KEAAU — DallasJ Duarte put just enough air on his pass as to give Makana Manoa ample time to run under it. When the ball came down, Kamehameha had a 40-yard scoring play and a little breathing room early in the third quarter. Most important, the Warriors had a lot more peace of mind in its quarterback situation as it turns to the regular season.
Making his second career start, Duarte passed for three touchdowns Thursday night, guiding the Warriors to a 38-14 victory against Waiakea at Paiea Stadium to close an undefeated preseason.
The sophomore, playing his third career game in place of the injured Kamakana Pagan, was on point in the first half even as the his receivers let him down. Kamehameha’so first three drives were hampered by dropped passes.
Duarte finished 20 of 27 for 252 yards, twice hooking up with Manoa for 40-yard touchdowns. He also hit Tre Evans-Dumaran for a 20-yard strike in the second quarter as Kamehameha (3-0) scored 31 consecutive points after falling behind.
Tyler Kepano set up Waiakea’s first touchdown, blindsiding Duarte in the backfield and forcing a fumble that Manuia Sevao returned 37 yards to the Kamehameha 3. Quarterback Gehrig Octavio ran into the end zone two plays later.
Kaeo Batacan surpassed 100 yards for the third time in three preseason games and ran for a touchdown.
Rain came in the second quarter, and then Waiakea (0-3) was hit with a deluge in the third quarter, surrendering 23 points and making two costly fumbles.
Octavio connected with Cody Cuba on a 47-yard touchdown pass late in the third quarter.
Pagan got into the game in the fourth quarter. Batacan’s 55-yard run in the fourth quarter set up Pagan’s 5-yard touchdown run.
Kamehameha has consecutive Thursday night home games in Weeks 2 and 3 of the regular season — including a rematch with Waiakea on Sept. 3 — after opening the regular season next Friday at Kealakehe. Waiakea welcomes Konawaena on Friday.
Waiakea 0 6 8 0 — 14
Kamehameha 0 8 23 7 —38
Second quarter
Wai — Gehrig Octavio 3 run (kick failed), 6:02
KS-Hawaii — Tre Evans-Dumaran 20 pass from DallasJ Duarte (Kainalu Whitney pass from Duarte)’ 4:43
Third quarter
KS-Hawaii — Makana Manoa 40 pass from Duarte (Jaisten Cabatbat kick), 9:05
KS-Hawaii — Kaeo Batacan 4 run (Cabatbat kick), 7:15
KS-Hawaii — Safety, Iokua Manuia tackles Octavio in end zone, 5:44
KS-Hawaii — Manoa 40 pass from Duarte (Cabatbat kick), 2:04
Wai — Cody Cuba 47 pass from Octavio (Octavio run), :51
Fourth quarter
KS—Hawaii — Kamakana Pagan 5 run (Cabatbat kick), 6:51