OIA Football
Late rally lifts Kailua over Moanalua, into OIA Division I title game


ScoringLive staff
November 3, 2024, 8:45am

  

Sat, Nov 2, 2024 @ Moanalua [ 6:30 pm ]

Kailua

28

Moanalua

17

Final 1 2 3 4 T
Kailua (6-7-0) 7 7 0 1428
Moanalua (8-3-0) 0 7 10 017
Jayce Bareng 87 yd 2 TD
Rylan Akana 58 yd 1 TD



Its been a minute, but Surfers are back in the 'ship.

Kailua rallied for two scores in the final minute and a half to stun 13th ranked Moanalua, 28-17, to reach the OIA Division I title game and lock up a berth in the upcoming HHSAA Division I state tournament.

The last league championship for the Surfriders came in 2001, where it was named co-champions with Kahuku. Kailua's coach at that time was Darren Johnson, now the head coach of top-ranked Campbell.

A back and forth contest swung back in favor of Na Menehune late in the third, when Tyler Gines-Hufana connected with Jayce Bareng on a 75 yard scoring strike to make it 17-14. Bareng, who had a game-high 87 receiving yards, also had a five yard score in the second quarter.

With under three minutes in regulation, Kailua got the back on the Moanalua 40 thanks to a short punt, but faced a fourth and 10 with the  game, and seemingly the season, on the line. On that play, Isaiah Keaunui-Demello clutched up, finding Isaiah Kaiu for a 26 yard score with just 1:17 left.

That scoring play marked Keaunui-Demello's third of the game and the fourth consecutive game he's thrown at least three touchdowns. He completed 20 of 32 passes for 208 yards.

Lead in hand, the Surfriders' defense put the game to rest on the very next play from scrimmage as Keoki Cypriano picked off Gines-Hufana and took it back the other way 28 yards to make it all but academic.

Rylan Akana led Kailua's passing corps with six grabs for 58 yards and a score, and Clayton Quidachay grinded out 56 yards on 19 carries to lead all rushers.

Kailua will face off with Leilehua, who rolled to a 30-0 win over Waianae, for the league title on Nov. 9 at Farrington, following the Division II contest set to kick off at 4 p.m.




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IMAGE GALLERY

Kailua wide receiver Isaiah

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