KAILUA-KONA — The game started late, but Kamehameha-Hawaii’s offense started early.
Fortunatley for Kealakehe, its defense came to play for all four quarters.
The Waveriders (1-0 BIIF, 2-2 overall) rode a stellar performance from its defense and two touchdowns from Riggs Kurashige to score 22 unanswered points and knock off the Warriors 22-20 at Waverider Stadium on Friday night.
On its first of three first quarter touchdowns, Kamehameha took advantage of a Kealakehe fumble on a punt return. Just two plays later, sophomore QB DallasJ Duarte hooked up with Tre Evans-Dumaran on a 32-yard pass down the sideline.
The Warriors struck again minutes later. Duarte set up the score with a 20-yard pass to Manoa Makana and then backup quarterback Kamakana Pagan punched it in on fourth down from the 1-yard line.
While the secondary was having a hard time defending the pass, the front seven shut down electric back Kaeo Batacan and put Kealakehe on the board with a safety with five minutes left in the half.
The teams entered the break with Kamehameha up 20-2, and holding a distinct advantage in offense yardage. Almost of that came on the Warriors’ three quick TD drives in the first quarter.
Not only did the Kealakehe defense shore up in the second half, but put the unit put the Waveriders in position to win.
Early in the third quarter, Klein Hao picked off Duarte to set up a 56-yard run by Riggs Kurashige. After failing to convert a Pulama Louis fumble recovery deep in Kamehameha territory into points, defensive tackle Howard Cosare returned a fumble 50-plus yards. The big man ran out of gas, but Kurashige found the end zone from 1-yard out just plays later.
The Waveriders opted for a kick after the touchdown, and were down 16-20 with time ticking away.
Batacan sat out the fourth quarter with a foot injury, and Kamehameha needed him. Late in the fourth quarter, the Waveriders held the Warriors to a three-and-out, but Kamehameha went for a fake punt deep in their own territory. The Kealakehe defense stood firm and took over the ball inside of Kamehameha’s 30-yard line.
After a few penalties and short gains, the Waveriders found themselves on the 1-yard line and sophomore QB Anthony “Head” Trevino reached over the goal line to give the Waveriders a 22-20 lead.
Kamehameha got the ball back but the Kealakehe D stood tall again. Kealakehe took three knees and Markus Degrate sprinted backwards to run out the remaining time and put a rubber stamp on the comeback.
Kamehameha — 20 0 0 0 — 20
Kealakeha — 0 2 7 13 — 22