Late score, defense lift Kamehameha past Iolani

Greg Yamamoto | SL

The first regular season flag football game ever played at Kozuki Field at Eddie Hamada Stadium came down to a late score and a last stand, as Kamehameha rallied, then held on, for a 13-12 win over Iolani.

After falling behind 12-0 to the home team Raiders, Hayden Kaahanui-Cera rallied the Warriors with a one yard pass to Mona Kaululaau to end the first quarter and then found Kaila Miller with the go-ahead score to start off the fourth. She completed 18 of 26 passes for 213 yards.

"I trust each and every one of my receivers so my coach just told me throw the ball and give them a chance, and we scored," said Kaahanui-Cera of the two passing scores.

The opening score for Kamehameha was set up by a 43 yard bomb to Sivertsen, who finished with four catches for 82 yards. Silvertsen also added two tackles for loss and a pass break up. One of those TFLs came on Iolani's last gasp drive.

"Its really a blessing," said Sivertsen of the opportunity to represent her school in this sport. "I never thought I'd be playing football, like seeing it as only a boy's sport, but shout out to my QB Hayden, she really got me into it."

A play later, Hailey Balantac attempted to force a throw in the direction of a host of Warriors' defenders, and the attempt was picked off by Bella Alo to put a cap on the win.

"We played a little double blitz and I saw her (Balantac) looking towards (Callie Pieper) and she keeps throwing it to her whenever they are in trouble, so I stayed on her and it came to me," said Alo of the play.

The Warriors' defense played lights out down the stretch after the Raiders' first quarter outburst, allowing just 81 yards in quarters two through four after allowing 80 in the first alone. Credit the Raiders' defense as well with a stout effort, as they sacked Kaahanui-Cera four times, three times by Jackie Sur, and also got an interception by Pieper.

Fernandez led all pass catchers with 95 yards and two scores, and Nico Tanabe had a game-high seven receptions for 49 yards.

"We went up and up with them and it really just came down to the last second, we honestly just pushed hard" said Kaahanui-Cera of the win. "I'm really excited to play each and every one of the teams (on our schedule)."