The Kaiser Cougars brought their OIA White Division league leading 6-0 record against Pearl City last night at Pearl City High School's Edwin "Bino" Neves Stadium and came away with a 31-6 win that earned the Cougars the regular season title and top seed in the upcoming OIA White playoffs.
Kaiser found themselves in a battle with a tough Pearl City defense that has stopped their opponents in their tracks this season while building a reputation around the league as being as tough as nails, well coached, and riding a five game winning streak.
"By far our toughest battle in the league," said Kaiser Cougars Head Coach Rich Miano. "These guys play with so much confidence and toughness and we knew that after winning five games straight that they were going to believe that they can win and they certainly did that. They were physical and well coached as anyone in this division. My hat goes off to Rob and his staff and Pearl City because they made it real interesting. They'll make us a better football team, but they're a good football team."
The Chargers held the Cougars to 10 points in the first half. Kaiser led at the half 10-6. Unfamiliar ground for a team that has literally run over OIA White Division competition this season.
'We haven't had that in a long time, Miano said. "To be honest with you, some of our coaches were panicking, and some of our players were panicking. They haven't been in that type of game and it's good to be in that type of game because football is football. When you get a team that believes they can win and executes what they're supposed to do, and they executed. Their defense just really shut down our offense and we've been scoring seventy points a game. They were well coached and well prepared. I can't say anything but positives."
Pearl City Chargers Head Coach Robin Kami was proud of his team's performance overall and is looking forward to finishing out the regular season next week Friday on the road at Radford and heading off to the playoffs the following week.
"We played a good game," said Coach Kami. "The first half was real good, the second half we kind of wore down a little bit, but overall they played hard. I'm proud of them. Going into the half we had the momentum, but the second half we came out a little bit sluggish, but we'll be alright. The main thing is we're in the playoffs. Anything can happen in the playoffs. We might see them again."
The Chargers defense held the powerful and explosive Cougars offense to a net 272. The Chargers gained a net 126 yards of offense against the Cougars defense. The Chargers defense also contained the potent Kaiser ground game holding the Cougars to 71 rushing yards. The Cougars showed why they are the #1 ranked defense in the league stuffing the Pearl City running to a net 13 yards.
Kaiser QB Kahoali'i Karratti completed 14 of 21 for 224 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.
Pearl City QB Jordan Taamu completed 11 of 19 for 120 yards and an interception.
The Chargers will have a tough challenge against Radford next while Kaiser finishes up the regular season against Kalaheo.
Kaiser, Pearl City, Radford and Kalani have all qualified for the OIA White Division Championship Tournament with Kaiser taking the top seed and 2,3,4 to be determined after next week's games. The championship tournament winner and runner-up both qualify for the HHSAA DII State Football Championship Tournament.
Go Chargers!
@ Pearl City High School
Kaiser (7-1, 7-0) 7 3 14 7 31
Pearl City (5-3, 5-2) 0 6 0 0 6
Photo by Barry Villamil | barry@mypearlcity.com
Kaiser kicker Matt Sai converts the PAT following Parker Higgins 5 yard touchdown run with 11:11
on the clock in the first quarter.
Photo by Barry Villamil | barry@mypearlcity.com
Kristian Vaana Kikuyama picks off Kaiser QB Kahoali'i Karratti deep in Pearl City territory with 8:44 on
the clock in the second quarter and returns it to the 42 yard line.
Photo by Barry Villamil | barry@mypearlcity.com
Pearl City moves the ball down to the Kaiser 19 yard line on a pass thrown by Pearl City QB Jordan
Taamu to Blake Cooper with 7:06 on the clock in the second quarter.
Photo by Barry Villamil | barry@mypearlcity.com
Justin Dupio brings the ball down to the Kaiser one yard line.
Photo by Barry Villamil | barry@mypearlcity.com
Blake Cooper scores off tackle from the one yard line The Chargers missed the two point
conversion attempt. Pearl City trailed 7-6.
Photo by Barry Villamil | barry@mypearlcity.com
Matt Sai kicks a field goal in the second quarter to give the Cougars a 10-6 lead at the half.
Photo by Barry Villamil | barry@mypearlcity.com
Destin Moss catches a 19 yard touchdown pass from Kaiser QB Kahoali'i Karratti to put the
Cougars up 17-6 after the PAT by Matt Sai with 4:57 on the clock in the third quarter.
Photo by Barry Villamil | barry@mypearlcity.com
Kaiser running back Thomas Leong scores the Cougars third touchdown on a 7 yard run at
3:48 of the third quarter that put Kaiser up 24-7 after the PAT by Matt Sai.
Photo by Barry Villamil | barry@mypearlcity.com
Kaiser QB Kahoali'i Karratti connects with Jonah Saio on a 29 yard touchdown pass to put
the Cougars up 30-6 with 1:30 left on the clock in the fourth quarter.
Photo by Barry Villamil | barry@mypearlcity.com
Matt Sai nails the PAT after Jonah Saio's touchdown reception to put the Cougars up 31-6.
Photo by Barry Villamil | barry@mypearlcity.com
Pearl City Chargers Head Coach Robin Kami and Kaiser Cougars Head Coach Rich Miano
congratulate each other at mid field following the game won by the Cougars 31-6.
Photo by Barry Villamil | barry@mypearlcity.com
Kristian Vaana-Kikuyama pictured congratulating his teammates for playing hard and as one.
Congratulations!
2013-2014 Chargers Senior Class
Photo by Barry Villamil | barry@mypearlcity.com
Photo by Barry Villamil | barry@mypearlcity.com
Photo by Barry Villamil | barry@mypearlcity.com
Photo by Barry Villamil | barry@mypearlcity.com
Photo by Barry Villamil | barry@mypearlcity.com
Chargers Senior Cheerleaders
Photo by Barry Villamil | barry@mypearlcity.com
Photo by Barry Villamil | barry@mypearlcity.com
Photo by Barry Villamil | barry@mypearlcity.com
Photo by Barry Villamil | barry@mypearlcity.com
JUNIOR VARSITY
KAISER 38
PEARL CITY 6
Photo by Barry Villamil | barry@mypearlcity.com