WR/KR Kumoku Noa scored TDs on a kickoff return, punt return and pass reception to help the Warriors beat the Seariders. Steve Erler | Special to SL

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Fri, Aug 7, 2015 @ Waianae [ 7:30 pm ]

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Kamehameha

33

Waianae

13

Final	1	2	3	4	T
Kamehameha (5-4-0)	13	3	17	0	33
Waianae (9-4-0)	13	0	0	0	13

• Pass
• Rush
• Rec

Jaren Ulu 110 yd

Thomas Yam 149 yd 1 TD

Ezekiah Moniz-Hopeau 74 yd 1 TD

Kanoa Shannon 54 yd 1 TD

Isaiah Freeney 63 yd

Jaykob Cabunoc 84 yd

WAIANAE - An experienced defense and the multi-tasking Kumoku Noa helped No. 5 Kamehameha beat host Waianae, 33-13, Friday night in a non-league prep football season opener at Raymond Torii Stadium.

Trailing 13-6 midway through the first quarter, the Warriors (1-0) reeled off 27 unanswered points that was triggered by the first of Noa's three touchdowns.  His 84-yard kickoff return tied the game at 13.  He caught a 47-yard touchdown pass from Thomas Yam and later returned a punt 74 yards for another TD.  Noa also had an apparent 55-yard punt return for a TD nullified by a penalty.

The Warriors spoiled the coaching debut of Waianae's Walter Young, who succeeded Dan Matsumoto who resigned after last season after 15 seasons.

"There were some butterflies," Young said of his debut. "I know how it feels now, so I think we'll be better off now."

Kamehameha showed its depth at quarterback.  It started the game returning starter Fatu Sua-Godinet. But four plays into the Warriors' first drive, Thomas Yam took over at QB and Sua-Godinet moved to receiver and caught three passes from Yam for 12 yards.  Yam showed a strong arm, completing nine of 18 passes for 149 yards, the bulk coming on a 73-yard pass to Jaykob Cabunoc and his 47-yarder to Noa.

"We have some depth there," Kamehameha coach Doug Cosbie said of Yam. "We have some guys who can play (QB). It was nice for him to gain experience."

Sua-Godinet, however, said he "strained" his knee while playing receiver.  He was on crutches after the game.

"Fatu will probably be out for a couple weeks," Cosbie said. "It's nothing too bad; he twisted his knee a little bit."

Another bright spot for the Warriors was kicker Adam Stack, who booted field goals of 30 and 27 yards.  He also kicked off three touchbacks.

Kamehameha's defense settled after giving up a 66-yard TD run early in the game; the only other Waianae score came off an errant snap from punt formation that the Seariders recovered in the end zone. Led by linemen Alema Kapoi and Andrew Aleki, the Warriors registered six sacks and seven other tackles for lost yardage.

"We have a lot of returning starters on defense, but we still have a long ways to go," Cosbie said of his defense.  "You have to give (Waianae) credit; they did a good job up front.  They blocked our guys pretty well. First game. We still have to watch film. Lot of mistakes; we're still not a very disciplined football team."

The Seariders (0-1) got off to an auspicious start when they scored on their first series after taking the opening kickoff. Four plays into the game, running back Ezkiah Moniz-Hopeau dashed 66 yards for a TD with 10:31 in the first quarter. Tate Ebel's PAT hit the left upright and bounced back to keep the score 6-0.

The Warriors wasted little time getting back, scoring on their ensuing eight-play, 68-yard drive capped off by running back Kanoa Shannon's one-yard run.  The Warriors tried for the 2-point conversion but Yam's pass was incomplete to keep the game tied at 6 with 7:43 in the first quarter.

Later in the quarter, the Seariders' defense forced the Warriors to put from Kamehameha's 41.  The snap was sailed over Stack and rolled into the back corner of the end zone, where Jaylen Gonzales recovered the ball for a touchdown.  Ebel's PAT gave the Seariders a short-lived 13-6 lead, as Noa's ensuing kickoff return and Stack's PAT tied the game at 13 with 4:39 in the first quarter.

Early in the second quarter, the Warriors took the lead on Stack's 40-yard field goal.

The second half was all Warriors, who opened the third quarter with Stack's 27-yard field goal.  Noa's 47-yard TD catch and his 74-yard punt return capped the scoring for the Warriors.

If anything for Waianae, first-year starting QB Jaren Ulu got battle tested by the Warriors' defense.  He took his licks with the sacks, but he also showed some poise when the Warriors blitzed; he did not force his passes and at times he rolled his way out of pressure to make his passes.

"He's young," Young said. "He's still just learning."

The Seariders begin the Oahu Interscholastic Association Division I regular season in crossover game Friday at Moanalua.  Waianae is in the Red and Moanalua is in the Blue.

Kamehameha will host Baldwin next Saturday.