Lotulelei’s Four Rushing TDs Lead Sabers Over Warriors

Maui high School’s Hanisi Lotulelei (34) shakes a would-be Warrior tackler en route to scoring his third rushing touchdown of the game Friday at Kamehameha Maui. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.

By Rodney S. Yap

Maui High School’s Hanisi Lotulelei finished with a career high 222 yards rushing and four touchdowns Friday night as the Sabers’ football team spoiled Kamehameha Maui’s senior night with a lopsided 26-7 win.

The Saber senior, who gave up his linebacker position to become the team’s primary running back just before midseason, has been the team’s go-to guy on offense, running for 468 yards in the last three games. Lotulelei has 530 yards and nine touchdowns this season.

Maui High improved to 5-2 overall and 2-1 in the Maui Interscholastic League’s second round. The win sets up a potential Division I second-round title game with Baldwin on Saturday, Oct. 22, at War Memorial Stadium.

The unbeaten and two-time MIL champion Bears (6-0) play Lahainaluna (4-2) tonight at War Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. and the game can be heard live on Maui’s ESPN 900AM.

Maui High defensive back Kainoa Davis (1) breaks up this Kamehameha Maui pass intended for Tyerell Baldonado-Kaleiopu (11) Friday night. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.

The Warriors capped their 2016 season at 2-6.

Lotulelei scored all four Maui High touchdowns, including the game’s first score from five yards away two plays after teammate Mahonri Anitema blocked a Kamehameha Maui punt attempt and Antonio Savou recovered the ball on the Warriors’ 9-yard line.

Anitema and Savou, blocked and recovered the loose ball of another KS-Maui punt attempt in the third quarter. The Sabers’ 3-4 defense wreaked havoc in the Warriors’ backfield all night long with Jamie Fisher, Kahoku Kealoha, and Savou leading the rush from the point of attack.

The back-breaking play of the game was Lotulelei’s second touchdown run, which went for 93 yards and came with 3 minutes, 15 seconds before halftime.

Leading 14-0 at the break, the Sabers extended their lead to 20-0 on Lotulelei’s third rushing touchdown, from 4 yards out to cap Maui High’s first offensive drive of the second half.

Maui High went ahead 26-0 on Lotulelei’s final rushing touchdown from 2 yards away. The Sabers’ two-point try failed.

Kamehameha Maui avoided the shutout when Jayden Delatori returned a fumble 34 yards for a touchdown. The score came with 8:35 to play in the game.

Friday’s Scoring Summary

SABERS 26, WARRIORS 7

At Kanaiaupuni Stadium

Maui High 7 7 6 6—26

KS Maui 0 0 0 7—7

First Quarter

MH—Hanisi Lotulelei 5 run (Kalia Kapisi kick), 9:32.

Second Quarter

MH—Lotulelei 93 run (Kapisi kick), 3:15.

Third Quarter

MH—Lotulelei 4 run (kick failed), 9:19.

Fourth Quarter

MH—Lotulelei 2 run (run failed), 9:33.

KM—Jayden Delatori 34 fumble return (Kealaula Keliikoa kick), 8:35.

JV Result: Maui High 28, Kamehameha Maui 7.

Note: All individual and team statistics were compiled by Rob Collias of The Maui News.