Pearl City QB Jordan Taamu connected with wide receiver Israel Kaleo on a 9 yard touchdown pass followed by a successful 2-point conversion pass catch with 2:17 on the clock in the fourth quarter that broke a 26-26 tie and proved to be the game winning combination as the Chargers beat the Radford Rams 34-26 on Saturday, September 20 at Aiea High School.
The win kept the Chargers undefeated at 5-0 in the Oahu Interscholastic Association Division 2 standings. Radford (4-1) got bumped out of first place after suffering their first league loss of the regular season. Pearl City's win over Radford sets up a showdown for first place in the division with undefeated Nanakuli (5-0) next week Friday, September 26 at the Golden Hawks home field.
Taamu contributed in a big way to lead the powerful, long distance Chargers air attack completing 21 of 32 for 247 yards and 3 touchdowns. Taamu also rushed for 38 yards on 5 carries.
Dominic Maneafaiga picked up 107 yards on 18 carries with 1 touchdown for the Chargers. Maneafaiga also caught 3 passes for 68 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Israel Kaleo caught 3 passes for 39 yards which included the game winning touchdown and successful 2-point conversion reception for the Chargers.
Chyson Gasper caught 3 passes for 34 yards for the Chargers.
Radford's platoon QB system passed for 245 yards and 3 touchdowns. Quintas Ward completed 9 of 15 for 186 yards and 2 touchdowns with one interception. Andrew Morgan completed 8 of 11 for 59 yards and 1 touchdown.
Thomas Reid hauled in 6 catches for 111 yards and 1 touchdown to lead the Rams receiving core. Solomon Loggins caught 2 passes for 70 yards and 1 touchdown. Justin Lugo caught 6 passes for 45 yards.
Dylan Frank caught 1 pass for 11 yards and 1 touchdown. Frank's touchdown pass reception from QB Andrew Morgan opened scoring in the first quarter that gave the Rams an early 6-0 lead.
Chance Cacatian led Radfords ground game rushing for 44 yards on 15 carries with 1 touchdown.
SCORING SUMMARY
1st Quarter
Pearl City found themselves down early as Radford struck first on an 11 yard touchdown pass from Andrew Morgan to Dylan Frank with 9:29 on the clock. PAT failed.
The Chargers came back to tie the game on an 8 yard touchdown run by Jarrett Sanchez at 8:24 of the first quarter. PAT failed.
Pearl City broke the tie at 12-6 at 5:21 of the first quarter on a 55 yard touchdown toss from Jordan Taamu to Dominic Maneafaiga. 2-point conversion pass failed.
2nd Quarter
Pearl City went up 20-6 at 6:07 on a 9 yard touchdown reception from Taamu to Maneafaiga and a Taamu 2-point conversion run.
Radford scored at 3:03 in the quarter on a 34 yard touchdown reception by Solomon Loggins from Andrew Morgan. 2-point conversion attempt failed. 20-12 Pearl City.
3rd Quarter
Radford pulled within 2 points of the Chargers lead at 20-18 after scoring on a 50 yard touchdown pass from Quintas Ward to Thomas Reid with 4:37 on the clock. 2-point conversion run failed.
Pearl City scored with 0:00 on the clock on a 10 yard touchdown run by Dominic Maneafaiga. 2-point conversion run failed. Pearl City 26-18.
4th Quarter
Radford tied the ball game at 26-26 on a 1 yard touchdown run by Chance Cacatian with 9:50 on the clock and successful 2-point conversion pass reception by Quntas Ward.
Jordan Taamu connects with Israel Kaleo on a 9 yard touchdown pass in the right corner of the end zone to break the 26-26 tie at 2:17 of the quarter. Taamu and Kaleo connected again on a 2-point conversion pass to put the Chargers up 34-26.
Pearl City strong safety Joseph Komomua sealed the victory after picking off Radford QB Quintas Ward with 1:55 remaining on the game clock.
Radford had on more chance to get into the end zone but came up short after getting ball back on a change of possession after the Chargers failed to convert on 4th and 1 at the Chargers 46 yard line with 47 seconds on the game clock.
Congratulations and Go Chargers!
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Radford's Dylan Frank cruises through the end zone after scoring the Ram's first touchdown on an 11 yard
touchdown pass from Andrew Morgan with 9:29 on the clock in the 1st quarter. The Ram's missed the PAT.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
#18 Jarrett Sanchez is surrounded by teammates after scoring the Chargers
first touchdown on an 8 yard TD run that tied the score at 6-6 in the first quarter.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Dominic Maneafaiga breaks the 6-6 tie on a 55 yard touchdown reception from Jordan Taamu
with 5:21 on the clock in the first quarter. Maneafaiga rushed for 107 yards on 18 carries with
1 touchdown for the Chargers. Maneafaiga also caught 3 passes for 68 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Radford Rams wide receiver Thomas Reid hauled in 6 catches for 111 yards and
1 touchdown. Reid scored on a 50 yard touchdown pass from Quintas Ward with 4:37 on
the clock in the 3rd quarter that brought the Rams within 2 points of the Chargers at 20-18.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Jordan Taamu and Dominic Maneafaiga are pictured in the zone after Maneafaiga put
the Chargers up 26-18 on a 10 yard touchdown run as time expired in the 3rd quarter.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Pearl City strong safety Joseph Komomua came up big for the Chargers defense after picking off
Radford QB Quintas Ward around mid-field with 1:55 remaining on the game clock in 4th quarter.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
The Chargers defense was tasked with keeping the Rams duo QB
offense in check with constant pressure. Rams QB Quintas Ward gets off a
pass just in time while in the grasp of Pearl City linebacker Duane Tom.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Radford Rams QB Andrew Morgan throws a pass in the 1st quarter. Radford's platoon QB
system passed or 245 yards and 3 touchdowns. Quintas Ward completed 9 of 15 for 186 yards and
2 touchdowns with one interception. Andrew Morgan completed 8 of 11 for 59 yards and 1 touchdown.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Pearl City QB Jordan Taamu guided the Chargers offense with precision and poise. Taamu completing 21 of
2 for 247 yards and 3 touchdowns. Taamu also rushed for 38 yards on 5 carries. Most importantly, Taamu's
senior leadership continues to inspire his teammates while defining Charger Pride on and off the field.
GO CHARGERS!
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
I would to say mahalo to Annetta Lelie, mother of Ashley Lelie who is a former Radford Ram,
UH Warrior, and NFL star. Annetta attended Saturday's Radford vs. Pearl City football game in
support of the Rams. It was an honor to have the opportunity to chat with Annetta during halftime.
She's has a wonderful spirit and big heart!