Kalani holds off Nanakuli in final seconds

Nanakuli nearly recaptured the magic on its favorite spot across the island.

But unlike the Golden Hawks’ upset of Kaiser on the Cougars’ field in the OIA White playoffs last year, Nanakuli could not complete a rousing comeback Saturday in Hawaii Kai, falling 34-32 to Kalani on the Falcons’ homecoming night.

Brandon Roberts intercepted Golden Hawks deep-ball specialist Kale Kanehailua in the end zone with two seconds left to complete the thrilling victory, which looked well in hand until Nanakuli quarterback Chazz Troutman went ballistic in the fourth quarter.

Nanakuli recovered an onside kick with 29 seconds left after Kanehailua’s 58-yard touchdown strike to Naliko Kea on a double pass, and a 2-point conversion brought the Golden Hawks within two points.

Nanakuli took three stabs at the end zone from midfield before the threat was finally extinguished.

The nail-biter win puts Kalani (4-2 OIA White, 4-3 overall) in excellent position to qualify for one of four White playoff berths. The Falcons finish the regular season against Anuenue and at Waialua.

Kalani equaled its most wins in a season in the last 40 years, but it had to earn it in the face of a monster game from the slippery Troutman — 195 yards and a touchdown on the ground, and two touchdown passes and another 119 yards in the air. He found Eric Au Hoon-Kaawa and Kea for scoring strikes as part of a 24-point fourth quarter.

"It feels good. Nanakuli played hard to the end," Kalani coach Greg Taguchi said. "Troutman is a hell of a player. They’re a great team, they could have easily folded with three minutes left (down 34-16). But they came back and Brandon and some people made some good plays at the end of the game for us."

Noah Brum — 16-for-34 for 319 yards and four touchdowns and an interception — provided the matinee entertainment with three of his four passing touchdowns in the first half. Then it was Nanakuli’s do-it-all signal-caller Troutman supplying the late fireworks in helping the Hawks to three fourth-quarter touchdowns — each with a 2-point conversion.

The two quarterbacks exchanged a few respectful words at the end of the handshake line.

"He’s a great quarterback. I just want to say good job on his part, bringing back his team pretty good," Brum said.

"(For us), it feels amazing. I can’t describe in words how I feel. I’m just so excited that we pretty much made it to the playoffs. I want to thank my linemen, everybody, who did such a good job today and pushed through this game."

Brum, the OIA White’s leading passer, hit three different receivers for touchdowns in the first half. Trevor Yamashita led Kalani receivers with seven grabs for 138 yards and a touchdown.

After absorbing a 70-20 pounding against Kaiser last week, the Hawks (2-3, 2-4) can hold their heads high. They have three games left to make a playoff push.

"What we learned is, our guys got it in them to never give up," Nanakuli coach Keala Watson said. "It’s something we can build on for the rest of the season. Hopefully next time we’re in this situation, everything right goes our way.