Waipahu grinds out OIA Red West win over Kapolei

Instead of waiting to let Kapolei dictate momentum, the Waipahu Marauders got defensive.

Led by middle linebacker Wesley Nagaseu, Waipahu limited the visiting Hurricanes to less than 3 yards per carry and sacked quarterback Alzon Kahana eight times en route to a 28-21 win Saturday night.

Waipahu, in its return to the Oahu Interscholastic Association Red West, evened its league mark at 1-1 (1-2 overall) with a true, blue-collar effort. Kapolei’s spread option managed 108 rushing yards in 39 carries — 2.8 per try.

"It was tough. Kapolei’s a tough team. Defensively, we stepped up in the second half. We had to stop their running game," Nagaseu said. "We needed our end to contain with our outside linebacker. We just have to get ready for Campbell. That’s a big test for us."

In addition to the defensive excellence, coach Eric Keola’s Marauders also rushed for 139 hard-earned yards. Quarterback Kaimi Paredes, the transfer from Pearl City, passed for 133 yards, all but 1 yard coming on well-timed connections with deep threat Dylan Pakau. He looked comfortable in their old-school UH spread-option attack.

The 5-foot-10, 174-pound speedster had four receptions, all in the first half, including a 53-yard halfback option and a 59-yard bomb that set up one of Waipahu’s four first-half touchdowns.

But it was defense that was steady. Beaver Lagima disrupted a double reverse by the ‘Canes, forcing a turnover early in the fourth quarter. Then Lagima came up with a sack, forcing Kahana to fumble, ending another Kapolei possession.

Kahana, a junior, gritted it all out, escaping a collapsing pocket to hurl a 30-yard touchdown strike to Kaeo Kanoa with 1:42 left. That brought Kapolei within 28-21.

Mataio Fualema recovered the ensuing onside kick, but nearly botched it by fumbling on his runback. Waipahu recovered, however, and ran out the final 1:35.

It was Kapolei’s first loss of the season after two wins (1-1, 2-1).

With a crowd of about 1,500 looking on at Masa Yonamine Athletic Complex, Waipahu scored on its first series, driving 94 yards in nine plays. Running back Isaiah Alama’s 9-yard burst came with 5:32 left in the opening quarter.

An interception by Lagima set up Waipahu’s next possession. The Marauders marched 68 yards in seven plays, getting a 36-yard gain on a toss sweep by Alama. Matapua Tulafale capped it with a 3-yard TD run, and Waipahu led 14-0 with 1:31 to go in the first quarter.

Kapolei’s offense came to life with the help of a face-mask penalty by Waipahu. Kahana drilled Alton Julius with a 10-yard touchdown pass to bring the ‘Canes within 14-7 with 9:03 remaining in the second quarter.

Waipahu came right back with a 59-yard play-action missile from Paredes to Pakau that gave the Marauders first down at the Kapolei 5-yard line. The two connected again four plays later on a fade route to the corner, and Waipahu led 21-7 with 6:36 left in the half.

Jordan Mendiola rocketed through the middle of the field for a 60-yard touchdown on a punt return to give Waipahu a 28-7 lead with 3:59 to go before halftime.