Faced with the task of replacing record-setting quarterback Noah Brum, Kalani coach Greg Taguchi turned to his defense.
Tyler Ching, a senior who played middle linebacker for the Falcons last season, started behind center on Saturday night and tossed four touchdown passes in a 32-0 win over Waialua in the OIA Division II opener for both teams at Kaiser Stadium.
Ching completed only 10 of his 30 passes but threw for 250 yards. Blaise Manabe scored on each of his three receptions, totaling 157 receiving yards to help Kalani win its first season opener since 2004.
"I could have done a lot of things better," Ching said. "I had a lot of anxiety coming in, but I think I’ll be better next game and a little more calmed down."
Kalani won six games last year for the first time in school history, falling one win shy of making the state tournament for the first time.
The Falcons were hit hard by both graduation and the loss of assistant coaches Ron and Cal Lee to Saint Louis.
Kalani had to replace four of its five leading receivers as well as Brum, who threw for 2,804 yards and 38 touchdowns.
Manabe, who had 40 catches last year as a sophomore, scored in each of the first three quarters, including on a 70-yard touchdown pass from Ching to give Kalani a 19-0 lead.
"I started as a freshman on this team, and as I’ve progressed, I’ve tried to become a leader and help my teammates and my quarterbacks out," Manabe said. "We had something to prove tonight and we did it."
Kalani racked up 10 sacks against two different Waialua quarterbacks, including six in the third quarter.
Linebacker Elijah Chu and defensive lineman Raimana Toa-Delage led the way with three sacks each while junior Nayton Koki added two.
The Bulldogs had just 53 total yards for the game.
"I think (Waialua) was kind of worn out because they didn’t have many numbers (suited up)," Taguchi said. "We started to get the edge on them in the second half, but Waialua is a tough team. They have some playmakers."
Senior Caelan Alejandro started at quarterback for the Bulldogs and went 7-for-17 for 44 yards in the first half. His second interception was picked off by junior Payton Awaya, who returned it 30 yards for a score to put the Falcons ahead 25-0.
Junior Royce Tashiro, who caught two passes from Alejandro, replaced him at quarterback after the second pick and completed his first two throws.
Kalani buckled down in the second half and pressured Tashiro relentlessly as he completed only one of his last 10 passes.
Ching capped the scoring finding Manabe a third time for a touchdown on an out route.
Manabe bounced off a receiver and sprinted into the end zone to put Kalani ahead 32-0.
"He’s going to be our main target this year and hopefully have a big season for us," Ching said of his receiver. He’s helping me along and the rest of our receivers have picked it up really good as well."
At Kaiser
| WAIALUA (0-1, 0-1) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
— |
0 |
| KALANI (1-0, 1-0) |
13 |
12 |
7 |
0 |
— |
32 |
Kaln—Blaise Manabe 55 pass from Tyler Ching (Marc Teshima kick)
Kaln—Kai Reed 9 pass from Ching (kick failed)
Kaln—Manabe 70 pass from Ching (run failed)
Kaln—Payton Awaya 30 interception return (pass failed)
Kaln—Manabe 32 pass from Ching (Teshima kick)
RUSHING—Waialua: Elmer Agtina 3-11, Mila Lele 3-(-1), Caelan Alejandro 7-(-7), Royce Tashiro 14-(-29). Kalani: Gage Quinabo-Reis 11-44, Brandon Nahina 8-17, Manabe 3-3, Ching 3-1.
PASSING—Waialua: Alejandro 7-17-2-44, Tashiro 3-12-0-35. Kalani: Ching 10-30-0-250.
RECEIVING—Waialua: Thomas Pule 4-36, Lele 2-14, Tashiro 2-10, Christian Paracuelles-Calaro 1-14, Brandon Aceret 1-5. Kalani: Manabe 3-157, Reed 3-31, Tyler Ho 2-45, Quinabo-Reis 1-10, Juwan Bohannon 1-7.
