OIA Football
Waipahu outlasts Pearl City, 13-7, advances to OIA D2 title game


  



Fri, Oct 21, 2016 @ Aiea [ 7:30 pm ]


Final 1 2 3 4 T
Pearl City (5-4-0) 7 0 0 07
Waipahu (8-3-0) 7 0 0 613

AIEA—For the first time in five years, Waipahu is going back to the Oahu Interscholastic Association Division II title game.

Kobie Russell's interception late in the fourth quarter helped set up AJ Contado's game-winning run to lift Waipahu past Pearl City, 13-7, in the OIA Division II semifinals at Aiea on Friday night.

"The turnaround we made in the last two years was amazing and it's huge for our community. This senior class up until this year, never won a homecoming game, and now they're in the championship game," said Waipahu coach Bryson Carvalho.

The Marauders (8-1 overall, 6-1 league), ranked sixth in the Hawaiian Electric Division II Power Rankings, also punch their ticket to the First Hawaiian Bank/Hawaii High School Athletic Association Division II Football State Championships.

Waipahu spent the past three seasons in Division I before dropping down to Division II to start the 2016 season. The Marauders will face Waialua, a winner over Kaimuki tonight, in the title game on Oct. 28.

Pearl City won five-straight to start league play and beat Waipahu, 21-7 on Sept. 10, but faltered down the stretch to go 0-3 to end the season 5-4 overall, 5-2 league play.

"We didn't make it and we're disappointed. We started off well, but we didn't finish what we started," said Pearl City coach Robin Kami.

Pearl City got the ball back with 2:52 left in the fourth quarter. Isaiah Asinsin was dropped for a 12-yard loss by Jeminae Solomua. Following the sack, Asinsin threw his third interception to Russell, who returned it to the Pearl City 15.

"I covered two guys and it was all reaction. I came up on it and I wanted to get my team to the ‘ship," said Russell, on his interception.

"That was huge. We were looking for a break and we were looking for something and it couldn't have come at a better time. I was hoping he would take it all the way, but he got it close enough for us to punch in this final score," said Carvalho, on the interception.

Two runs by Alfred Failauga got it down to the 3, but a penalty pushed the Marauders back to the 8. After Failauga got it to the 1, Braden Amorozo pitched it to Contado for the game-winning score with 15.5 seconds left, but Isaiah Harris missed the PAT.

"It was a triple option so there was a possibility I'm going to get the ball, but I wasn't expecting it. It was in the moment, once I saw Braden pull it out and pitch it and that's when I saw green in front of me," said Contado, who transferred from Pearl City to Waipahu.

The Chargers took over on their own 20. Asinsin threw an incompletion and Pearl City attempted a hook-and-ladder play, but was called back due to a penalty with 3 seconds left on the clock. Asinsin threw an incompletion that ended the game.

"The defense played wonderful and kept the game in the control. They stopped their quarterback," said Failauga.

After Zameer Khan missed a 33-yard field goal, Failauga broke off for a 69-yard run that set up his 11-yard score with 6:10 remaining in the first quarter to give the Marauders the early lead.

"When the line pulled, I found that area and took it. Coach said, ‘No matter the weather, we stick together,'" said Failauga.

Failauga, who was held to 68 rushing yards on Sept. 10, rushed for 150 yards on 22 attempts.

"I think that was the mistake I made as a play caller the last time. I don't think I ran the ball enough for Al and that's become our identity throughout the year. We have to run the ball and control the line of scrimmage," said Carvalho.

Pearl City answered back to the game at 7 after Charles Freitas' 3-yard run that completed a 80 yard drive in seven plays with 3:09 left in the first quarter. The Chargers managed to gain nine rushing first downs for the game.

The rain and muddy conditions made it difficult for both teams to get going on offense. The Chargers had an opportunity to take the lead before halftime, but Khan missed a 38-yard field goal and Waipahu took a knee.

Asinsin, who rushed and passed for a score in the first meeting was held in check for most of the night to finish with 63 passing yards and negative-23 rushing yards. Freitas rushed for a team-high 83 yards and Calvin Mock had a game-high 53 receiving yards for the Chargers.



Reach Brandon Ching at [email protected].




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