Dynamic duo helps Moanalua in a 18-0 win against Kamehameha

Dhenz Agcaoili | SL

SALT LAKE - Quarterback Zaira Sugui passed for 207 yards and two touchdowns and all-purpose player Kaia Borje-Peeples totaled 106 yards of offense and a rushing TD to lead Moanalua to an 18-0 win against Kamehameha in preseason high school flag football Thursday night at Na Menhune stadium.

Moanalua improved to 4-0, while Kamehameha made its preseason debut.

Na Menehune sprinted out to an 18-0 lead at the half on the strong arm of two-time state wrestling champion Sugui, who completed 16 of 26 passes, including TDs of 5 to Borje-Peeples, a soccer player (who led her team with nine goals), and 10 yards to Jodie Keo.

Borje-Peepls, a sprinter in track, had six receptions for 51 yards and 55 rushing yards. The senior also pulled seven flags, four of them for QB sacks, as a pass rusher.

"They're very athletic and I'm glad to have them on the team," Moanalua coach Ladd Mokiao said of the duo. "They play in club together and they understand the language when I talk to them. It helps when both have speed and the quarterback has a big arm."

Sugui credits Borje-Peeples' athleticism for the offense's success.

"She's a very good helper," Sugui said. "She's a good receiver/running back. She helps me a lot. Her communication is good. I've been with her for a while and she's a really awesome player."

The duo as well as some other players, belong to Rooted Hawaii, a club flag team.

"Zaira's my quarterback and she helps me through everything," Borje-Peeples said.

Added Mokiao: "You cannot teach aggression, the two girls just have it."

Defense set the tone for Moanalua. An intercepttion by Lofa Simanu on fourth down stalled the Warriors' opening drive. Na Menehune took over at their 23 and needed six plays to move 57 yard on Sugui's 5-yard TD pass to Borje-Peeples with 2:28 left in the first quarter. A pass play failed on the 1-point conversion from the 3.

The Warriors punted after three plays on their next series with Na Menehune taking over a Kamehameha's 36.

Three plays later Sugui hit Jodie Keo from 10 yards to make it 12-0 after another failed pass attempt for the 1-point conversion with 9:12 left in the first half.

Kamehamha's next offensive series ended in a punt after Borje-Peeples recorded back-to-back sacks, as the Warriors turned the ball over on down at Moanalua's'27. Seven plays later Borje-Peeple scored on a 6-yar run with 3:48 left in the half.

Kamehamha's defense shut down Moanalua in the second half and vice versa for Na Menehune.

It was Kamehameha's first game and it' still trying to get up to speed in the pass-oriented game, which requires timing.

"We; 're just learning this game," said Kamehameha coach Wendell Say, who coached Aiea's boys for 32 years. We'll get better, we just have to get more repetitions and play."

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at [email protected].