KAILUA-KONA — A first quarter flurry and late long field goal proved just enough as Kamehameha-Hawaii edged Kealakehe 15-13 on Friday night at Waverider Stadium.
Kamehameha junior back Paniau Lindsey powered the Warriors ground game, collecting 91 yards rushing, and Justin Kenoi delivered the game-sealing 37-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.
Anthony Trevino booted a pair of field goals for Kealakehe, and quarterback Kekoa Ilagan-LeBlanc scored on a fourth quarter scamper.
Ilagan-LeBlanc’s touchdown and a fourth-down stand at midfield by the Waveriders’ defense gave Kealakehe a chance with less than a minute left, but a 54-yard field goal attempt by Trevino fell just short with three seconds remaining.
Kealakehe took an early lead in the turnover battle with two fumble recoveries in the first half. However, those turnovers generated just a field goal for the ‘Riders — one of two in the first quarter from the leg of Trevino.
The teams combined for just three completed passes in the first quarter, with both squads finding success on the ground. Kealakehe was aided by a 65-yard run from Ilagan-LeBlanc early, while Kamehameha opted for a group effort, utilizing five different ball carriers.
Lindsey found the most room, scampering for 81 yards in the first half, including a 41-yard gashing run down the middle of the defense that set up the Warriors first touchdown — a 3-yard plunge by Bryce Furuli.
A second field goal by Trevino evened the game at 6-6, but Kamehameha quarterback Kaimi Like broke the tie with a 5-yard pass to Israel Bowden.
The second quarter saw much more action in the air, but none of the scoring. Kamehameha came the closest, blocking a punt with less than a minute and setting up inside the red zone. After a penalty nullified a score, a missed field goal sent the teams into the break.
Kamehameha nearly doubled Kealakehe in total first half yardage, but the Waveriders remained within striking distance, just a score behind.
Kamehameha had another score wiped away by a penalty when an illegal block brought back a 75-yard Bowden punt return — which was really the highlight of another slow offensive quarter.
The Warriors kicked off the fourth quarter with three consecutive completions by Like and were aided by 30 yards of personal foul penalties by the Waveriders to get to the goal line. However, a Kamehameha personal foul, followed by a false start on a field goal attempt pushed the Warriors all the way back to the 22-yard line. But this time, Kenoi’s kick from 39 yards out was on target, and gave Kamehameha a two-possession lead at 15-6.
Kealakehe’s best offensive drive might have been its last, but the Waveriders showed little urgency with time quickly ticking away. After a controversial pass interference flag on 4th and 15 kept the Waveriders hopes alive, Ilagan-LeBlanc found the end zone on an 11-yard run to put the ‘Riders within two points after the PAT by Trevino.
The Waveriders failed to recover the onside kick, but the defense gave them a chance. A long run by Ilagan-LeBlanc to open up the drive put Kealakehe on the edge of Trevino’s range, but it fell just short in the final seconds.