It was the second night in a row that a visiting Oahu Interscholastic Association team lost to a neighbor island opponent that ended their post season and hopes for a state championship.
On Friday night it was the Baldwin Bears who knocked off former #1 ranked Farrington on Maui in the first round of the HHSAA DI State Football Championship Playoffs.
Last night, it was the Kapaa Warriors (8-3) knocking off the visiting Pearl City Chargers (9-3) 7-0 in the first round of the HHSAA DII State Football Championship Playoffs at Vidinha Stadium in Lihue. Kapaa carried over an adrenalin rush from last Saturday's thrilling 17-14 win over Waimea that brought the Warriors their first Kauai Interscholastic Federation Football Championship since the early 80's.
Pearl City was trying to rebound from a 9-7 loss to Waipahu for the OIA White Division Football Championship played on Friday, November 4 at Aloha Stadium.
It was the second week in a row that the Chargers game up big on defense holding their last two opponents to a total of 16 points. It was also the second week in a row that the Chargers offense sputtered scoring one touchdown against Waipahu and being shut out against Kapaa last night.
The usual hot hand of Pearl City Chargers QB Kaimi Paredes was held to 109 yards, completing 15 of 29 with no touchdowns. The Pearl City receiving core also had a down night with #8 Shawn Lopez leading all Chargers receivers with 48 yards on 4 receptions.
The Kapaa Warriors offense was most productive on the ground picking up 182 yards led by #10 Bronson Aiwohi who rushed for 83 yards on 15 carries and teammate #25 Cory Somera-Payomo who scored the winning touchdown on a 3 yard run with 10:56 remaining in the fourth quarter. Somera-Payomo finished with 37 yards on 9 carries and one touchdown. Both Aiwohi and Somera-Payomo stepped up after the Warriors leading rusher, Sendreck D'Sio went down with an injury after gaining 37 yards on 7 carries.
The Chargers defense kept the Warriors passing game in check holding Warriors starting QB John Das to 55 yards, completing 6 of 11 and no touchdowns.
Pearl City had a few chances to put points on the scoreboard deep in Kapaa territory with the first opportunity coming in the first quarter with 3:29 on the clock as the Chargers failed to convert on fourth down with the ball on the Kapaa 17 yard line.
In the second quarter, the Chargers had the ball on the Warriors 26 yard line with 9:45 remaining on the clock but a tough Kapaa defensive stand stopped the Chargers on fourth and ten.
The Chargers had another opportunity to get into the end zone again in the fourth quarter with 5:54 remaining in the game but came up empty on fourth and one from the Kapaa 25 yard line.
Kapaa Warriors O-line Coach Brian Derby is also a Pearl City High School graduate and former Chargers and University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors offensive lineman. Derby spoke of how the Kapaa coaching staff kept the team focused on the task ahead in preparing for the Chargers. Also, his feelings as a former Charger, and the pride of seeing his alma mater compete against his Warriors.
"We kept telling the kids all week you gotta believe because Pearl City is one heck of a team, it's a tough team," said Derby. "You know, it was tough for me because it's my alma mater and my nephew plays and I always' loved Pearl City. But you know, I'm loyal to these kids here and I love these kids too. They played tough, the O-line is coming along, they're playing good ball right now."
"We looked at the game saying you better come to play because theses kids are tough," Derby said. "Barboza Scanlan, number 45 and 44, those linebackers are unreal!" I'm proud of these guys. What Coach Kai is doing for Pearl City makes me proud to be from Pearl City," added Derby.
Pearl City Head Coach Kai Kamaka had praise for Kapaa and also wanted to thank his senior Chargers for their leadership, efforts, and success during the 2011 season and looks forward to the programs future built on the standard of football they have set for the underclassmen to perpetuate.
"Kapaa is a great team," said Kamaka. "They just made a couple more plays than we did tonight. I'm proud of our seniors. Troy, Chayse, Jordan, all the seniors showed a lot of leadership on the team. They've carried it this far. They just set a new bar, a new standard that the younger guys can hopefully uphold.
Kapaa advances to semifinals of the HHSAA DII State Football Championship Playoffs to face #1 seed Iolani on Saturday, November 19, 2011 at Eddie Hamada Field on the campus of Iolani High School.
Congratulations to Kapaa Head Coach Kelii Morgado, his coaching staff and especially his team and supporters! Good luck in the semi's!
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Kapaa QB John Das brings the ball down to Pearl City's 3 yard line early in the fourth quarter that set up the winning touchdown by Warriors running back Cory Somera-Payomo.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Pearl City defensive back #2 Shawnson Batungbacal misses the tackle on Kapaa running back Cory Somera-Payomo who went on to score on a 3 yard touchdown run to break a 0-0 tie and put the Warriors up 6-0 over the Chargers.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Kapaa kicker #85 Jonathan Paleka tacks on the extra point attempt to put the Warriors up 7-0 over Pearl City. Paleka kicked the winning field goal in last week's KIF Championship game won by Kapaa 17-14 over Waimea.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
#10 Bronson Aiwohi stepped up big for the Warriors on Saturday rushing for 83 yards on 15 carries against the Chargers.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Kapaa Warriors offensive lineman coach Brian Derby (right) is also a Pearl City High School graduate and former Chargers and University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors offensive lineman. Coach Derby is also the uncle of Chargers running back #32 Noah Derby.