Moanalua holds on to top Radford, earn first league win

Moanalua wide receiver Jayce Bareng (9) runs down the sideline against Radford defensive back Zyon Telles-Kuwahara (10) in the second quarter at Radford's John E. Velasco Stadium. CJ Caraang | SL

For the first time since the 2021 season, Na Menehune has opened its league account in the win column.

Moanalua got a pair of scores from Jayce Bareng, one an 15 yard touchdown toss from Isaac Harney in the second quarter, and the other an 85 yard kickoff return, to hold off Radford, 31-22, in both teams' OIA Division I opener.

Na Menehune built an early 10 point advantage on an Andy Nguyen field goal in the first and Bareng's TD reception, but saw the Rams get right back in it as Afi Togafau found Jacob Sullivan on a 12 yard scoring strike, then connected with Kaniela Hao-Hose on the ensuing conversion to make it a 10-8 contest.

Kalino Judalena punched one in from six yards away for the only third quarter score, putting Moanalua back up by nine heading into the final quarter of play.

The Rams pulled back to within a field goal on a 77 yard interception return for TD by Sullivan at the 11:40 mark of the fourth, but missed the extra point.

Bareng had the instant answer to the trimmed deficit, as he took the kickoff back 85 yards and Nguyen kicked through the point after to push the margin back to 10.

Moanalua added an insurance score at the 8:12 mark of the fourth, as Harney found Kyson Kealoha for a 30 yard scoring strike to make it 31-14 before Radford scored the last points of the game with 1:25 to go, cutting the lead back to single digits on a Togafau five yard keeper and a two-point conversion run by Sullivan.

With the win over the Rams, Na Menehune has already equalled its win total from a year ago, where it finished 1-7-1 overall. Moanalua takes on Kamehameha-Hawaii, a 50-14 winner over Nanakuli, on Aug 17, then travels to the Big Island to face Waiakea on Aug 31 before continuing regular season play.

The Rams, 1-7-0 in 2023, will take on Redlands (Ca.) on Aug. 19 at home then travel to Skyview (Wa.) on Sept 6 to complete its non-league slate.