KAILUA-KONA — Pop Warner football took over Waverider Stadium at Kealakehe High School on Sunday and the west side was well represented in the games.
The feature west side show pitted the Leeward Steelers and the Kona Marlins in the Peewee title game. The Steelers repeated as champions after exploding offensively in the second half, winning 40-20.
“Even though we had beaten the Kona Marlins twice already, we came into this game knowing it was going to be a battle,” said Leeward head coach Hezekiah Anahu-Ambrosio. “We were able to capitalize with our running game which they could not stop.”
Hezekiah “Kiah” Anahu-Ambrosio led the running attack. He had more than 200 yards from scrimmage, and scored a defensive touchdown as well. He was aided by quarterback Garrison Higgins, who controlled the pace of the game and completed timely passes when needed to keep the Marlins’ defense from creeping up at the line.
Shane Kalahiki, Higgins’ primary target in the game, had several big catches to extend drives.
“We knew what we were going to do and we executed,” Coach Anahu-Ambrosio. said. “The O-line did a great job of blocking as well and the defense was stout.”
The win allowed the Steelers to remain perfect on the season with a 12-0 record.
“It is an awesome feeling to go undefeated and the kids deserved it,” Coach Anahu-Ambrosio said. “The west side has a lot of talent.”
Next up for Leeward will be the Mililani Bowl in Honolulu, which will take place this weekend. The team leaves Friday.
The west side was also represented in a Junior Varsity regional game. The Westside Eagles took on Kauai’s Hanapepe Colts in a defensive battle that saw the Colts hold on for a 16-14 victory.
The Eagles were down 10-0 at the half but cut the deficit down to four when Elijah Kahele scored a third quarter TD on a short run.
During the fourth quarter, Westside managed to force several turnovers but could not move the ball offensively.
Hanapepe increased its lead with only 1:49 left with a rushing TD.
However, a long kick return led to second rushing touchdown by Kahele with 1:02 on the clock. The 2-point PAT after was good, and the Eagles trailed by only two.
Westside then tried to trick the Colts on the kickoff. With Hanapepe expecting an onside kick, the Eagles tried to dump the ball over the defense, but could beat the kick return team to the ball to recover. The team from Kauai was then able to run out the clock.
“The kids played hard,” said Westside head coach Alika Alapai. “It was an excellent season.”
Two east side teams wrapped up the day, with the Wailoa Razorbacks defeating the Panaewa Alii 34-12 in the Varsity championship.