chung in the first quarter. Isaac Segawa added on the PAT to make the score 7-0.

Waialua's only score of the ball game came in the second quarter on an 8-yard reception from quarterback Justyce Lacar to wide receiver Hunter Apau.

With under four minutes to play in the second quarter, Roosevelt's Aalona Monteilh caught the ball on a punt return and ran 52 yards into the end zone for a touchdown to make the score 13-7.

Waialua's Tyson Apau got injured on the same play which resulted in a long injury delay. As the game resumed after emergency personnel left, Roosevelt set up for the PAT, but caught the Bulldogs (1-1) off guard and Chase Akana snuck in the 2-point conversion as the Rough Riders took a 15-7 lead that they would take into the break.

The Bulldogs had a chance to score right before halftime when Kai Hoekstra caught a pass that took them to the Roosevelt 2-yard line, but Waialua running back Storm Quilenderino was stopped shy of the goal line on fourth-and-goal as time expired on the clock.

Roosevelt did what it could while passing and rushing the football. They had 389 yards of total offense. Ogata was sufficient in the pocket completing 15 of his 24 pass attempts. He threw two more touchdown passes in the third quarter, a 37-yard completion to Brandon Teixeria, and a 18-yard scoring pass to Chung for the final points of the night.

Penalties hurt both teams in Friday's matchup. Roosevelt accounted for 30 penalties for 290 yards while Waialua was called for 13 penalties for 130 yards.

Waialua's Kyler Dicion helped in the loss, playing on both defense and offense. He lined up as quarterback and was 5-for-9 passing for 80 yards. While playing on defense he accounted for 12 tackles and a sack which resulted in a 9-yard loss.

Roosevelt will host the Kalani Falcons next Friday while Waialua will stay at home for a non-league match up against Vincent Massey (Manitoba, Canada).