Lunas, Warriors open MIL with victories

By Fred Guzman

Both of the MIL’s Divison-II teams celebrated the opening weekend of league games with lopsided victories.

On Friday, Kamehameha-Maui returned three second-half interceptions for touchdowns – including a pair by Pono Freitas — in a 40-2 romp past Maui High. The Warriors’ defense relied on its superior quickness to force seven turnovers and limit Maui High to 48 yards in total offense.

On Saturday, TJ Rickard threw for two touchdowns and ran for another as Lahainaluna steadily pulled away for a 35-12 road victory over King Kekaulike.

It was actually a close game late in the first half, with Na Alii seemingly headed for a tying TD. But Jacob Kenolio-Dusenberry returned a fumble 86-yards for a back-breaking score with 31 seconds left before intermission for a 13-0 edge.

In a non-league game played on Friday, Baldwin suffered a 42-20 loss to visiting Southern California power San Clemente, ranked tenth in football hotbed Orange County.

The Tritons capitalized on early turnovers to take a 28-0 lead before Baldwin settled down and responded with some big plays of its own to make things relatively interesting. Among those was a 99-yard kickoff return by Ceejay Santos. But, San Clemente immediately responded with a 79-yard kickoff return of its own.

This week’s schedule: Maui High faces the Lunas at War Memorial Stadium on Friday. Two games are set for Saturday. Kamehameha will host a non-league game against La Jolla Country Day School and Baldwin visits King Kekaulike.