If things had gone a little differently for Kalaheo earlier in the season, then perhaps the Mustangs would have been playing for an OIA playoff spot on Saturday night.
But Kalaheo was eliminated from contention a week ago. With the knowledge that it would be playing its last game of the season at Kailua’s Alex Kane Stadium, that was motivation enough, and the team showed it in a 22-7 senior night victory over Kalani.
The Mustangs finish the season one game behind Kaiser for the fourth and final spot after suffering two losses within two possessions that would have made the difference between postseason play and ending their season early.
“That’s very uplifting for the seniors I got,” coach Darrell Poole said of his team’s season-ending victory. “I got 10 of them I’m losing, but at the same time, it’s a positive thing for the players next season that we can look to. It was a tough season for the boys, but they battled in every game and hat’s off to Kalani too because Kalani’s a good team.
“For us to come out with a win on the mud like this, that’s just a testament to our boys and I’m proud of them.”
Despite the lack of rain throughout the game, both teams felt the aftereffects of a field still messy from the night before. The Mustangs (3-7) were well equipped for it on both sides of the ball, picking off Kalani’s (2-8) Nicholas Sakamoto three times and boasting two 100-yard rushers in sophomore Carl Addy and senior Jaden Amasiu.
“It feels nice. We worked hard even though our record doesn’t show it,” said Amasiu, who like many Mustangs had to play on both sides of the ball throughout the season. “We still work every day with the numbers we have.”
After recovering the opening onside kick at midfield, Kalani got on the board quickly. Sakamoto and Micah Matsuda connected for a 30-yard score with 10:47 left in the first quarter, but it proved to be the only score for the Falcons.
Addy gave Kalaheo the lead for good when he scored on a 1-yard rush and punched it in again on the ensuing 2-point conversion, giving the Mustangs an 8-7 advantage with 4:18 left in the first half.
Sakamoto struggled after the first drive of the game, and his third interception of the first half was returned for a 31-yard touchdown by Noa Lapera with 1:52 left before the break.
On Kalaheo’s first play from scrimmage in the second half, Amasiu took a handoff and burst for 80 yards and then ran in the 2-point conversion, stretching the Mustangs’ lead to 22-7 with 11:36 left in the third quarter.
The game was a defensive stalemate from then on, and the Mustangs defense never buckled down after giving up the opening score. Amasiu, who splits time among running back, linebacker and defensive back, sealed the game when he fell on a fumble at the Kalani 43 with 1:15 left.
“The whole season’s been like that, where my team played the whole time and our defense pretty much keeps us in the games,” Poole said. “They weathered the storm and I think tonight was just a testament of what these boys were made of for the whole season.”
GAME SUMMARY
Kalaheo 22, Kalani 7
At Kailua
>> Kalani (2-8, 2-5) 7 0 0 0 — 7
>> Kalaheo (3-7, 3-4) 0 14 8 0 — 22
Kalani — Micah Matsuda 30 pass from Nicholas Sakamoto (Kevin Tabuchi kick)
Kalaheo — Carl Addy 1 rush (Addy rush)
Kalaheo — Noa Lapera 31 interception return (pass failed)
Kalaheo — Jaden Amasiu 80 rush (Amasiu rush)
RUSHING — Kalani: Sakamoto 12-70, Nathaniel Balangitao 5-5. Kalaheo: Addy 22-111, Amasiu 7-102, Lapera 1-24, Bryson Johnson 1-(minus-3), Kekoa Alana 8-(minus-5), Team 2-(minus-11).
PASSING — Kalani: Sakamoto 14-30-3-149. Kalaheo: Alana 9-17-1-95, Amasiu 1-1-0-17.
RECEIVING — Kalani: Micah Matsuda 3-54, Nathaniel Balangitao 2-20, Jerick Robinson 2-18, Brayden Miguel 2-13, Dillon Cortez 2-4, Noah Ah Sam 1-40, Noa Uchida 1-1, Sheldon Chu 1-(minus-1). Kalaheo: Jordan Neufeldt 5-63, Amasiu 2-20, Evan Goad 1-22, Addy 1-4, Isaiah Akiu 1-3.
