Raiders stun Warriors
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• Photo gallery: High School football Saturday
By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer
Andrew Skalman kicked a 30-yard field goal with 14 seconds remaining last night to lift 'Iolani to a stunning 20-17 victory over Kamehameha in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu opener for both teams at Aloha Stadium.
Kamehameha, ranked No. 3 in The Advertiser's statewide Top 10 poll, fell to 3-1 overall. The defending Division II state champion and 10th-ranked Raiders improved to 3-1.
'Iolani had knocked off perennial DI powerhouse Saint Louis last season, but this was the Raiders' first victory over Kamehameha in at least a decade.
"It feels so go good, it was a team effort," said Skalman, a 5-foot-9, 150-pound safety. "The offense did its job, the defense did its job, special teams did its job ... we played a complete game."
After Skalman's kick, the Warriors started at their own 8-yard line following the ensuing kickoff. A sideline pass went incomplete, and then a Hail Mary throw downfield was batted down as time expired.
Skalman had put 'Iolani up, 10-9, on a 20-yard field goal with 45 seconds left in the third quarter, and the Raiders took a 17-9 lead with 9:57 remaining in the game after Jarrett Arakawa's 61-yard touchdown pass to Bret Christman. The play was set up by Dylan Goto's interception.
Kamehameha tied it 17-17 with 8:21 left on Ryan Ho's 21-yard TD scamper and two-point conversion run.
After the teams traded punts on the following possessions, 'Iolani got the ball back with 5:05 remaining and went 71 yards in 14 plays, ending with Skalman's winning kick.
"We were trying to score (a touchdown)," Raiders coach Wendell Look said. "But we have confidence in Andrew."
Warriors coach David Stant said his team was hurt by costly penalties and turnovers, including a fumble at their own 7-yard line that was recovered by 'Iolani's Cody Petro-Sakuma, setting up Skalman's go-ahead field goal.
"'(The Raiders) are a scary team we beat them 9-0 last year without any offensive touchdowns," Stant said. "But we had too many penalties and turnovers in the wrong places, and 'Iolani is well-coached they're patient enough to wait for the big plays."
Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2456. Read his blog on high school sports at preptalk.honadvblogs.com
'IOLANI (3-1, 1-0) 0 7 3 10 20.
KAMEHAMEHA (3-1, 0-1) 6 3 0 8 17.
KS CHAZ BAJET 62 INTERCEPTION RETURN (RUN FAILED)
KS FG 27 TARRA GABRIEL
'Iol Trevyn Tulonghari 31 pass from Jarrett Arakawa (Andrew Skalman kick)
'IOL FG SKALMAN 20
'Iol Bret Christman 61 pass from Arakawa (Skalman kick)
KS RYAN HO 21 RUN (HO RUN)
'IOL FG SKALMAN 30
RUSHING 'Iolani: Ammon Baldomero 19-74, Arakawa 4-(minus-10). Kamehameha: Ho 20-124, Michael Kukahiwa-Haruno 2-(minus-2), Kupono Park 1-4, TC Campbell 2-12, Blaise Cuban 2-16.
PASSING 'Iolani: Arakawa 13-32-2230. Kamehameha: Kukahiwa-Haruno 3-4-048; Christian Akana 0-1-00; Campbell 4-13-157.
RECEIVING 'Iolani: Tulonghari 7-134, Kevin Barayuga 3-24, Kasey Takahashi 1-16, Christman 1-61, Baldomero 1-7. Kamehameha: Cuban 4-72, Charley Bollig 2-15, Alika Bell 1-18.