Waianae rumbles past Radford to keep playoff hopes alive

Waianae running back Alika Idica Jr. (3) rushes behind lead blockers Kingsten Costales (42) and Chaesten Eliu (48) against Radford to give the Seariders the first down in the fourth quarter at Radford’s John E. Velsaco Stadium. CJ Caraang | SL

Its coming down to the wire for the final two spot in the OIA's Divsion I playoffs.

Waianae used its ground game, led by 176 yards from Slater Kaleiohi and 99 more and a score from Alika Idica Jr., to keep Radford at bay in a 24-15 win to close out both teams in the regular season.

The first score of the game came on a 37 yard punt return by Zeke Schulz to put the home team ahead, but the Seariders responded three minutes of clock later with a four yard rumble by Idica, and a Brysen Ferreira PAT put the visitors ahead.

Waianae added to the scoreboard with 4:00 left in the second on a 12 yard scamper by Nakoa Gouveia, but saw the Rams answer back in the final minute of the half with a 25 yard field goal make by Luke Barner for a 14-9 score at the break.

Ferreira, who made all three PAT kicks on the evening, tacked on a 33 yard field goal to open the third and the Seariders padded the advantage to 24-9 on 60 yard interception return by Chaunston Kido-White at the 5:20 mark of the quarter.

Radford closed the gap to single digits on a Afi Togafau to Jacob Sullivan scoring play from 21 yards away, but a second missed point after try kept it a two-score contest.

Sullivan led all pass catchers with six grabs for 68 yards in the loss.

Defensively, Waianae had three picks in the contest, two from Deegan Anduha, who also recovered a fumble. Schulz led all defenders with nine total tackles for the Rams.

The win by the Seariders leveled both teams records to 4-3, and set up a possible three-way tie scenario with Kailua, should the Surfriders lose in its finale against Aiea.

A Kailua victory assures them the third seed in the playoffs and also would slot Waianae in as the final playoff squad by virtue of the head-to-head win over the Rams.

Leilehua is locked in as the top seed in the playoffs with a 6-1 record and a win over Moanalua. Na Menehune also clinch a slot at 5-1, with a game against Nanakuli left on the slate.