KEAAU – Don’t count Ka‘u out of the BIIF eight-man race just yet.
Evan Manoha enjoyed another big game against Pahoa with 219 yards rushing and three scores Thursday night, and the Trojans returned two interceptions for touchdowns to come back for a 42-22 victory at Keaau High.
Kohala can wrap up the league championship next Saturday with a victory against the Trojans (2-2 BIIF, 2-2) in Kapaau.
The Daggers (0-3, 0-3) took a halftime lead against Ka‘u for the second time in as many meetings this season, but they were undone by five turnovers. Quarterback Lava Benn threw two touchdowns, but he also tossed two pick-sixes as the Trojans scored 28 unanswered points in the second half.
Manoha didn’t reach 300 yards for the Trojans like the last time the teams met in Week 3, but he was once again his team’s bell cow on offense, lining up at running back and quarterback.
On a 14-play, 80-yard drive that burned almost 6:30 to open the third quarter, Manoha carried seven times for 45 yards, scoring on a quarterback keeper and tying the game on a two-point throw.
Duane Santiago’s sack on fourth-and-goal snuffed out Pahoa’s next possession, and Manoha completed a 42-yards pass to Kainalu Medeiros-Dancel. After a penalty, Manoha scampered 50 yards for a touchdown.
Santiago also pressured Benn into hurrying a pass that was picked off by Janslae Badua and returned for a touchdown, the Trojans’ third score in less than six minutes.
Manoha also recovered a fumble. On fourth-and-17 on the ensuing drive, Manoha picked up 17, setting up Kalamakoa Waiwaiole’s short touchdown run.
The game took a sloppy turn midway through the second quarter, with four of six possessions ending in turnovers.
Zachary Kai stepped in front of a Benn pass and returned it 81 yards for a touchdown, and Manoha’s two-point run tied the game at 14-14.
But the Daggers recovered an onside kick at the Trojans’ 48 and needed just three plays to take the lead when Benn found Alexander Kekahuna-Waipa for a 24-yard score.
Manoha covered the balance of yardage on the Trojans’ opening 63-yard drive, scoring from 20 yards out.
Pahoa 14 8 0 0 —22
Ka‘u 6 8 14 14 — 42
First quarter
Pahoa – Joaquin Ridgway 5 pass from Lava Benn (run failed), 8:12
Ka‘u – Evan Manoha 20 run (run failed), 4:29
Pahoa – Dyson Gacutan 3 run (Benn pass to Ridgway), 1:45
Second quarter
Ka‘u – Zachary Kai 81 interception return (Manoha run), 1:51
Pahoa – Alexander Kekahuna-Waipa 24 pass from Benn (run good), 1:02
Third quarter
Ka‘u — Manoha 3 run (Kainalu Medeiros-Dancel pass from Manoha), 5:38
Ka‘u – Manoha 50 run (run failed),:00
Fourth quarter
Ka‘u – Janslae Badua 50 interception return (run failed), 11:43
Ka‘u – Kalamakoa Waiwaiole 2 run (Manoha pass Medeiros-Dancel), 4:26