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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, October 29, 2006

Kaimuki runs past Kaiser in 26-13 win

By Kyle Sakamoto
Advertiser Staff Writer

Kaimuki ran its version of power ball to beat host Kaiser, 26-13, Friday night in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association White Division semifinals.

The Bulldogs rushed 26 times for 202 yards and two touchdowns in the second half primarily out of a power I formation.

Kaimuki quarterback Stephen Harris threw two touchdown passes in the first half, but had only one pass attempt in the second half — an incompletion late in the third quarter.

Keone Reyes, a 5-foot-11, 250-pound running back, rushed six times for 26 yards and a pair of 5-yard touchdown runs in the second half.

Dolly Ainuu led Kaimuki (6-3-1) with 11 rushes for 111 yards, and Harris carried 13 times for 97 yards.

"We have a bunch of tough kids that really want to win," Kaimuki coach Daniel Mafua said. "We just throw the plays out and they execute. They did a good job tonight."

In the power I, Reyes and Maua Tuitele aligned behind Harris, and Ainuu was the deep back.

"I love it. Get the ball and turn it up and go," Ainuu said.

Kaimuki will play the winner of tonight's game between Waipahu and Waialua in the OIA White final Nov. 10 at Aloha Stadium.

"These kids' desire to get to the next level as far as here in the White Division and going into the championship game now ... a lot of credit goes to how they're starting to jell as a team," Mafua said.

Added Ainuu: "We just play hard as a team. We practiced hard all week. This is what we practice for, going to the stadium."

Kaimuki handed Kaiser (6-3-1) its only two league losses this season. The Bulldogs beat the Cougars, 7-0, on Sept. 29.

"They have our number," Kaiser coach Pat Samsonas said.

Kaimuki led 13-3 at halftime after Harris threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to James Bower and an 81-yard strike to Ainuu.

Kaiser quarterback Skylar Chan injured his leg midway through the third quarter, but Laakea Awong came on and provided a spark.

Samsonas said Chan "might have torn some stuff in there."

Awong, a sophomore, completed his first three passes to help set up Kyle Niiro's 36-yard field goal with 4:34 left in the third to make it 13-6.

Reyes scored his first touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter, but Kaiser responded with a 50-yard touchdown pass from Awong to Isaac Saffery to make it 20-13 with 10:59 left.

Reyes scored on the ensuing possession to make it 26-13 with 9:54 remaining.

KAIMUKI (6-2) 7 6 0 13—26

KAISER (6-2) 0 3 3 7—13

Kaim — James Bower 7 pass from Stephen Harris (Perry Faleao kick)

Kaim — Dolly Ainuu 81 pass from Harris (kick blocked)

Kais — FG Kyle Niiro 49

Kais — FG Niiro 36

Kaim — Keone Reyes 5 run (Faleao kick)

Kais — Isaac Saffery 50 pass from Laakea Awong (Niiro kick)

Kaim — Reyes 5 run (kick blocked)

RUSHING — Kaimuki: Ainuu 11-111, Harris 13-97, Makalii Nahinu 2-15, Bower 3-13, Maua Tuitele 4-17, Faleao 4-13, Joshwa Salvador 1-35, Reyes 6-25, Team 1-(minus 1). Kaiser: Saffery 10-52, Skylar Chan 10-49, Awong 1-(minus 10).

PASSING — Kaimuki: Harris 4-12-1—103. Kaiser: Chan 5-14-0—37, Awong 5-12-0—97.

RECEIVING — Kaimuki: Bower 2-19, Ainuu 1-81, Faleao 1-3. Kaiser: Kelii Maikui 3-24, Sid Slom 3-19, Saffery 1-50, Jake Esteban 2-11, Kalua Noa 1-30.

Reach Kyle Sakamoto at ksakamoto@honoluluadvertiser.com.