After two rough years in the OIA Red, Kaimuki is back in a division it can contend in.
The Bulldogs got off to a good start in OIA Division II play on Saturday night, beating short-handed Anuenue 26-6 in their season opener at Kaiser Stadium.
Sean Noda rushed for 152 yards and scored three touchdowns, including two in a 26-second span in the second quarter, to turn a scoreless game into a 13-0 Kaimuki lead at halftime.
"He’s quick and has a good burst and he’s actually learning a new position," Kaimuki coach Clint Onigama said. "Hopefully, we’ll get our running back back soon, but (Noda’s) just filling in and it looks like he’ll be getting some carries throughout the season."
Kaimuki won for just the second time in its last 19 games after going 1-15 in two seasons in the OIA Red.
The Bulldogs suited up 23 players but actually had more depth than Na Koa, who started the game with 16 players in full uniform.
Anuenue lost another to injury in the third quarter but finished out the game after forfeiting its season opener against Radford last week.
First-year Anuenue coach Keliipio Adams said they decided to play the game on Monday.
"We had some injuries in the offseason, so we decided on Monday we’re going to play," Adams said. "We’re just trying to keep the program alive. We asked them at the beginning of the week if they wanted this game, but it was all them."
Na Koa held the Bulldogs scoreless through the first 19 minutes before a 14-play drive ended with Noda’s 6-yard touchdown run.
Kaimuki got the ball back after Anuenue failed to secure the ball on a short kickoff.
Quarterback Tevita Lino scrambled for 30 yards on a run before Noda’s 9-yard touchdown run made it 13-0.
Noda added a 56-yard touchdown run on his second carry of the third quarter and Lino found Nixon Siona open for a 36-yard score to make it 26-0.
Anuenue avoided the shutout when backup quarterback Kimo Romena raced past the Bulldogs defense for a 38-yard touchdown run on fourth down with 5:14 remaining.
Starter Kona Kelekolio rushed for 76 yards on 20 carries but was sacked seven times.
Senior defensive tackle John Sunia had four sacks and defensive end Billy Masima added two.
Linebacker BJ Mike had 10 tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery.
"A lot of these boys are young," Onigama said. "We’ve got a lot of sophomores in there and heck, we even have got a freshman starting for us, so there’s a lot of things they’re just trying to get used to in their first game.
"One of the things we’re fortunate to have is a good squad of lineman and I hope those guys are going to be able to keep us in ballgames."
At Kaiser
| KAIMUKI (1-0, 1-0) |
0 |
13 |
6 |
7 |
— |
26 |
| ANUENUE (0-2, 0-2) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
— |
6 |
Kaim—Sean Noda 6 run (Cain Asiata kick)
Kaim—Noda 9 run (kick failed)
Kaim—Noda 56 run (kick failed)
Kaim—Nixon Siona 36 pass from Tevita Lino (Tristan Malakai kick)
Anue—Kimo Romena 38 run (run failed)
RUSHING—Kaimuki: Noda 14-152, Tevita Lino 4-35, Ivan Malo 4-14, Billy Masima 6-13, Malakai 2-12, TEAM 1-(-1). Anuenue: Kona Kelekolio 20-76, Namaka Park 8-40, Romena 1-31, Keanu Rodriguez 1-1, Kekoa Lima 1-0, TEAM 1-(-14).
PASSING—Kaimuki: Lino 6-14-1-55. Anuenue: Kelekolio 2-10-1-7, Romena 1-1-0-(-1).
RECEIVING—Kaimuki: Nixon Siona 2-41, Noda 2-16, Malakai 1-0, Sloan Fuller 1-(-2). Anuenue: Rodriguez 2-5, Lima 1-1.
