KEAAU – Ka’u’s Evan Manoha didn’t need a 300-yard game rushing to take down Pahoa this time. With an improved defensive effort, a mere 200-yard effort sufficed.
“They were a little more ready for me,” Manoha said Thursday night after he rushed for three touchdowns in a 42-22 victory against the Daggers at Keaau High.
Meanwhile, after getting burned in their previous meeting, the Trojans were more adept at handling the Daggers’ passing attack, returning two interceptions for touchdowns.
“We told them to stay in their lanes,” Ka’u coach DuWayne Ke said. “It took them until their fourth game. They finally stayed in their lanes and they start picking off balls.”
Don’t count defending champion Ka‘u out of the BIIF eight-man race just yet, though Kohala can wrap up the league championship next Saturday with a victory against the Trojans (2-2 BIIF, 2-2) in Kapaau.
The Daggers (0-3, 0-3) took a halftime lead against Ka‘u for the second time in as many meetings this season, but they were undone by five turnovers. Quarterback Lava Benn threw two touchdowns, but he also tossed two pick-sixes as the Trojans scored 28 unanswered points in the second half.
“The defense played a beautiful game,” Ke said. “The offense was unreal in the second half.”
Ka’u finally benefited from preparation time thanks to favorable conditions in Pahala. Storms and lighting canceled practices earlier in the season, but on Thursday night Manoha provided the thunder, rushing for 219 yards, and defensive backs Zachary Kai and Janslae Badua provided the lightning with pick-sixes.
“Our coach taught us to help with our footwork, and to stay more aggressive,” Badua said. “Teamwork is the key. Forget about the score.”
In the previous meeting, Benn threw for 270 yards and four touchdown passes, two of which went to Joaquin Ridgway, who totaled more than 160 yards receiving. In the rematch, Kai kept Ridgway largely in check after his first-quarter touchdown reception.
“I played a little bit back (this time),” Kai said. “Just guarding him and watching his moves.
“My dad and girlfriend helped motivate me.”
Manoha didn’t reach 300 yards for the Trojans like the last time the teams met in Week 3, but he was once again his team’s bell cow on offense, lining up at running back and quarterback and pounding the left side of the Daggers’ defense in the second half.
Held to 112 yards in the first half, the Trojans gained 219 in the second half.
On a 14-play, 80-yard drive that burned almost 6:30 to open the third quarter, Manoha carried seven times for 45 yards, scoring on a quarterback keeper and tying the game on a two-point throw.
“They were stacking the right side for some reason,” Manoha said.
Duane Santiago’s sack on fourth-and-goal snuffed out Pahoa’s next possession, and Manoha completed a 42-yard pass to Kainalu Medeiros-Dancel. After a penalty, Manoha scampered 50 yards for a touchdown to give his team the lead on the final play of the third quarter.
“We could tell the momentum was shifting,” Manoha said.
Santiago also pressured Benn into hurrying a pass that was picked off by Badua at midfield and returned for a touchdown, the Trojans’ third score in less than 6 minutes.
Manoha also recovered a fumble. On fourth-and-17 on the ensuing drive, Manoha picked up 17, setting up Kalamakoa Waiwaiole’s short touchdown run.
After early offense, the game took a sloppy turn midway through the second quarter on a muddy field, with four of six possessions ending in turnovers.
Kai stepped in front of a Benn pass intended for Ridway and returned it 81 yards for a touchdown, and Manoha’s two-point run tied the game at 14-14.
But the Daggers recovered an onside kick at the Trojans’ 48 and needed just three plays to take the lead when Benn found Alexander Kekahuna-Waipa for a 24-yard score.
“We adjusted to everything,” said Kamaehu DeRamos, who also had an interception. “Were were down at halftime, but we had to bring everybody up.”
Manoha covered the balance of yardage on the Trojans’ opening 63-yard drive, scoring from 20 yards out.
Pahoa 14 8 0 0 —22
Ka‘u 6 8 14 14 — 42
First quarter
Pahoa – Joaquin Ridgway 5 pass from Lava Benn (run failed), 8:12
Ka‘u – Evan Manoha 20 run (run failed), 4:29
Pahoa – Dyson Gacutan 3 run (Benn pass to Ridgway), 1:45
Second quarter
Ka‘u – Zachary Kai 81 interception return (Manoha run), 1:51
Pahoa – Alexander Kekahuna-Waipa 24 pass from Benn (run good), 1:02
Third quarter
Ka‘u — Manoha 3 run (Kainalu Medeiros-Dancel pass from Manoha), 5:38
Ka‘u – Manoha 50 run (run failed),:00
Fourth quarter
Ka‘u – Janslae Badua 50 interception return (run failed), 11:43
Ka‘u – Kalamakoa Waiwaiole 2 run (Manoha pass Medeiros-Dancel), 4:26
