Sabers Improve to 2-1 With Win Over KS-Maui
By Rodney S. Yap
The Maui High School football team raised its record to 2-1 Saturday, spoiling Kamehameha Maui’s homecoming in the process.
The Sabers mixed a short-passing game with their solid running attack to build a 21-7 halftime lead, and their defense, which added a score, held the Warriors’ spread offense to 117 yards en route to posting a 27-14 victory.
Onosai Emelio scored Maui High’s first and last touchdowns, both on 1-yard runs, and Chazzaniel Sau broke loose for a 24-yard touchdown as the Sabers finished with 220 yards rushing.
Junior Justin Carvalho started at quarterback for the injured Tyson Takabaysahi and connected with tight end Tristan Nichols three times for 58 yards, including twice on third down to keep Saber scoring drives alive.
Carvalho finished 8-for-10 for 103 yards passing. Emelio had 75 yards rushing on 19 carries, mostly inside the red zone, while sophomore Daniel Kelley added 83 yards on 13 attempts.
Cornerback Andre Pierman put the Sabers up 14-0 with a 48-yard interception return for touchdown with 11 minutes, 17 seconds to play in the second quarter.
Kamehameha Maui quarterback Chase Newton threw two touchdown passes, the first to Keoni Keanini was a 30-yard completion with 6:30 to play in the second quarter and the other was a 34-yard reception to Joshua Hiwatashi with 2:07 to play in the third quarter. Newton scrambled to his right and threw on the run, finding Hiwatashi over the middle in Maui High’s zone coverage.
Maui High’s Jared Kapisi made up for a fumble in the third quarter when he executed a fake punt and ran for a critical first down to extend the Sabers’ final scoring drive. Kapisi also had an interception late in the game that helped preserve the win.
Kamehameha Maui finished the first round 1-3.
Maui High plays Lahainaluna on Friday, Sept. 20, at War Memorial Stadium, beginning at 7 p.m.
Saturday’s MIL Game Summary
Maui High 7 14 0 6—27
Kamehameha Maui 0 7 7 0—14
First Quarter
MH—Onosai Emelio 1 run (Jared Kapisi kick), 4:45.
Second Quarter
MH—Andre Pierman 48 interception return (Kapisi kick), 11:17.
KS—Keoni Keanini 30 pass from Chase Newton (Kailoa Akoi kick), 6:30.
MH—Chazzaniel Sau 24 run (Kapisi kick), 2:16.
Third Quarter
KS—Joshua Hiwatashi 34 pass from Newton (Akoi kick), 2:07.
Fourth Quarter
MH—Emelio 1 run (run failed), 9:22.
Junior varsity-Maui High 35, Kamehameha Maui 6.