KEAAU — The Kamehameha Schools – Hawai‘i football team gave its crowd a treat during its home opener, defeating Kohala HS 48-7 on Friday night.
The Warriors dominated both sides of the ball — scoring on most of their drives and not allowing the Cowboys’ offense past the 50-yard line for most of the first quarter.
“We practiced really hard this week, we did not take Kohala lightly,” KSH head coach Kealoha Wengler said. “We had some set plays that we wanted to do, we wanted to attack the mid zone and just check our quarterback on the deep pass — but we also wanted to establish a run game, and we got that going in the first half.”
KSH Junior quarterback Adam Perry grossed 271 passing yards, three touchdowns and an interception — completing 15 of 24 pass attempts.
“We’re really impressed with (Perry’s) growth,” Wengler said. “The whole summer, he trained really hard. He’s been a surprise to us. He’s been connecting with his receivers, and not just in passing.”
Kohala did not leave without its own highlights, though — and kept fighting until the end of the game. This was the Cowboys’ first outing of the season.
“We never gave up,” Kohala head coach Earl Hoshida said. “We kept fighting, it’s a big stepping stone for a lot of these kids. They never did play, so it was a good experience for them. I think we’re getting better. All we can do is move on and keep getting better.”
KSH got on the board less than three minutes into the first quarter. Perry threw 18 yards to classmate Shiloh Santos for a touchdown — which was followed a successful PAT kick by senior Lucas Kay-Wong.
The Warriors’ defense dealt the Cowboys a three-and-out during their subsequent offensive effort.
Just over two minutes after the first score, Perry and Javan Feary connected for a 20-yard touchdown. Kay-Wong put up another good PAT kick. KSH led 14-0.
Kohala’s offense was stifled again during its next drive. After that, the Warriors had another successful offensive effort. After swiftly moving into the redzone, Perry rushed four yards for KSH’s third touchdown. Kay-Wong put up another point for a 21-0 KSH lead.
Shortly after the start of the second quarter, Perry and Cole Walker connected for a 69-yard touchdown — during which Walker moved roughly 40 yards from the site of the catch to the endzone, evading multiple attempted tackles. Unlike the last three times, though, the PAT kick failed. KSH’s lead increased to 27-0.
Kohala’s offensive woes continued. KSH’s Niau Palos made a tackle-for-loss, then combined with Kingston Akiona for another TFL less than a minute later.
After the Warriors got the ball, they moved deep into the redzone and Ethan Bowden dove one yard for another TD. Kay-Wong made the kick for a 34-0 KSH lead.
Kohala’s Isaiah Antonio returned the kickoff for 40 yards, but the Cowboys were unable to capitalize and had to punt again.
For the Warriors’ final touchdown of the half, freshman quarterback Chanse Kaaua-Long connected with Feary for a 35-yard TD. The PAT was good, bringing KSH’s lead to 41-0.
“(Kaaua-Long) has been working really hard for the whole summer,” Wengler said. “He’s a freshman quarterback, so hopefully we get some JV team training where he can really let loose.”
Just before the end of halftime, Kohala finally got on the board. Tiras Perez returned the kickoff more than 90 yards for a touchdown, followed by a PAT kick by Kuokalani Kahalioumi. Kohala trailed 41-7 entering halftime.
At the start of the third quarter, the Warriors responded with their own kickoff return touchdown as Feary ran it back 90 yards. Kay-Wong then knocked in the final point of the game.
KSH began to work in its non-starters and a running clock was imposed.
“In the second half, we wanted to allow more learning opportunities for the younger guys,” Wengler said.
About seven minutes into the quarter, the Cowboys made their first stop against the Warriors’ offense. Perez nearly returned the punt to the endzone, but Kay-Wong made a solo tackle to stop him.
The Warriors’ defense then stopped the Cowboys in the redzone.
The fourth quarter saw mostly defensive highlights on both sides. Kohala’s Aukai Reyes notched two interceptions, and KSH’s Paliku Nachor made a TFL, a sack and a pass deflection.
Both teams will face their next DII tests this coming weekend.
KSH, now 2-0 overall and 1-0 in DII, will play away at 7 p.m. on Saturday against Honokaa HS (1-0).
Kohala, 0-1 overall, will host its first home game Saturday at 2 p.m. against Ka‘u HS (0-1).
